In the wake of nearly 50 sex-related charges levied against former women’s ski coach Bertrand Charest, Alpine Canada has released a statement detailing the actions the organization took in 1998 after they became aware of the alleged offences.
According to Alpine Canada, they were first informed of Charest’s inappropriate contact with a female team member in February, 1998. The organization immediately launched an internal investigation, banning Charest from contact with the team while the investigation was ongoing.
Several days later, Charest resigned from his coaching role. The RCMP was contacted and Alpine Canada offered its full co-operation and professional counseling to the athletes.
Eight women have now stepped forward with charges against Charest. The women were minors when the alleged offences occurred – between 1992 and 1998. Charest appeared in a St. Jerome, Que. courthouse on Monday (March 16) for a bail hearing. A publication ban has been placed on the hearing.
Charest worked for Alpine Canada between 1996 and 1998 as a coach of the women’s development team. He’s also worked with Team Quebec, Team Laurentians and the Mont Tremblant ski team. The alleged incidents took place in Mont-Tremblant, Que., and while Charest was accompanying skiers in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and overseas in France, Austria and New Zealand.
The RCMP is encouraging other potential victims to come forward.
Most of the Alpine Canada staff has changed since 1998, but the organization said it will co-operate fully with the authorities.
