Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian Olympic Committee Unaware Of Harassment, Says Interim President

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Oct, 2015 10:59 AM
  • Canadian Olympic Committee Unaware Of Harassment, Says Interim President
CALGARY — Defending its operations, apologizing to victims and promoting internal reforms, the Canadian Olympic Committee has entered damage-control mode in the wake of president Marcel Aubut's resignation.
 
Aubut stepped down on the weekend after women accused him of sexual comments and unwanted touching.
 
Interim president Tricia Smith told reporters on a conference call Tuesday the COC board was "not aware of any specific interactions that would be construed as harassment."
 
But the lawyer and four-time Olympic rower, who has been a COC vice-president since 2009, was repeatedly asked if the board turned a blind eye to Aubut's behaviour.
 
La Presse and the Globe and Mail both reported a letter written to Aubut in 2011 indicated high-ranking people in the organization were uncomfortable with Aubut's conduct towards women.
 
Smith insisted the board did not know about the letter, but also said an independent body has been asked to "look into the circumstances of the June 2011, letter to understand what happened, what steps were taken and why."
 
An employee lodged a harassment complaint with the COC, but withdrew it with Aubut's resignation. Smith says the COC is fielding no other official complaints at this time, but other women have given interviews to Quebec media accusing Aubut of sexually harassing them.
 
One of them was Montreal lawyer Amelia Salehabadi-Fouques, who is on the Canadian Soccer Association's board.
 
None of the allegations have been proven in court and there is no criminal investigation of Aubut.
 
Aubut apologized to "those who may have been offended by my behaviour" in a statement announcing his resignation Saturday.
 
"I realize that my attitude could at times be perceived as questionable by some women and could have caused them to feel uncomfortable," he said. "I acknowledge this and will adjust my behaviour accordingly."
 
The COC is among the most powerful sports organizations in the country with influence over dozens of Olympians and their coaches and national sport federations. It boasts millions of dollars in corporate sponsorships.
 
With the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro less than a year away, the COC has a job to do restoring its reputation and athletes' confidence in it, particularly because Aubut stamped his personality so heavily on the Olympic movement in Canada. 
 
"These things should never have happened," Smith said. "We hold ourselves to a high standard at the COC, but when events like this occur, it becomes obvious we can do better."
 
"Whatever the cause, or whoever the reason, we all have to own this."
 
The COC has hired Toronto employment lawyer and human resource expert Christine Thomlinson to conduct an internal review of existing policies and make recommendations for improvement, Smith said.
 
"One particular challenge will be to ensure any victim of harassment, sexual or otherwise, can feel comfortable coming forward with the complaint if they feel mistreated," she said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to be heard."
 
Thomlinson will report to the COC board, said Smith, who "will make the conclusions and recommendations public."

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal Government Should Invest $3.3Billion Into Health Care For Seniors: Report

Federal Government Should Invest $3.3Billion Into Health Care For Seniors: Report
In the next five years, the price would jump to $17.5 billion as boomers put an ever-increasing strain on the Canadian health-care system.

Federal Government Should Invest $3.3Billion Into Health Care For Seniors: Report

Syrian Refugee Says There's 'no Hope' For Families Who Want To Reunite In Canada

Syrian Refugee Says There's 'no Hope' For Families Who Want To Reunite In Canada
VANCOUVER — Majd Agha wasn't sure what he would say to a crowd of reporters gathered outside a newcomer centre under construction in Vancouver.

Syrian Refugee Says There's 'no Hope' For Families Who Want To Reunite In Canada

Study On B.C. First Nations Stone Tools Finds Glacier Brought Mountain To Man

Study On B.C. First Nations Stone Tools Finds Glacier Brought Mountain To Man
First Nations in British Columbia were once believed to have travelled long distances to find prized volcanic rock for tools, but a new study of an ancient village suggests the mountain actually came to them.

Study On B.C. First Nations Stone Tools Finds Glacier Brought Mountain To Man

Smell From Richard Oland's Office Was 'Nauseating,' Witness Tells Murder Trial

Smell From Richard Oland's Office Was 'Nauseating,' Witness Tells Murder Trial
Preston Chiasson was at Printing Plus below Richard Oland's office in Saint John, N.B., on July 7, 2011, when the victim's secretary, Maureen Adamson, came into the shop looking for help.

Smell From Richard Oland's Office Was 'Nauseating,' Witness Tells Murder Trial

Statistics Canada Says Wholesale Sales Unchanged In July At $55.4Billion

Economists had expected a gain of 0.7 per cent, according to Thomson Reuters.

Statistics Canada Says Wholesale Sales Unchanged In July At $55.4Billion

Darpan's 6th Annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards Winner Announced In A Glitzy Gala

Darpan's 6th Annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards Winner Announced In A Glitzy Gala
Ten amazing individuals from the South Asian community were recognized for their extraordinary achievements and for reflecting their heritage in a remarkable way.

Darpan's 6th Annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards Winner Announced In A Glitzy Gala