Hockey Canada says officials will whistle more penalties for on-ice discrimination

Hockey officials are issuing more fines for discriminatory taunts, insults and intimidation on the ice, according to a report by Hockey Canada.

Hockey’s national governing body says penalties handed down under its discrimination rule rose 41 percent during the 2023-24 season, to 2.6 per 1,000 players from 1.9 in 2022-23.

Sex, sexual orientation, and gender-based slurs were the most common types of witness penalties that resulted in suspension.

Racial slurs were the second most common form of discrimination.

Reports and allegations of discrimination against officials, which prompted further investigation, fell 11 percent to 1.3 per 1,000 last season from 1.5 the year before.

Hockey Canada began publishing an annual abuse report in 2022.