Ontario’s minister of tourism, culture and sport says an independent investigation into the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) is in the works.
The announcement, which came during question period Tuesday in Toronto, comes after Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles asked the provincial government to launch an investigation into the GTHL over allegations of teams being sold for large sums of money.
“I am calling on the provincial government to launch an investigation into these very serious allegations and do its part to end cash-for-access culture in amateur hockey,” Stiles said.
“I am also calling on them to close any loopholes that the owners of these shell companies may have exploited.”
Neil Lumsden, the province’s minister of tourism, culture and sport said the GTHL has hired a retired justice from the Ontario Court of Appeal and a retired police detective to conduct the investigation.
Lumsden said the ministry “does not have a direct relationship with membered organizations as a provincial sports organizations,” but as the GTHL is a member of the Ontario Hockey Federation, there is “action being taken.
“There is information that we need to follow up with the Ontario Hockey Federation, we will do exactly that … we will act based on the information we get from the investigation,” he said.
Allegations centre on team sale
Stiles was joined by MPP Jennie Stevens and former NHL player Akim Aliu at a news conference held Tuesday morning in response to a TSN report where a prospective buyer detailed negotiations to purchase a minor hockey team for $375,000.
Aliu was disappointed in Lumsden’s response.
“I think what’s needed is a government investigation into what’s going on because we’re talking about potential of tax evasion and illegal activity in the space,” he told The Canadian Press.
According to the TSN report, which cites an anonymous prospective buyer of a GTHL team, the buyer was advised on how he could get around league rules that mandate teams cannot be bought or sold because they are non-profits. CBC News has not independently verified the information reported by TSN.
The GTHL has A, AA and AAA teams across the Greater Toronto Area and is the largest minor hockey organization in the world, according to its website. There are 46 GTHL alumni skating in the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, according to the league’s website, eight of them with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In a statement published to its website, the GTHL said it is aware of the allegations of team sales.
The league added it has launched an investigation led by former police detective Michael A. Davis and overseen by a retired Ontario judge. Davis is a 32-year-veteran of the Toronto Police Service, according to his website. The GTHL statement does not name the retired judge.
League won’t approve transfer if ‘inappropriate’ transactions found
The league won’t approve the transfer of control of an organization if there is an inappropriate financial transaction involved, the statement said.
“The GTHL, as with any sport governing body, relies on the good faith of Club and Team Officials to be forthright in providing relevant information to the GTHL,” it added.
Neil Lumsden said the investigation is taking place separate of GTHL executives. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)
Stiles said there appears to be a cash for access culture in the GTHL, where wealthy parents can pay for their kid’s spot on a roster.
Aliu said he thinks children in the GTHL are being used as pawns by adults looking to cash in on unrealistic dreams.
“What’s happening right now with our game is a national embarrassment on so many levels,” he said. “I believe anybody who continues to stay silent on these topics is complicit.”
Lumsden said young athletes competing in amateur sports should be judged on their playing abilities and their character, and nothing else.
“If there are other things going on as being suggested, we will find that out through this investigation,” he said.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
