The Canadian organization has been embroiled in a scandal regarding their handling of assault allegations
Hockey Canada has lost its director and interim chair, Andrea Skinner, who resigned over the weekend as the organization continues to receive calls to shake up their leadership. Hockey Canada announced Skinner's resignation on Saturday, saying that she is stepping down from her duties "effective immediately."
"Upon reflection, it is clear to me from recent events that it no longer makes sense for me to continue to volunteer my time as interim chair or as a director of the organization," said Skinner.
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Skinner first joined Hockey Canada in November 2020 as a volunteer, before eventually stepping into the position of interim chair of the board in August. She recently became the subject of headlines after facing a parliamentary committee meeting in which she defended Hockey Canada's handling of sexual assault allegations involving previous junior players.
The scandal prompted lawmakers to call on Hockey Canada's leaders to step down, with sport minister Pascale St-Onge stressing a need for a "change within the organization." Hockey Canada, however, maintained that they won't be making any management changes.
"Our board does not share the view that Hockey Canada should be making more leadership changes at this time," Skinner said previously, as quoted by the CBC. "The board believes Hockey Canada's CEO and executive team have the skills to lead Hockey Canada through its action plan."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted to this resistance from the organization, describing it as "inconceivable."
"It's inconceivable that folks at Hockey Canada continue to dig in. It's not like there's something extraordinarily special about the people at Hockey Canada that means they're the only people in the country that can run an organization like this," Trudeau previously told reporters.
Read more: 'Inconceivable': Trudeau on Hockey Canada's management change resistance
"Despite recent challenges, I am gratified to have had the opportunity to cross paths with countless volunteers, dedicated people within the organization, sponsors and other stakeholders," Skinner said. "I sincerely appreciate the support I have received from many Canadians, particularly women, who also seek to positively influence the game and sport."