Quebec confirms hearings into hazing in major junior hockey will not be extended - Action News
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Quebec confirms hearings into hazing in major junior hockey will not be extended

The hearings into violence in major junior hockey will not be extended despite a request by Qubec Solidaire health critic Vincent Marissal.

'We have more questions than we do answers' Qubec Solidaire health critic objects

A room filled with people. People sit at desks with microphones in front of them.
Wednesday's committee heard from representatives from QMJHL, the Canadian Hockey League, Hockey Quebec, the Rseau du sport tudiant du Qubec and McGill University. (Sylvain Roy Roussel/Radio-Canada)

The Quebec government will not extend the hearings into violence and hazing in Quebec major junior hockey.

Qubec Solidaire health criticVincent Marissal askedthe committee to extend the hearings on Wednesday. He and other members of the National Assemblyquestioned representatives from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Canadian Hockey League, Hockey Quebec, the Rseau du sport tudiant du Qubec and McGill University.

Hearings took place at the Quebec legislatureafter court documents outlined graphic testimony from six unnamed former hockey players. Their shocking accounts were part of an attempt to launch a class-action lawsuit.

Each player described months of abuse including sexual assault, beatings, torture and humiliation by veteran players that they endured as rookies on various teams across Canada.

Responding to the news that the hearings would not be extended, Marissal said Wednesday's hearing was "not enough."

"We heard five testimonies. We have more questions than we do answers this morning," said Marissal.

A man speaks to reporters
Vincent Marissal spoke to reporters Thursday about the Quebec government's decision to not extend the hearings. (Sylvain Roy Roussel/Radio-Canada)

Isabelle Charest, the provincial minister responsible for sports, said the goal of the hearings wasto make sure there aremechanisms in place to prevent future abuse.

"The goal is not to hear about everything that has happened in the past. The goal is to make sure that we provide [a] secure environment for the athletes," said Charest.

Charest says she will continue her mandate to improve the complaint process for hazing and ensure athletes have information about the importance of denouncing hazing and problematic behaviour.

With files from Franca Mignacca