Weekly Rights Digest (July 7-July 13)

8 July 2024

Ex-Quebec junior hockey players jailed for sexual assault of teen at hotel in 2021

Canadian Press

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec

"Two former Quebec junior hockey players have been handed jail sentences for sexually assaulting a minor at a hotel in June 2021 in the aftermath of a Victoriaville Tigres championship celebration. Nicolas Daigle, 21, was sentenced to 32 months in jail, and Massimo Siciliano, 21, was given a 30-month sentence." Read More

10 July 2024

Another court postponement for teacher, coach, accused sexual predator Markus Hicks

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

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Newfoundland, Volleyball, Child Pornography

"Hicks, a 33-year-old high school teacher and volleyball coach, is facing 213 charges, many of them related to sexual violence involving youth. He has pleaded not guilty to 87 charges and elected a trial by provincial court judge, which is scheduled to start at the end of the year. His most recent charges were laid by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary last month, and include 63 counts of identity fraud, sexual assault and child pornography offences." Read More

10 July 2024

Montreal girl barred from karate class over hijab, Human Rights Commission says

Jessie Feith, Montreal Gazette

Keywords: Islamophobia, Hijab, Quebec, Karate

"A Muslim family says a Montreal karate centre barred their 12-year-old daughter from attending her class after she opted to begin wearing the hijab. The Quebec Human Rights Commission is seeking $13,000 in damages for the family..." Read More

11 July 2024

Un climat toxique chez Cyclisme Canada

Jean-François Racine, Le Journal de Québec

Keywords: Discrimination, maltraitance, sexisme, Quebec

Un rapport d’enquête brosse un portrait dévastateur de Cyclisme Canada, où règnent au sein de l’organisme sportif de la discrimination, une « culture du silence » et une perception de toxicité qui auraient engendré « une profonde méfiance envers la haute direction ». savoir plus

12 July 2024

Island junior hockey player found not guilty of sexual assault

Roxanne Egan-Elliott, Victoria Times-Colonist

Keywords: Hockey, Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, Sexual Assault, Acquitted, British Columbia

"The judge said, however, he found inconsistencies between the teen’s statement to police shortly after the incident and her testimony in court, saying she manufactured 'exaggerated and false narrative details' based on speculation. 'I want it clearly understood that I’m not making a positive finding that the alleged sexual assault did not happen. But the evidence leaves me with significant uncertainty about which parts of the complainant’s evidence can be counted on as reliable,' he said." Read More