Hockey Nova Scotia seeks responses for new diversity and inclusion survey

Hockey Nova Scotia has launched a survey seeking recommendations on how to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport.

“There are reasons why communities of colour, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ and new Canadians are not picking hockey,” Dean Smith, chair of the Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, says in a news release, “and we really need to hear from these individuals in order to inform and effect positive change.”

The survey, launched by the organization’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, will help the Task Force make stronger recommendations to Hockey Nova Scotia’s board of directors, particularly on addressing racism and discrimination in the sport.

According to CBC News, the organization says there were allegations of racial slurs and verbal abuse involving religion and sexual orientation last season.

One incident Hockey Nova Scotia investigated happened at a game in Cheticamp, N.S. in December 2019. At the time, 16-year-old Mi’kmaw hockey player Logan Prosper says he was a victim of racial slurs.

This prompted Hockey Nova Scotia to create its Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. Some of its members include Levi Denny, chef de mission of Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia, and Dean Smith, program lead of Hockey Nova Scotia’s Black Youth Ice Hockey Program.

In 2018, CBC News also reported 12-year-old Mark Connors had been experiencing racial slurs from other players. One incident included a game in Tantallon on March 3 when Connors, who was playing for the Halifax Huskies, was called the N-word by an opposing player.

Earlier this year, the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force made a recommendation for Hockey Nova Scotia to create a position dedicated to diversity and inclusion issues on its board of directors. The recommendation was approved and a position was created.

The survey will remain open to the public until Nov. 1.