MONTREAL – The Canadian Olympic Committee says it will implement all of the recommendations from a third-party workplace review of its handling of the Marcel Aubut affair.
Aubut stepped down as COC president last year after women accused him of sexual harassment. He has not faced any criminal charges.
A report from employment law experts Rubin Thomlinson identified gaps in the area of human resources systems and processes and recommends widespread changes to the COC to “significantly strengthen workplace policies, procedures, and governance.”
Former Olympic rower Tricia Smith — the COC’s new president — says the organization must hold itself to a higher standard.
The COC Board says it has approved the hiring of senior and designated human resources leadership to ensure a safe and healthy environment for employees is provided.
In a news release, the COC says more than 100 confidential interviews were conducted with COC staff, former staff and other individuals over a three-month period.
It also says the complainant is looking forward to returning to work and fully supports the report’s recommendations, the fact they’ve been accepted and the actions Smith is taking as president.
The COC Board unanimously agreed to move forward with Chris Overholt as chief executive officer. He’ll be supported in implementing the changes by a working group that will be led by Smith.
