At Rogers Hometown Hockey in Aurora this afternoon, Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott is to “celebrate Canadian hockey” by speaking about the province’s move to exclude Ontario Hockey League (OHL) players from provincial employment standards legislation.
The announcement last month maintains the status of the OHL’s 425 players as amateur athletes, and prevents them from becoming employees regulated by the Employment Standards Act.
“Hockey is central to so many childhoods, so many great family moments, part of all our communities,” said Elliott in a statement that echoed the words of Premier Rob Ford last month. “Our government is proud to take action and cut red tape to provide clarity and help make sure the OHL is able to continue training players and showcase this great sport.”
Deputy Premier Elliott is to take part in the presentation on stage with Sportsnet broadcasters Ron MacLean and Tara Slone, who were joined by NHL alumni for a full weekend of live entertainment and family hockey activities at the Aurora Community Centre.
The province said by excluding players from 17 Ontario-based teams from the Employment Standards Act, owners and operators of OHL franchises, such as the Barrie Colts, will have a level playing field with owners of major junior hockey teams in other provinces, including British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec.
OHL players will continue to be protected by legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The Canadian Hockey League — the parent organization of the OHL, along with the Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — is involved in a $180-million class-action lawsuit, filed in 2014 by Charney Lawyers on behalf of all current and many former players seeking outstanding wages, overtime pay, holiday pay and vacation pay.
OHL commissioner David Branch, who also serves as CHL president, sent a letter Nov. 5 lobbying the government to maintain the amateur status of players.
“This means that the players will continue to receive only a small allowance, despite having to spend dozens of hours a week in workouts, practices, games and attending mandatory promotional events, all of which allow the teams to make money,” stated Goldblatt Partners, the firm representing OHL players with Charney Lawyers, on its website Nov. 15 following the government’s announcement.
In a statement issued by the OHL in mid-November, Branch said with OHL players remaining classified as amateurs, it allows the league to continue with its scholarship program.
In the 2017-18 academic year, Branch said there were 321 former OHLers who were using their scholarship at a cost of $3.125 million to OHL teams. That includes more than 200 ex-OHLers playing university hockey. The commissioner also says OHL teams this year have spent $475,000 on the scholarship programs for current players.
Elliott said amateur hockey is a part of Canadian life “and our government is ensuring it stays that way.”
“Onerous regulations could jeopardize the future of many teams in the Ontario Hockey League. By cutting red tape and excluding the OHL from unnecessary and impractical employment legislation, Ontario is protecting the long-term sustainability of local junior hockey teams,” Elliott said.
