Former NHL and Canadian world junior hockey player Alex Formenton has surrendered himself to police in London, Ont. in connection with an alleged sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.

Formenton is one of five team members expected to face related charges. Regardless of the outcome, it’s a sign that sexual assault charges can no longer be silenced or swept under the rug in sport.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Jennifer Walinga from Royal Roads University writes about the need for a comprehensive overhaul of sport organization in Canada.

Walinga argues that Hockey Canada needs to go beyond just removing a few “bad apples” and restructure the entire system to create a sport culture of true integrity and accountability.

She writes: “Leaders must remove the bad apples while addressing systemic issues — only then will they be able to create and maintain quality, lasting barrels. Otherwise, the existing bad apples will poison the new, rotting the barrel from the inside.”

Also today:

Eleni Vlahiotis

Assistant Editor, Business + Economy

Five hockey players have been granted leaves of absence from their teams after reportedly being told to surrender to London police to face charges related to an alleged sexual assault. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston

Hockey Canada’s issues go beyond a few bad apples — the entire system needs to be re-engineered

Jennifer Walinga, Royal Roads University

Hockey Canada has a new board and CEO, but it won’t make a difference unless the systemic issues are addressed through our sport leadership and governance structures.

Poverty reduction has the potential to initiate a beneficial cascade that would improve the lives of children and youth. (Shutterstock)

Child poverty is on the rise in Canada, putting over 1 million kids at risk of life-long negative effects

Nicole Racine, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Shainur Premji

Over one million Canadian children live in poverty. Child poverty is a pernicious childhood adversity that has detrimental long-term impacts on health, development and well-being throughout life.

Impacts of excessive use of digital technologies range from physical problems to emotional concerns. (Shutterstock)

Spending too much time online? Try these helpful tips to improve your digital wellness

Bindiya Dutt, University of Stavanger; Mary Lynn Young, University of British Columbia

The growing absence of non-digital alternatives to everyday tasks, like government services and health care, is contributing to digital dependence. This, in turn, affects people’s wellbeing.

A woman celebrates after the final result was announced in the Irish referendum to liberalize abortion laws in May 2018. The referendum followed an Irish citizens’ assembly on the issue. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

What Canada can learn from Ireland on citizen engagement to bolster democracy

Seána Glennon, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

As Canada’s nearest neighbour grapples with serious attacks on democracy, a fresh approach to citizen engagement in Canada is an exciting prospect, worthy of serious consideration.

Catan experienced a revival over the pandemic. However, the most potent and painful relationship between Catan and our world today remains largely unexamined. (Shutterstock)

What’s unsettling about Catan: How board games uphold colonial narratives

Biz Nijdam, University of British Columbia

The Settlers of Catan codified a certain kind of game play based on the history of settler colonialism.

La Conversation Canada

shutterstock.

Mieux dormir, un facteur de protection contre la démence

Andrée-Ann Baril, Université de Montréal; Matthew Pase, Monash University

Le sommeil semble jouer un rôle essentiel dans plusieurs fonctions cérébrales, comme la mémoire. Un sommeil de bonne qualité pourrait donc jouer un rôle primordial dans la prévention de la démence.

Défilé national-socialiste à Berlin célébrant l’accession au pouvoir d’Adolf Hitler. Sa nomination à la chancellerie, le 30 janvier 1933, a consolidé la mainmise absolue du parti nazi sur le pays en quelques mois, prélude à la Seconde Guerre mondiale. (AP Photo)

Atmosphère politique aux États-Unis : voici ce qu’on peut apprendre de l’Allemagne de l’entre-deux-guerres

David Dyzenhaus, University of Toronto

Dans l’Allemagne de l’entre-deux-guerres, la montée au pouvoir d’Adolf Hitler a été facilitée par les tribunaux et les avocats. Une situation similaire existe aujourd’hui aux États-Unis.

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