The Canadian Olympic Committee has made public a report on its handling of the Marcel Aubut sexual harassment affair, with the new president repeating the words, “We could have done more.”

Aubut stepped down in October as president of the COC following sexual harassment allegations by three women, including a staffer.

The organization's new president, former Olympic rower Tricia Smith, said they need to hold themselves to a higher standard.

One of the key highlights in the report (see full report below below) shows that a majority of the more than 100 COC staff members interviewed said they witnessed both personal and sexual harassment during Aubut's tenure as president.


The COC won't comment on the exact nature of the allegations, but a report by employment law experts Rubin Thomlinson showed that there were gaps in the human resources process and recommends widespread changes to the COC to "significantly strengthen workplace policies, procedures, and governance."

The report recommends widespread changes to the COC; the committee said it has already put in place clear reporting procedures for harassment and more training as to what constitutes inappropriate behaviour.

It also says the complainant who was a staff member is looking forward to returning to work and fully supports the report's recommendations, the fact they've been accepted and the actions Smith is taking as president.

The new president was asked repeatedly why it took the COC so long to act on tht allegations against Aubut.

All she could really say is mea-culpa: They let down their employees.

“Everyone could have done more,” said Smith. “I can tell you this this will not be business as usual. We will be holding everyone's feet to the fire, myself and Chris included. We will do this by ensuring everyone is 100 per cent committed to this new culture and accountable to the new policies.”

Marcel Aubut did not respond to requests for an interview.

To date, there are no criminal charges against him.

With files from The Canadian Press



Results of the Independent Review