This year, we get to watch Connor McDavid chase the Stanley Cup surrounded by layers of sexual violence, on and off the ice, indeed, managed by those who ignored sexual violence when it sat across from them. Will it be worth it?

Sexual violence is as normal in ice hockey as the ice. And while parents of boys question their children’s place in what has been called and acknowledged as a violent game, we ought to be asking: What are my children learning about accountability? What are my children learning about respecting each other? Where are these team values that organizations keep touting?

Alex Formenton is not the problem. Stan Bowman is the problem. Mike Babcock is the problem. A management group with skewed priorities that hires people who have been suspended from the NHL and some from Hockey Canada is the problem. The NHL has stated that Alex’s behaviour “did not meet the standard of moral integrity” and does not represent NHL values, and yet again, this institution is letting us down. That is also the problem.

Institutions that promise safety only seem to do so for branding, for funding, for performance, as this moment demonstrates how safety, indeed, moral and ethical character, are cast aside for winning. We saw this when Hockey Canada acknowledged a “problem” only after its funding was pulled. Not when sexual violence was reported. Perhaps the Oilers management group will respond differently. Perhaps the petition will carry weight. Perhaps the protest on the 19th will demonstrate Edmontonians do not support sexual violence. Perhaps the seats stay empty this year.

Teresa Fowler, Edmonton

No longer cheering for the Oilers

For the past month, every day, someone in our family has excitedly said: “Can’t wait for hockey to start.” The Oilers’ decision to sign one of the five men involved in the sexual mistreatment of a woman changed that. While acquitted of criminal charges, the men behaved reprehensibly, breaching the Hockey Canada Code of Conduct for their treatment of a woman.

We were raised in northern Alberta, cheering for the Oilers. We gift jerseys every year, attend games across our adopted home in New England, and travel for the playoffs. Every game we don’t attend, we watch on television. Our daughter, born in 2006, was “this close” to being named after Fernando Pisani.

Women are fans, players, and supporters of sport. The Oilers sent a message to fans who believe women should be treated respectfully and not as objects for the pleasure of privileged young men. Young people make mistakes. But organizations — ones whose existence depends on their fans — decide the message they send to their fans about what is acceptable to them and what is not. We believed this would be the year they bring home the Cup. We’re devastated we won’t be able to cheer for this.

Alex Collins, Stamford, Conn.

Formenton was acquitted by judge

I do not condone inappropriate sexual behaviour whether it be against a female or male. Alex Formenton faced the courts and was acquitted, meaning he is not guilty. The presiding justice (female) stated she didn’t find the complainant’s evidence to be reliable or credible.

As an Oilers fan, I hope Formenton can add some strength to the team and, hopefully, he can ignore the comments from fans who don’t appear to have faith in the judiciary .

Jo-Anne Kosowan, Edmonton

Opinions don’t trump court ruling

The outrage against this hire is a testament to how many people believe their opinion is paramount. Alex and others were acquitted of all charges in the case in discussion. Acquitted, meaning formally clearing someone of criminal charges after a trial. Courts or juries issue an acquittal when evidence is insufficient to convict or when the defendant is proven not guilty. The judge looked at all the issues, including the complainant’s agreement to join the men.

This isn’t good enough for some people. To the people who believe that only the woman’s word is the truth, they dismiss fundamental justice. And, apparently, no one is to be forgiven, ever. Would they agree if this should happen to their adult children? This mob, because that’s what they are, will not be satisfied until his life is ruined or he is stoned by the righteous in Oilers Square. Shame. Welcome to Edmonton, Alex.

David L. Young, Edmonton

Amend referendum to show UCP bias

I see that our provincial government is going to spend $4 million of taxpayers’ money to advocate for “yes” responses on the nine referendum puzzles.  While I wholeheartedly support the idea of giving more information to the public to clarify the lengthy, weighted and, in my view, biased questions, I take issue with the sponsors of this referendum seeking to influence responses in this manner.

If the UCP really wants to predetermine the outcome, why not simply amend the questions to start with the words “Do you agree with the government that …”.  That would go a long way to ensuring that they get the responses they want.

Jon Rossall, Edmonton

Time to suspend Alberta fuel tax

Now that oil is now around $100 a barrel, could Premier Smith and her UCP caucus do the right thing and start the 13-cents-per-litre rebate next week? It was they who decided their own legislation was not good enough so they decided to give Albertans $100 instead — if they could fill out the application.

If they had done what they were mandated to do, I would have already saved $150, with many months of a rebate to go. I did not apply for my $100, as I do not trust the government with my personal information, including my banking information. Danielle Smith and the UCP should make this change by next week, like the federal government has done. Albertans deserve better.

Dan Merkowsky, Edmonton

Senior Smith aide must be fired

Re. “Top Smith official shocks with praise for German extremists,” Don Braid, Sept. 9

Why is Bruce McAllister still employed as the executive director of Premier Danielle Smith’s office? He recently praised the election of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state election. This is a party that promises mass deportation of immigrants and closer ties with Russia among other far-right ideology that is frighteningly similar to what we have seen in that country before.

As Braid points out, we have five questions on immigration issues in the coming October referendum, and all of this should be deeply troubling to all Albertans. So, Premier Smith, do you agree with your executive director? If not, he should be fired.

Harry Wagner, Edmonton

NDP health-care promises dubious

In your Sept. 11 paper, Mr. Naheed Nenshi claims our existing health-care system simply needs an NDP government. He states, “What we need is a government with the will, the authority, and the expertise, with the competence to be able to build a better health-care system.” I presume he is implying that he will succeed when every provincial government has obviously failed miserably since the Canada Health Act of 1967, in spite of spouting the same drivel before elections.

A.A. Wilke, Edmonton