SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Canadian Aubut resigns after sexual harassment allegation

The committee said it had received a complaint against Aubut, 67, last week and had retained a former Chief Justice of the Quebec Superior Court to head up an independent investigation.

Canadian Aubut resigns after sexual harassment allegation
(Reuters)

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

However, "in light of his resignation and based on the wishes of the complainant", that investigation has now ended, the COC said in a statement.

"The independent third party process investigating any other complaints will continue uninterrupted. We hope that anyone who has concerns will contact us," the COC said.

"The events of the past week are deeply concerning to us. They have had a profound impact on our Olympic family. The COC has clear policies that include measures to address harassment of any kind in the workplace.

"Having a workplace environment that is healthy and safe for all of our employees and those attached to the Olympic movement is critical to our organization, and we will examine every possible way to improve those processes."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Aubut, a lawyer and former co-owner of the National Hockey League's Quebec Nordiques franchise until it relocated in 1995, was a strong advocate for Toronto to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The city ultimately decided against a bid.

Later on Saturday, the COC announced that four-times Olympian Tricia Smith would replace Aubut as interim President.

"I live the values embodied in sport and take very seriously my role in helping spearhead change for the betterment of the Olympic movement in this country," Smith said.

Smith, a lawyer based in Vancouver, captured a silver medal in rowing at the 1984 Los Angeles Los Angeles Olympics.

She is vice president of FISA, the International Rowing Federation, and a board member of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles and Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina.; Editing by Alan Baldwin/Greg Stutchbury)


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world