Probe finds 'major shortcomings' at Montreal high school where basketball coaches face sex-related charges

The Marguerite-Bourgeoysschool service centre is promising to act onall recommendations stemming from a provincial investigation that found "major shortcomings" in the basketball program at Montreal's colesecondaire Saint-Laurent, in the wake ofFebruary's arrest ofthreecoaches on sex-related charges.

DanielLacasse, Charles-Xavier Boislardand Robert Luuare facing various charges, includingsexual exploitation, sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching.

Their arrests touched off several investigations, including one ordered by the Quebec Education Ministry.The ministry released asummary of its findings Tuesday.

"The investigation made it possible to identify major shortcomings in terms of supervision and controls related to the basketball program at coleSaint-Laurent," the ministry said in a news release.

"In light of the information gathered, the dignity of several athletes was compromised during their time atSaint-Laurentschool," itsaid.

That echoes the results of a CBC investigationin February that uncovered a rampant toxic culture in the basketball program, where coaches routinely bullied and insulted female students.

The provincial investigation makes several recommendations, including:

• improving controls over sports programs at the school.

• mandatingan independent firm to "carry out an intervention on the climate and incivility" at the school and report back to the ministry.

• appointing an independent accounting firm to conduct a financial audit of sports programs at the school.

• makingbystander intervention training mandatory in schools and raising awareness of the bystander effect.

The Marguerite-Bourgeoys school service centre, which overseesthe school, turned downCBC's request for an interviewbut released its own statement today in response to the ministry's investigation.

"We will spare no effort to ensure that the school's women's basketball program meets expectations and reflects the values of respect and dignity that we uphold," the school service centre said.

It also said some changes havealready been made but did not offer any details.

'Waste of time'

Grace Ngoyi's daughter played basketball at the school in 2018 andwitnessed Lacasse yelling at players during games and practices.

Ngoyicomplained to both Lacasse and the school before the arrests, but her complaints were ignored.

"This report is a big waste of time,and it's disrespectful to the victims," said Ngoyi in an interview with CBC Wednesday.

She noted the report recommends hiring an independent firm to look further into the culture at the school. She said she and other parents called for that last winter.

"They wasted five months to realize they need an independent firm? The victims will have to retell their stories again and again," Ngoyi said.

She also questioned the recommendation for bystander intervention training.

"There are already people who tried to speak up and weren't listened to," Ngoyi said. She said she thinks the school's principal should have been suspended during the investigation.

Jolle Martina is a former basketball player who helped founda group called the Coalition of Big Sisters of Sports after the arrests.The group's goal is to improve the culture of amateur basketball and make sure young players are safe.

"We were waiting a long time for this report, andthere's only six recommendations.So itfelt very thin," Martina told CBC in an interview Wednesday.

"I was looking for a little bit more, like specific strategy, budget, timelines like true concrete ways, not just words," Martina said.

Ngoyi also questioned the lack of detail.She wondered why the Education Ministry released a one-page newsreleaseinstead making its entirereport public.

"The report cannot be disclosed since it is still a situation that is the subject of a legal process," Bryan St-Louis, a spokesperson for the ministry, told CBC in an email.

"Out of respect for the ongoing process, the ministry will not be issuing further comments," he said.

Martina said she's still hoping to hear more from the ministry.

"Until I know that every child can go to school or play sports and be safe, it'll never be enough," she said.