Members of the Kenora Women's Hockey League address Kenora council regarding ice time, July 2024. Image: Tim Davidson/Acadia Broadcasting
Kenora city council is being asked to reconsider the ice allocation policy.
Women’s hockey players turnout out in force last night says they are being treated as second class citizens.
Jill Hager says they are being shunted to 10 pm ice times, which is a death knell for the female hockey league.
“It is confusing to us, after acknowledging the discrimination, the manager would then bring a report and a recommendation to this council recommending the new adult male hockey club would be given priority over existing women’s hockey teams,” Hager said during her deputation to city council Tuesday night.
“Further perpetuating and enabling the systemic discrimination we have faced for decades.”
Cindy Johnson was part of the joint deputation and says they are getting the shaft, because of reduced ice time and late hours.
“The lack of transparency, communication, consideration, equitable treatment and respect towards long-time user groups and citizens, from a council that has promised better, is disappointing.”
She says there are about 90 hockey players in the women’s hockey league, and they deserve better treatment.
At the end of the council meeting, councillor Lindsey Koch indicated she would be putting forward a Notice of Motion at their next meeting, which would be in September, asking for a review of the ice allocation policy.
