Surrey Minor Hockey controversy moves to Legislature

The furor over a controversial decision to get rid of a minor hockey coach in Surrey has reached B.C.’s capital.

The Surrey-White Rock MLA now wants some answers, with Trevor Halford expressing his disappointment during Question Period in the Legislature Wednesday.

He took aim at the Surrey Minor Hockey Association, questioning the decision to let go U11 Coach Brian MacGillivray.

“I am hopeful that Surrey Minor Hockey will revisit this decision immediately and do the right thing and actually stand beside somebody that protected our children when they needed it the most,” Halford said.

I condemn the racist incident at a recent youth hockey game in Surrey and applaud the actions of coach Macgillivray stepping in and protecting the players. It's disappointing that he has since been fired without explanation.
 
No one should be punished for doing what's right. pic.twitter.com/4KJmoMmo0b

— Trevor Halford (@TrevHal) May 3, 2023

The MLA says “racism has no place in our community,” adding he was “deeply disturbed to learn of the racist incident that happened at a youth hockey game in Surrey.”

The incident he’s referring to is said to have happened at a tournament over the Family Day weekend in Coquitlam.

Read more: Surrey Minor Hockey parents outraged after beloved coach let go

Parents have told CityNews Vancouver players on MacGillivray’s team — who are mostly South Asian — were called racial slurs on the ice, including “banana,” “monkey,” and the “N-word.”

“They were put in a position where they felt unsafe. As a coaching staff, we decided that we needed to remove those kids from that situation,” MacGillivray told CityNews Wednesday.

That refusal to play resulted in MacGillivray being handed a 30-day suspension by BC Hockey.

Surrey Minor Hockey has said its decision to let the coach go was not related to this.

“We must stand together as a community and speak out against racism, intolerance and discrimination of all kinds every single time. We have an obligation to do everything possible to ensure our children grow up in a world without racism,” Halford said Wednesday.

“I want to commend the actions of the coach Brian MacGillivray for standing up for his team and doing the right thing. He did the right thing. He protected his players at a time that they needed to be protected. I think everyone in this House stands with that coach today and tomorrow.”

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• ‘So helpless’: Mother speaks out about racism her son faced playing hockey in Coquitlam

• Coquitlam hockey racism draws reaction from leaders; association responds

Halford says he’s “disappointed to hear about the actions that were taken against this coach,” adding, they were “wrong” and “unacceptable.”

“This coach did the right thing, and I would be proud to have him coaching my children,” the MLA continued.

Many parents of Surrey Minor Hockey players have expressed their disappointment with the association’s decision, calling for the beloved coach to stay.

CityNews did speak to parents on the opposing team about the allegations of on-ice racism. They deny racial slurs were used, instead saying the word “banana” was being used as a code word to identify when a particularly skilled player was on the ice.

The parents were adamant that they would not tolerate any racism on their team.