KL Hockey in Kawartha Lakes provides day and overnight activities for children during July and August with a commitment to offering enriching experiences both on and off the ice, as stated on its website. However, the camp faced scrutiny this summer due to the presence of one of its lead instructors, Bradley Gibbs, a Durham Regional Police officer who recently pleaded guilty to assaulting children. Gibbs admitted to two counts of assault involving children he knew, but further details are restricted by a court order.

Despite being described as a valued coach and mentor on the camp’s website, Gibbs chose to resign following inquiries from CBC News. The camp informed parents via email that they had supported Gibbs through a personal legal issue but did not disclose if they were aware of his guilty pleas or the reasons for retaining him.

Currently, Ontario does not mandate background checks for summer camp staff, leaving the onus on individual camps to ensure employee vetting. In response to the situation, Premier Doug Ford’s office announced plans to enforce mandatory criminal background checks for all summer camps.

The Ontario Camps Association (OCA) requires criminal record checks for its members, but membership is voluntary, leaving camps outside this organization, like KL Hockey Camp, without standardized vetting protocols. Camp director Amanda Tayles affirmed that Gibbs had taken responsibility for his actions, emphasizing the camp’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

Gibbs, who is still employed by Durham Regional Police Services, awaits sentencing following his guilty pleas. The absence of specific legislation for summer camps in Ontario has raised concerns among legal experts, such as Puneet Tiwari, who advocates for mandatory vulnerable sector checks for camp staff working with children.

Parents are advised to inquire about camp staff vetting procedures when selecting summer programs for their children. While OCA accreditation ensures higher standards, all camps are urged to prioritize child safety and appropriate staff screening practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.