Weekly Rights Digest (May 26-June 1)

27 May 2024

Ontario Court of Appeal (23 May 2024)

R. v. B.R., 2024 ONCA 424 (CanLII)

Keywords: Soccer, Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Ontario

"At the time of the incident involving M.L., the appellant was 34 years old, whereas M.L. was 15 years old. The appellant had previously been M.L.’s English teacher and soccer coach. The charges stemmed from a meeting between the appellant and M.L. at a time when he was teaching at another school. There was no dispute that, in the spring of 2017, the appellant met M.L. at a shopping mall, drove her to a Starbucks, and then to his condominium”… Read More

28 May 2024

Fallon Hewitt, Hamilton Spectator

Interval House Hamilton leading education effort on gender-based violence

Keywords: Education, Masculinity, Violence Against Women, Locker Room Culture, ontario

“A Hamilton women’s shelter is spearheading a provincewide effort aimed at flipping the script on the kinds of conversations that happen in high school change rooms. Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced that Interval House of Hamilton had been given nearly $875,000 in funding to help certify more than 20 violence-against-women agencies across the province in the Coaching Boys into Men program. Those agencies will then work with their local school boards to train roughly 400 coaches and teachers to deliver the programming to students ages 12 and up through sports, according to a media release”… Read More

28 May 2024

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (23 May 2024)

K.K. v. Hockey Northwestern Ontario, 2024 HRTO 725 (CanLII)

Keywords: Ontario, Hockey, COVID, Creed

“This Application alleges discrimination with respect to goods, services and facilities because of creed contrary to the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended (the “Code”). The Application was filed by the Litigation Guardian (the “applicant”) on behalf of their child (the “applicant child”). Specifically, the Application alleges that the applicant child was discriminated against in the enforcement of a vaccination policy which did not allow for an exemption due to the applicant child’s creed”…Read More

29 May 2024

Kendall Hanson, Chek News

Sex assault trial begins in Nanaimo for junior hockey league player

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Hockey, British Columbia

“A BC Supreme Court trial has begun at the Nanaimo courthouse for a junior hockey player accused of sexual assault. Kenneth Boychuk, who is now 19, was playing with the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League‘s (VIJHL) Nanaimo Buccaneers when he was accused of sexually assaulting a girl in her home”… Read More

30 May 2024

Karena Walter, The Standard (St. Catherines)

New ASL signs posted in St. Catharines parks

Keywords: Accessability, Inclusion, American Sign Language, Ontario

"St. Catharines is installing American Sign Language information throughout its parks after rolling out the signage at city recreational facilities last year. The signage depicts the ASL alphabet and common ASL signs and was launched at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie last week"...Read More

30 May 2024

Jason Malloy, Annapolis Valley Register

All girls’ team ready to play ball

Keywords: Baseball, Nova Scotia, Inclusion, Sex, Gender

"The first Annapolis Valley girls’ teams hit the field in 2023 with squads playing in Centreville and West Hants. This year, there’s two 14-andunder teams in West Hants and one in Kentville plus at least one under-12 squad. Zoe and Addisyn Garby both played on co-ed teams before deciding to play on the girls’ team when it was formed. They said being on a team with their friends was a big selling point"...Read More

30 May 2024

Tara Bradbury, The Telegram (St. John's)

Another Delay for Markus Hicks

Keywords: Volleyball, Coach, Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Child Luring, Newfoundland

"Accused sexual pred­ator Markus Hicks is not yet ready to enter pleas to more of his charges, a pro­vin­cial court judge heard Wed­nes­day. Hicks’ law­yer, Jason Edwards, said he has received the dis­clos­ure in the case he’s been wait­ing for, but needs more time to review it with his cli­ent. Edwards asked for a three-week post­pone­ment. Hicks, 32, will return to court June 21. Edwards noted Hicks’ case isn't stalled: in April, Hicks entered not guilty pleas to most of his 150 charges of sexual viol­ence, and has elec­ted a trial by pro­vin­cial court judge, which has been sched­uled to begin at the end of the year. Hicks has yet to enter pleas to his most recent 63 charges, which were laid in March"...Read More

Weekly Rights Digest (May 19-25)

21 May 2024

Conférence des arbitres du Québec (16 May 2024)

Syndicat du personnel de soutien des Hautes-Rivières (CSN) v Centre de services scolaire des Hautes-Rivières, 2024 CanLII 44386 (QC SAT).

