Much has been said about the Montreal Canadiens’ decision to draft Logan Mailloux despite having committed a sex crime. What has NOT been said – let alone admitted – by the leaders of CH Group is that the organization itself needs to be educated about violence against women, not just the young defender. What we have NOT seen is a real introspection on how it is that in 2021, the organization could have made this disastrous choice? How is it that in 2021, Groupe CH sent an unequivocal signal that hockey is more important than the major issue here, which is the violence against women?
In the responses and excuses offered, the recognition that the act committed constitutes a sexual crime is nowhere to be found and there is nothing that testifies to an awareness of the organization itself about its own ignorance, insensitivity and incomprehension. In fact, in the actions proposed, everything is directed towards the rehabilitation of the young hockey player and the awareness of young people. As if the CH Group and the Sainte-Flanelle, they had nothing to be ashamed of.
As Geoff Molson puts it, the Montreal Canadiens are much more than a hockey club. They are a symbol of pride. However, to be – and to remain – a symbol of pride comes with responsibilities and obligations; in this case, they fell short.
Beyond whether or not to maintain the contract with Logan Mailloux, it is necessary to ask whether CH Group will also undertake, as a corporate citizen, as a symbol of pride, a factory of dreams and models, an internal process. education on the issue of violence against women, at all levels of the organization? Is CH Group ready to undertake this in-depth approach and begin the transformation of the hockey planet? There are many organizations specializing in the prevention of violence against women that are able to offer this education, this training.
Finally, to begin this process of introspection, it is appropriate to ask the first question: “If the victim had been your daughter, gentlemen, would you have made the same decision? “