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Hockey Canada Rule 11 - Protecting Participants Against Abusive and Discriminatory Behaviour
2021-11-11As you are hopefully aware, the OCMHA has always taken a zero tolerance approach to abusive or discriminatory language and conduct of any kind, whether by its players, volunteers or spectators. As an organization, we pride ourselves in the standards of behaviour to which our volunteers and families hold themselves. ...
As you are hopefully aware, the OCMHA has always taken a zero tolerance approach to abusive or discriminatory language and conduct of any kind, whether by its players, volunteers or spectators. As an organization, we pride ourselves in the standards of behaviour to which our volunteers and families hold themselves. When we become aware of behaviour on or off the ice that doesn't meet the standards that we have set, it is addressed quickly, either by the coach or another volunteer, or by the OCMHA executive where needed.
We are very happy to report that Hockey Canada has made some recent changes to its rule book that put some real teeth into that stance. Effective this year, all rules against discrimination and harassment have been consolidated under a single rule - Section 11, Maltreatment, and more serious penalties have been added for violations.
The intent of Rule 11 is simple - to eliminate all forms of discrimination and harassment from the game, and to signal clearly that what may have been overlooked as harmless trash talk in the not so distant past will not be tolerated. The rule is intended to cover any language used on the ice that is discriminatory, even if in jest. In particular, the following will apply:
Any player, goaltender or team official who engages in verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty. Discriminatory grounds include the following, without limitation:
- Race, national or ethnic origin, skin colour or language spoken;
- Religion, faith or beliefs;
- Age;
- Sex, sexual orientation or gender identity / expression;
- Marital or familial status;
- Genetic characteristics;
- Disability.
Referees have been instructed to call this rule closely, and they have been doing just that in the early weeks of the season. In addition to consolidating all forms of maltreatment under one umbrella, the penalties associated with the rule have been increased. A single incident will result in a gross misconduct and ejection from the game, and will also carry a suspension of up to 7 games, depending on the seriousness of the incident.
The OCMHA expects all of its participants to avoid using abusive and discriminatory language not due to a fear of suspension, but because it is the right thing to do. But for those who still aren't getting the message at this point, they can expect to see some very stiff penalties both from HEO and the OCMHA.
As always, we ask anyone witnessing behaviour of this nature to report it to a coach or a member of the OCMHA executive at their option. For full details of the rule, please see the updated Hockey Canada rulebook at: https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/Downloads/rulebook_casebook_e.pdf
We are very happy to report that Hockey Canada has made some recent changes to its rule book that put some real teeth into that stance. Effective this year, all rules against discrimination and harassment have been consolidated under a single rule - Section 11, Maltreatment, and more serious penalties have been added for violations.
The intent of Rule 11 is simple - to eliminate all forms of discrimination and harassment from the game, and to signal clearly that what may have been overlooked as harmless trash talk in the not so distant past will not be tolerated. The rule is intended to cover any language used on the ice that is discriminatory, even if in jest. In particular, the following will apply:
Any player, goaltender or team official who engages in verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty. Discriminatory grounds include the following, without limitation:
- Race, national or ethnic origin, skin colour or language spoken;
- Religion, faith or beliefs;
- Age;
- Sex, sexual orientation or gender identity / expression;
- Marital or familial status;
- Genetic characteristics;
- Disability.
Referees have been instructed to call this rule closely, and they have been doing just that in the early weeks of the season. In addition to consolidating all forms of maltreatment under one umbrella, the penalties associated with the rule have been increased. A single incident will result in a gross misconduct and ejection from the game, and will also carry a suspension of up to 7 games, depending on the seriousness of the incident.
The OCMHA expects all of its participants to avoid using abusive and discriminatory language not due to a fear of suspension, but because it is the right thing to do. But for those who still aren't getting the message at this point, they can expect to see some very stiff penalties both from HEO and the OCMHA.
As always, we ask anyone witnessing behaviour of this nature to report it to a coach or a member of the OCMHA executive at their option. For full details of the rule, please see the updated Hockey Canada rulebook at: https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/Downloads/rulebook_casebook_e.pdf