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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.