Quebec Junior Hockey League adopts language policy

[Harold F. Schiffman]

QMJHL launches anti-discrimination policy
Canadian Press

12/13/2006 4:08:34 PM

BOUCHERVILLE, Que. (CP) - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is
launching a wide-ranging anti-discrimination policy that covers everyone
involved with the circuit, from team and league officials, to players and
fans. The policy, ratified by the QMJHL's board of governors last week and
announced Wednesday, covers "behaviours, words, acts, gestures or writings
that affect the dignity and the honour of any person and that are made in
relation with race, gender, colour, religion, language, ethnic or national
origin, sexual orientation, handicap or social condition."

Punishments, which can include fines and suspensions or ejections for
fans, are at the league's discretion . Teams can also be fined for not
taking action when an act of discrimination occurs. "The Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League is committed to enforcing this zero-tolerance policy
to ensure a working environment without discrimination," commissioner
Gilles Courteau said in a statement. "Each and every individual has
fundamental rights that must be respected and we aim to ensure that they
are." The inclusion of fans into the code comes after an ugly incident
last December when the Chicoutimi Sagueneens apologized to Ted Nolan after
some of the team's supporters hurled racial slurs at the former Moncton
Wildcats coach during a game.

Nolan, an Ojibwa from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said the verbal abuse he
endured from the crowd at the Centre Georges Vezina during a 4-3 loss left
him trembling afterwards. Some fans whooped and made tomahawk gestures at
the aboriginal coach. Nolan is now coaching the NHL's New York Islanders.

http://www.tsn.ca/chl/news_story/?ID=188292&hubname=

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