Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

Growing the Game

In the fall of 2019, stories of racial discrimination in the sport of hockey were surfacing in the media all across North America and beyond. 

The silver lining of these horrible stories - and ultimately the motivation behind the bravery of so many - was that it compelled an examination of many blind spots in hockey organizations everywhere.

Hockey Nova Scotia moved to formally examine this long-standing problem, and the Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity and Inclusion Task Force was quickly struck.

The goal

To produce recommendations to the Hockey Nova Scotia board of directors to eliminate racism, discrimination and abuse in hockey as well as suggestions for making the sport more diverse and inclusive.

In achieving this goal, the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force will:

a) EMPOWER those involved in, and affected by, the history and legacy of racism, discrimination and abuse in hockey to share their stories including the contexts, causes, circumstances and the harms.

b) INQUIRE into how the history and legacy of racism, discrimination and abuse has impacted not only African Nova Scotian, Mi’Kmaw, and First Nation communities but all individuals in Nova Scotia and consider how to address this harm.

c) EXAMINE the experience of players of underrepresented groups and marginalized communities as part of the history and legacy of systemic and institutionalized discrimination, both historic and current, in Nova Scotia.

d) SEEK to understand the experiences of former and current players within hockey as well as those who were reluctant to play the sport due to the culture, perceived and/or real racism, abuse and discrimination.

e) ENGAGE affected parties and all Nova Scotians in collaborative planning and action to address this negative history and its legacy and create change to secure a better future for all players and their families and respective communities so the rink is safe and welcoming for all.

f) PUBLICLY SHARE our findings and the actions taken, planned and recommended to address racism (systemic and institutional) and discrimination in hockey.

g) EDUCATE the public about the history of racism, discrimination and abuse in hockey and the need to address it whenever it surfaces.

h) CONTRIBUTE to the goal of social change by creating meaningful policies and procedures to effectively address the harms resulting from racism, discrimination and abuse.

i) MODEL a restorative approach to conflict resolution.

Where we are now

After 16 months of listening and learning, the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force released their report and recommendations on May 12, 2021.

READ THE REPORT