Keywords: Voie de fait, football, spectateur, casier judiciaire, Quebec

<< M. Voyer témoigne sur le dernier incident survenu au campus McGill lors d’un match des Alouettes. Il est un fan et membre des Alouettes depuis leur arrivée au stade McGill. Depuis le tout début, il a la permission d’installer un mât télescopique à son siège avec au bout le drapeau de l’équipe. Il a selon lui un droit acquis. Il connaît très bien le patron des gardiens de sécurité qui est devenu un ami au cours des années. Il va souvent s’assoir avec lui lors des matchs. La journée de l’événement, un nouvel agent de sécurité lui demande d’enlever son mât. L’agent  tire sur son mât pour le lui enlever. Il  retient fermement son mât en aluminium. D’un coup sec, le mât se plie en deux et malencontreusement le gardien de sécurité est frappé par le mât au-dessus de l’arcade sourcilière et se met à saigner. Il le rejoint quelques minutes plus tard pour s’excuser et lui donne des mouchoirs papier pour s’essuyer. Il n’a jamais voulu attaquer cette personne avec son mât. Il témoigne que la moitié des spectateurs pourraient le certifier. Il a plaidé coupable afin de se sauver des milliers de dollars en frais d’avocat. Il n’a pas le salaire d’un avocat pour se défendre. Il avait déjà un dossier de voies de faits et considérait que ça ne lui nuirait pas plus. >> Plus

22 May 2024

Canadian Press, Today in BC

Indigenous CBC employee’s racism claims to be heard by human-rights tribunal

Keywords: Hockey, Media, Discrimination, Indigenous, British Columbia

"Documents filed with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal detail several instances in which Agecoutay said he was denied work. The key allegation stems from 2012, when his complaint says a less-experienced white employee was chosen over him for a senior position at Hockey Night in Canada"...Read More

22 May 2024

Christl Dabu, CTV News

'Holy moly, that's me!': Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair gets her own Barbie

Keywords: Barbie, Gender, Sex, Inclusivity, Soccer

"Legendary Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair is now immortalized with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll that looks just like her. Mattel, Inc., the maker of the iconic dolls, celebrated Barbie's 65th anniversary by recognizing nine athletes from around the world who broke barriers for women in sports, including the Canadian soccer legend, with role model dolls made in their likeness. Only one doll modelled after each athlete exists, so they aren't for sale"...Read More

22 May 2024

Daniel Ramos, Toronto Star

Brampton hockey coach charged with sexual exploitation, child luring

Keywords: Sexual Exploitation, Child Luring, Hockey, Coach, Ontario

"A hockey coach from Brampton has been charged in a sexual exploitation investigation involving two young persons. Peel Regional Police reportedly received information on April 16 that two young people who played in a local hockey league were allegedly sexually exploited and lured by their coach"... Read More

22 May 2024

Tara Bradbury, The Telegram (St. John's)

If the justice system can’t keep us safe, what else is there?’

Keywords: Survivors, Court Reform, Sexual Assault

"Hogan hasn’t elaborated on other areas of focus for the court review. His department has heard many calls in recent years – and especially in recent months – for an overhaul of the legal system when it comes to sexual violence and intimate-partner violence, and victims and advocates hope some of those issues will be part of the court review. In March, the province was presented with a petition signed by victims of sexual violence, describing a failure of the system for them"...Read More

23 May 2024

Court of Quebec

R. v. Gagnon, 2024 QCCQ 4505 (CanLII)

Keywords: Rugby, Sexual Assault, Ormstown Saracens Rugby Football Club, Quebec

"The parties met through a sporting activity: both played for the Ormstown Saracens Rugby Football Club (Saracens). The complainant with the women’s team, the accused with the men’s team. The first event took place in June during the annual Ormstown Fair (Fair). Players were acting volunteers on the site in exchange of a contribution by the Fair given to their rugby Association. At the end of one evening, the complainant states that the accused lured her in a secluded part of an open field on the site and forced a non-consensual sexual relation. The accused admits that a sexual relation took place, but that it was consensual. The last event took place during fall in New-Jersey in the complainant’s hotel room when both teams were participating in the New York Sevens Rugby tournament (Sevens). He would have entered her room uninvited while she was sleeping, got in her bed and started fondling her breasts and genitals before she woke up, protested and asked him to leave which he did. The accused denies that it ever occurred." Read More

23 May 2024

Supreme Court of Newfoundland

R. v. Power, 2024 NLSC 70 (CanLII)

Keywords: Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Minor, Figure Skating

 “Constable Harnum’s testimony provided an overview of the investigation in this matter.  According to her evidence, the investigation commenced in early January of 2021, when J.F. reported to Constable Tara Lynch that J.F.’s 16-year-old daughter, S.F., had received inappropriate messages and images from her skating coach, Matthew Power."...Read More

24 May 2024

Quebec Court of Appeal

Lemieux c. R., 2024 QCCA 631 (CanLII)

Keywords: Sexual Exploitation, Hockey, Tennis, Badminton, Skiing, Bicycle, Soccer, Coach

“Since X lived near the appellant’s home, he often travelled to school in the appellant’s car, sometimes in the company of other students, but more often alone. The appellant offered him gifts such as skis, tennis rackets, badminton rackets and a bicycle. They went to Montreal to attend a hockey game during the Stanley Cup finals"...Read More

24 May 2024

Rocco Frangione, North Bay Nugget

Burk’s Falls councillor says Toronto Blue Jays’ programs get more kids into sports

