SHOULD ANYONE TRUST LACROSSE CANADA?

By Pierre Filion pierrefilion@bell.net

Before reading this article, it is essential that readers have the opportunity to take into account Lacrosse Canada’s statement of December 5^th called ‘’A new era for Lacrosse Canada’’. It’s on Lacrosse Canada’s website on the home page. A must read.

But now here is what we have to say about the ‘’unsigned statement’’.

Nothing less than a new ERA.

‘’Lacrosse Canada is entering a new era.’’ Hey that indicates a major change.

Usually, an era refers to a long period of time. In geological terms it calls for hundreds of years. We are being told that Lacrosse Canada’s changes will last for a long period of time. All this is following an election in September 2025 where four new members joined the Board of Directors. Four members who seem to have a very high opinion of themselves.

Hey, there was an election with many mistakes in the number of votes allocated to each province. Maybe a slight reservation should be presented following an election amateurly riddled with mistakes.

Usually, an era is started by a significant change in the landscape; a socialist revolution, a coup d’état, the advent of the internet and recently AI; significant events of this nature can lead to the ‘start of an era’’; not a slim victory in a marginal election highlighted by mistakes and possible fraud.

A little bit of humility could be suggested here.

Why such a statement at this time?

The new Board of Directors was elected a little over two months ago. And today the Board issues a statement calling for important changes. Let’s not forget that Lacrosse Canada also issued its four years strategic plan a few months ago. But now seems to be the time to issue a statement telling the members that LC is entering a new era.

Why are we entering a new era?

Obviously, as mentioned in the latest statement, because the new Board is supplying ‘’fresh leadership’’, showing ‘’renewed energy’’ and committed to ‘’doing things differently’’. Can we be more simplistic here? This is elementary school talk; the same language is used for every newly elected politician or Board of Directors. ‘’Hey we are the new sheriff in town; beware’’…’’We will do things (!) differently’’. Wow, now that is something worth saying. It has significant meaning…

Understand correctly; change will happen because of the Board’s greatness, not because Lacrosse Canada is a genuine democratic failure and a bully looking for frontal collisions with the provinces. We have documented those ‘’collisions’’ in many of our past articles.

Throw everyone under the bus.

Lacrosse Canada has not acknowledged a single failure or mistake in its governance but has elected to throw past administrations under the bus and hold them responsible for whatever ‘’bad’ might have happened. But now things will be better because ‘’we will do things differently’’.

Forget reports trying to make sense of mistakes or errors, deficits or bad judgement. There is no need for reports or analysis because ‘’WE’’ have arrived blessed with ‘’fresh leadership’’ and ‘’renewed energy’’.

Lacrosse Canada’s members (the paying members) are adults; they should be treated as adults and not toyed with so they ‘’finally see’’ the greatness of the great ones who now lead and ‘’will do things differently’’. ‘’You were the problem; we are the solution’’.

One of the best ways to do away with failures is to ignore the facts and concentrate the narrative on our own greatness and on the change to be brought forward. ‘’Failures are irrelevant because they will not happen under our watch because ‘’we will earn your trust’’.

‘’We’re here to earn your trust’’.

Read this slowly and don’t laugh. ‘’We’re not here to ask for trust; we’re here to earn it through action, progress and proof.’’

That is why this well-prepared statement is so insignificant. Nowhere does it mention any action, any plan any strategy; its only lip service selling a fresh word salad.

Everyone was expecting, from such a statement, that changes would be spelled out, explained and justified. But no; nothing at all. Simply ‘’we have already begun taking action to reset how we work, how we communicate and how we serve the people who make this sport what it is’’. Say no more; say no more; you have it all there. ‘’We have already begun taking action’’. Who needs more explanation? Full transparency. Full accountability!

‘’We are not here to ask for trust’’ we are here to tell you that we are taking care of everything. ‘’Children, that is really all you need to know!!’’

‘’Send your membership fees and let us take care of everything’’. ‘’With our great leadership you might even get tired of winning’’. Just trust us.