Special Episode: "Code of Misconduct"

This special episode of As It Happens examines the fallout from the 2018 sexual assault allegations against members of Canada's national junior hockey team, as reported by journalist Rick Westhead and explored in the documentary 'Code of Misconduct.' The episode traces the journey from EM’s initial report to police—uninvestigated and dismissed—to the public revelation of Hockey Canada’s secret slush fund, funded by player registration fees, used to settle similar cases quietly. Westhead reflects on the media’s role in exposing systemic failures, the trial’s acquittal of all five players despite extensive testimony, and the judge’s controversial decision to assess the complainant’s credibility in detail. The episode also delves into the broader cultural issues within junior hockey, including the normalization of toxic masculinity, the inadequacy of consent education (like the infamous 'tea video'), and the fear young players face when speaking up. Through interviews with survivors, athletes, and reform advocates like Catherine LaRouche, the episode highlights a growing movement to change the sport’s culture from within, even as resistance from fans and institutions persists.