Tofino resort co-owned by former NHL star cancels fishing derby after 'highly inappropriate behaviour' at event
A popular tourist resort in Tofino, B.C., co-owned by former NHL player Willie Mitchell, says it is operating under an interim manager after "highly inappropriate behaviour" came to light during its annual fishing tournament.
The details of the alleged behaviour are still unclear, but the Tofino Resort and Marina says it has cancelled the remainder of the Race for the Blue tournament, which was scheduled to run from Sept. 9 to Sept. 17.
It is not clear yet whether the behaviour involved Mitchell or other resort leadership.
In a brief statement published on the tournament website, the resort says it is continuing "to take steps to ensure the absolute safety and well-being of our team."
"We were extremely upset to hear about highly inappropriate behaviour connected to one of our annual events," the resort said. "Our first concern is for our staff, and we are responding to the needs of those affected."
The 1909 Kitchen and Bar, which is attached to the resort, announced on its Instagram page that it will be closed until Sunday morning.
Ollie Happyness, a member of the band Downtown Mischief, was playing at 1909 on Sunday evening when, he says, the band was asked to end the show due to a staff issue.
He says the band was scheduled to play until midnight, but performed a few extra encores for the crowd.
"At about 12:30 [a.m.] after our third encore is when the promoter came up and said, 'I'd love for you guys to keep playing, and usually it's totally cool, but there's been an issue going on with some staff members and we need to shut this place down right now and get everyone out of here,'" he recalled.
Happyness told CTV News that some people left the bar, while others remained outside for about an hour chatting.
There didn't seem to be much conversation about inappropriate behaviour that night, Happyness says, but the next morning he says he did hear that something occurred between resort management and staff – though he's unaware of specifics.
Another musician, Sarah Osborne, was scheduled to play at the resort the next day, but Happyness says her performance was cancelled.
Osborne told Happyness that her show was cancelled "because none of the staff showed up in protest because of the incidents that happened," he says.
Spokespersons for the Tofino RCMP and the Island District RCMP declined to comment on the allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Staff at the Tofino Resort and Marina also declined to discuss the allegations.
The Race for the Blue tuna derby is advertised as the "most exciting bluewater adventure experience in the Pacific Northwest," with a focus on Pacific albacore tuna.
The derby attracted anglers from the U.S. and beyond, with top prizes reaching $156,000, before it was abruptly cancelled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.