Hockey Canada CEO and board step down

After days of major sponsors pulling their support from Hockey Canada, major changes are coming to the sport’s national governing body.

On Tuesday, the organization announced Chief Executive Officer Scott Smith will be leaving the top job, and the entire board will also be stepping down.

The announcement came after the organization had been scrutinized over how it handled sexual assault allegations and how registration funds were used.

There have been calls for Smith to step down for months, but the organization was steadfast that he should remain in his role.

Last week Andrea Skinner, interim Hockey Canada board chair, defended the organization and its leadership, saying that if the leaders were removed, she wouldn’t know if the lights would stay on at rinks across the country.

Skinner resigned from her position last Saturday.

An interim management committee will be put in place, Hockey Canada said.

The board members will not seek re-election and will fulfill their fiduciary duties until a new board is elected. A virtual election is set for Dec. 17.