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