Keywords: Baseball, Toronto Blue Jays, Accessibility

"Baptiste has now been dealing with the Jays for a little more than a year and fully supports their inclusivity initiatives...And in the spirit of inclusivity, Baptiste says the Jays recently provided equipment under its Challenge Baseball program to engage young boys and girls with developmental abilities in the sport"...Read More

24 May 2024

The Guardian (Charlottetown)

New recreation centre for Abegweit First Nation

Keywords: Indigenous, Environment, Infrastructure, Green and Inclusive Community Buildings

"Abegweit First Nation members in P.E.I. are getting a new recreation centre for gathering and sharing Mi'kmaw culture. The provincial and federal governments are contributing a combined $17 million through the green and inclusive community buildings (GICB) program for the new centre slated for construction in Scotchfort. The net-zero facility will be connected to the new Abegweit Connects community building, serving as a warming and cooling centre for all residents in the area in times of need. It will also provide a new space for sports games, year-round Mawi'omi celebrations and other regional events, helping Islanders to connect with Mi'kmaw language and storytelling"...Read More

24 May 2024

Laurice Gomes, Calgary Herald

Inglewood pool to have last splash in December due to costly repairs

Keywords: Accessibilty, Inclusivity, Infrasctructure, Swimming

"Early next year, council will be presented a long-term vision for inclusive, accessible and sustainable recreation services, Johnson said. The plan will raise awareness that city-operated aquatic and fitness facilities continue to require significant investment in repair, modernization and replacement"...Read More

Weekly Rights Digest (May 12-18)

13 May 2024

Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner

‘Autumn is a dynamic force for change’: Peterborough teen recognized as one of Canada’s top changemakers

Keywords: Rugby, Inclusion, Women and Girls

Autumn Hanak has been recognized as one of Canada’s top young changemakers…She received the Sporting Chance Award for Play and Physical Activity, presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart. Last spring, Hanak started a program called Play Rugby Like a Girl — a free five-week program that provided 120 girls the opportunity to try a new sport and meet new people. Started with the financial assistance of Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, the camp eliminated barriers to access for girls who face socioeconomic problems and who are members of under-represented communities in sports”…More

15 May 2024

Hamilton Spectator

Argos revise statement, say Kelly not on suspended list but still away from team

Keywords: Violence Against Women, Canadian Football League

"Quarterback Chad Kelly isn’t on the Toronto Argonauts’ suspended list but remains away from the CFL team. The Argos announced early Wednesday they’d placed Kelly on the suspended list but a club official later issued a revision, adding Kelly is still not participating in team activities and isn’t present at its facilities"...More

17 May 2024

Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal (27 February 2024)

2307-04699 (Re), 2024 ONSBT 1461 (CanLII)

Keywords: Disability, Football, Basketball, Determination of Impairments

“The Appellant testified that he did not drive a vehicle at the relevant time, and public transit was not accessible. The Appellant said that his friend could drive him to his appointments, and sometimes he also got rides arranged through the mental health clinic. The Appellant used to play sports like football and basketball but said he could no longer play those sports… Based on the detailed testimony of the Appellant that was consistent with the documentary medical evidence, the Tribunal finds it more likely than not that the Appellant did experience a substantial restriction to his capacity to function in the workplace"...Read More

17 May 2024

Tina Comeau, Tri-County Vanguard

'No Child Will be Left Behind'

Keywords: Inclusivity, Accessability, Infrastructure, Nova Scotia

"The three local municipal units in Yarmouth County and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities are partnering to build an inclusive play space on the property. The project is also moving forward thanks to a generous donation from DeSutter, who owns the Canadian Tire in Yarmouth. The 18,000-square-foot Jumpstart Inclusive Multi Sport Court will include barrier-free access and accessible opportunities for sports such as basketball, volleyball, pickleball and tennis. The court's amenities will be wheelchair accessible"...Read More

18 May 2024

Paul Morden, London Free Press

Living in the Shadow of Chemical Valley

Keywords: Environment, Indigenous, Pollution

“In April, the First Nation declared a local state of emergency after high levels of benzene were detected by an air monitor near its offices, playground and sports field. Then Ontario ordered the nearby Ineos Styrolution plant to suspend operations until steps were taken to respond to the release of high levels of the cancer-causing substance. It's the latest in a long line of environmental and health worries stretching back decades for Aamjiwnaang residents, now nearly surrounded by refineries and chemical plants that began arriving after oil was found in central Lambton County in the mid-19th century”…More

18 May 2024

City of Branmpton

City of Brampton and renowned Canadian soccer player Atiba Hutchinson partner to bring soccer court to the city

Keywords: Soccer, Safe Sport, Accessibility

"The soccer court is a fully enclosed turf field welcoming residents of all skill levels and abilities to learn the sport and build on their skills in a safe environment. The court creates additional outdoor spaces in the community to encourage youth to be active and lead healthy lifestyles.  Brampton is proud to be home to approximately 150,000 youth ages 14 to 29. The City remains committed to creating safe and accessible spaces that encourage learning and offers a wide-range of programs to meet the needs and interests of young people in Brampton"...Read More