A demand for the resignation of Hockey Lévis’ general manager has surfaced after allegations of surveillance on a family’s home and obstructing the transfer of two children to alternate teams, as reported by Radio-Canada recently.
On Tuesday, Radio-Canada highlighted a family’s struggle to enroll their kids in the Sport Loisir Québec Nord-Est (SLQNE) regional sports organization in Quebec City. The parents, unnamed in the report, hired a lawyer to facilitate their children’s access to hockey closer to their workplace in Quebec City.
Benoit Forget-Chiasson, a Lévis city councilor, expressed concerns about the situation and stressed the need for clarity. He emphasized the importance of revealing the truth behind the allegations and stated that such behavior is unacceptable for a sports organization.
Following the Radio-Canada report, Manuel Charron-Paris, a parent and volunteer coach at Hockey Lévis, initiated a petition demanding the resignation of the general manager, André Lévesque. Charron-Paris later lost his coaching responsibilities, sparking further questions about Hockey Lévis’ leadership, with the petition garnering 350 signatures.
Hockey Lévis confirmed the removal of a volunteer coach, citing adherence to ethical coaching guidelines rather than in response to criticisms. The family in question faced obstacles when trying to register their children with SLQNE due to Hockey Québec’s residence-based eligibility rule, which limits player movement based on legal residency.
Despite presenting evidence of their change of address, the children faced resistance from Hockey Lévis for their transfer to Quebec City teams. The organization eventually agreed to release the children temporarily for the upcoming season, pending proof of residency compliance for future seasons.
Allegations of a private investigator spying on the family added another layer of complexity to the situation, with suspicions raised regarding Hockey Lévis’ involvement. The organization denied hiring a private investigator but reiterated its commitment to upholding residency regulations set by Hockey Québec.
The City of Lévis stated its vigilance in monitoring the developments, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the well-being of young athletes. It underscored the significance of parents having confidence in sports organizations overseeing their children’s activities. Both Hockey Lévis and Hockey Québec declined requests for interviews on the matter.