2023-06-23 21:42:43
You question yourself! Me, I’m always going to ask myself: what could I have done differently? At 53, I know what I would have done, but at 18, why wasn’t I smarter than them? And say: “Well no, we don’t lock someone in the toilet! We don’t do that because it doesn’t make sense!” But it wasn’t like that back then. I would have liked to have the maturity that I have today, he confides to us in his office in parliament.
Behind him is an autographed poster of Maurice Richard. His Minnesota North Stars and Chicago Blackhawks jerseys adorn the walls.
Enrico Ciccone played in the National Hockey League for ten years, before pursuing his career in the media, then being elected as a member of the Liberal Party of Quebec.
It was very therapeutic! For me, it was very very personal at times, he adds about the parliamentary commission on initiations into junior hockey, held in the spring.
It came to open a drawer that was closed forever, the key was thrown away, he said, pointing to his head. With my former teammates, we didn’t talk about that. We didn’t even think about it anymore. But poof! We opened the little drawer.
He preferred to wait for the tabling of the commission’s recommendations and the end of parliamentary work before giving a more personal interview.
Liberal MP Enrico Ciccone is breaking the silence on the degrading initiations he has witnessed in the world of junior hockey. He says that the commission set up by Quebec upset him. Véronique Prince met him.
On a political mission
Can I be on this commission? I asked myself the question. Enrico Ciccone was convinced that his experience as a former player turned parliamentarian would be useful.
He wanted to ask his questions to the players in the field because he knew very well how things work internally, in a high-level sports team. He felt invested with a mission.
The catch? He himself witnessed initiations as a hockey player. He worked – with pay – for the Quebec Major Junior League. He knows the leaders, several team owners, coaches…
Despite this proximity to the community, the Ethics Commissioner of the National Assembly gave him the green light to sit as a member of the commission.
“It hit me in the face, these stories, but I said to myself: I have to do it because it is my responsibility to do it. I want to leave something, for the well-being of our children. »
— A quote from Enrico Ciccone, Liberal MP for Marquette and former National Hockey League player
A home run
The testimony of a representative from McGill University in particular gave elected officials pause. The establishment listed the measures taken following degrading initiations that occurred in some of its sports teams. He had explained to us that the definition of abuse was not the same for everyone, explains Enrico Ciccone. A big problem, he said.
To avoid leaving room for interpretation, the members of the commission suggested to the sports federations a list of gestures to proscribe in their policy on hazing (the humiliating and degrading integration of new players).
We wanted to standardize it. We had to put black on white what we are not allowed to do. There, we cannot say that it was not written and that we did not know. In this way, it is clear, clean and precise, explains Mr. Ciccone.
Among other things, the commission suggests prohibiting participating in or simulating a sexual act, depriving a person of food, sleep or hygiene, or spanking or whipping. The final recommendation in the list concerns participation in any activity without consent.
However, such a report does not have the force of law as long as the government does not draw inspiration from it for the drafting of a legislative project. It is therefore not binding on sports federations. The Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest, has undertaken to take this into account in her review of the Sports Safety Act, expected this fall.
“That kind of recommendation there, if accepted, it’s a home run, a real home run, because it’s a private industry. They are all owners and they are the ones who decide. We are proud of the report, but at the same time, we should never have had a commission on it. It’s pathetic that a legislator has to say: “Wô, that will do!” »
— A quote from Enrico Ciccone, Liberal MP for Marquette and former hockey player
The Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest, has undertaken to take this into account in her review of the Sports Safety Act, expected this fall. (File photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Jacques Boissinot
A sense of guilt, but also of duty accomplished
I think hockey needed a good punch in the face. He ate a solid one! I hope we have reached the bottom. If I was able to help protect young people and quietly restore the letters of nobility to this sport, it will be at least that, he adds.
Some members of the commission have children who practice competitive sport themselves. Many found it difficult to emotionally detach themselves from the debate, explains the MP.
Mr. Ciccone salutes the work of journalist Martin Leclerc, who brought the scandals to light. He also congratulates the victims for their public appearance and their legal remedies. Now, if the culture can finally change, Enrico Ciccone will have a sense of accomplishment, instead of living on guilt.
Me, I want to protect the next Enrico at 16-17 years old. To save him from doing something silly that would have stayed with him for the rest of his life, and waking up at 53 and then feeling guilty and bad about it all. I want to protect young people.
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