SCOTIABANK PAUSES SPONSORSHIP OF HOCKEY CANADA.

• The Bank of Nova Scotia has suspended its sponsorship deal with Hockey Canada in response to sexual assault allegations that have embroiled the national sports governing body in scandal.

In an open letter, Scotiabank chief executive Brian Porter described the country's national sport as an activity that brings communities together and enshrines Canadian values.

“That is why, like so many of you, I was appalled by recent reports of alleged assault involving younger ambassadors of Canada's game. The alleged behaviour in this current case is contrary to the beliefs and values that hockey is meant to embody, and those that we champion at Scotiabank,” Porter said.

The bank will cancel all Scotiabank marketing and events at the upcoming world junior championship in August, Porter said. It will also redirect funds that were set for the world juniors to other programs, including the Hockey Canada Assist Fund for underserved youth and the women's world championship.

“Today, we have made the decision to pause our sponsorship of Hockey Canada until we are confident the right steps are being taken to improve the culture within the sport — both on and off the ice.”

The National Post contacted other Hockey Canada sponsors to inquire if any of them are taking any action in response to the controversy. A spokesperson for Imperial Oil Ltd, which runs Esso gas stations, said the company is “concerned by the recent allegations.”

“We are paying close attention to this issue as it develops and have communicated our expectations to Hockey Canada that concrete steps must be taken immediately to address safety issues and ensure swift culture change,” Keri Scobie said in an email.

“At the same time, our organization remains committed to supporting Canada's hockey community and grassroots youth programs across the country, as we have done for more than 40 years.”

At the end of May, TSN broke the story that a 24-year-old woman claimed she was assaulted by members of the country's 2018 gold-medal winning world junior hockey team at a gala and golf function four years ago in London, Ont.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

The woman reportedly filed a lawsuit in April this year, seeking $3.55 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the eight unnamed players. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit outside of court for an undisclosed amount.

Following the revelation, Hockey Canada immediately came under fire.

Last week, MPs called on Hockey Canada chief executive Tom Renney and president Scott Smith to testify before a Commons standing committee. During the hearing, Smith said the organization had received two other sexual assault complaints in recent years.

Smith and Renney told the committee the woman chose not to name the players, and said Hockey Canada still does not know the identities of the eight players in question.

Smith said London police informed Hockey Canada its criminal investigation was closed as of February 2019.

Two days after the hearing, federal Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge announced a freeze on federal funding to Hockey Canada and ordered a forensic audit to determine if the sports organization used public funds to settle the suit.

St-Onge said at the time Hockey Canada would only have its public money restored once officials produced an incomplete report by a third-party law firm hired to investigate the 2018 allegation.

Business development and partnerships have previously made up 43 per cent of Hockey Canada's coffers, according to the organization's numbers, ahead of funding agencies (14 per cent), insurance premiums (13 per cent), interest revenue (10 per cent) and the taxpayer funds (six per cent).