Terms used:
Act
The Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act S.C. 2009, c.23 including the regulations made pursuant to the Act, and any statute or regulations that may be substituted, as amended from time to time.
CEO
The chief executive officer of Skate Canada.
Director
An individual elected or appointed to serve on the Board pursuant to this Bylaw.
Event
The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.
Events
The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.
Falls
Defined as a loss of control by a skater with the result that the majority of the skater's body weight is on the ice being supported by any other part of the body other than the blades. e.g. hand(s), knee(s), back, buttock(s) or any part of the arm.
Good Standing
The state or condition of a person who has paid all dues outstanding to Skate Canada, a Club, or a Skating School (as applicable) and whom the Board has not declared not to be in good standing and in the case of Members, a Member whose Membership has not been terminated pursuant to Article 3 hereof.
International Competitions
Within Canada, these are defined as competitions/championships conducted according to the rules of the International Skating Union, where teams from at least one foreign country are invited by Skate Canada.
International Skating Union
The International Skating Union (ISU) is the exclusive international sport federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee administering the sports of Figure Skating and Speed Skating throughout the world. The ISU is composed of a number of national associations called ISU Members that administer ISU sports at the national level and recognize that all international matters are under the sole jurisdiction and control of the ISU.
Judge
An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to officiate at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
Judges
An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to officiate at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
Member
Each person that meets the requirements of any of the three Member classes as defined in Article 3 hereof and that has been duly admitted as a member of Skate Canada.
Members
Each person that meets the requirements of any of the three Member classes as defined in Article 3 hereof and that has been duly admitted as a member of Skate Canada.
Officer
The President and such other officers as the Board may determine by Ordinary Resolution.
President
The president of Skate Canada. The President is the chair of the Board.
Skate Canada Judge Selection Procedure - 2026 Olympic Winter Games
February 6 - 22, 2026 Milano Cortina, ITALY
Eligibility
To be eligible for selection to judge at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games (Milano Cortina 2026) a judge must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
- Canadian Citizen (Rule 42 of the Olympic Charter).
- Canadian Passport must be valid from January 15 to August 28, 2026.
- Member in good standing of Skate Canada and in compliance with Rule 102 of the International Skating Union (the “ISU”) with respect to eligibility.
- In compliance with Rule 121 of the Regulations of the ISU with respect to minimum qualifications for appointment.
- In compliance with Rule 402,1.j) of the Regulations of the ISU with respect to the minimum activity of the judge.
- Compliance with Skate Canada applicable Code of Ethics and ISU Code of Ethics.
Composition of the Olympic Judge Selection Committee (OJSC)
The OJSC will be composed of the following:
- The Chair of the Officials Assignment and Promotions Committee (OAP) – who will act as the Chair of the OJSC
- The CEO
- The President
- Two Skate Canada experienced stakeholders. A Skate Canada experienced stakeholder may include officials, members of the External Relations Committee (ERC) or coaches with successful experience at the Olympic Winter Games, in different disciplines and capacities.
The work of the OJSC will be supported by the Chief Sport Officer, the High Performance Director, and the staff lead of the OAP.
Should any member listed above under “Composition” meet the eligibility criteria and wish to be considered in the pool of Canadian judges for Milano Cortina 2026, they must declare their intention and will then be excluded from the OJSC. In the case that the Chair of the OAP is excluded, another member of the OAP, the ERC, or the High Performance Development Committee (HPDC) may be selected, provided they meet the definition of Skate Canada Experienced Stakeholders and are not in a position of conflict of interest.
The OJSC will initially be determined by the CEO, the President, and OAP Chair.
Decision Making Authority
- As an integral part of the OJSC consideration process, the appropriate Skate Canada staff will consult with coaches, excluding any coach who may be a member of the OJSC, who have a strong likelihood of being at the OWG to gather feedback on potential officials. Such feedback will be considered by the OJSC in nominating the judges.
- In respect of Milano Cortina 2026, according to the ISU draw for judges, and within two days of the ISU draw, the OJSC will nominate to the CEO for approval the final named judge(s) to be proposed to the ISU.
Subjective Criteria
The judge assessment procedure involves weighing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the eligible judges and their performance at ISU Events and international competitions in the two years prior to the nomination. It will be within the discretion of the OJSC as to how to prioritize and weight the criteria. The OJSC will have a high degree of discretion and flexibility as they deem appropriate in their decision-making process. The criteria are not limited to the following:
- Multidisciplinary official
- Fulfill the requirements to serve as a potential substitute judge while on-site at the OWG
- Ability to work well as a team with other international / ISU officials
- Discipline specific experience
- Demonstrate the ability to function in difficult situations
Conflict of Interest
All members of the OJSC must declare their intention to be excluded from the selection process in advance of participating in any part of the proceedings of the OJSC. For certainty, all members of the OJSC must be free of conflict of interest in any capacity and must recuse themselves from all discussion and decisions of the OJSC in the event a conflict of interest arises.
International Skating Union Olympic Selection Criteria
In the event of changes by the ISU to any of its eligibility criteria, such changes shall automatically and regardless of notice modify this selection procedure accordingly.
Announcements
Judges approved by the CEO will be informed of their selection to the OWG within two days after the ISU Draw.
Alternates
The OJSC will maintain an alternate list of judges who meet the eligibility requirements. In the case where a replacement is required and falls within the permissible timeline to name an alternate the OJSC will reconvene to recommend a judge to be nominated from the alternative list.
Unforeseen Circumstances
In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Skate Canada that prevent them from fairly implementing this Judge Selection Procedure as written, the CEO in consultation with the OJSC shall have the full discretion to resolve the matter as they see fit, considering such factors and circumstances that they deem relevant.
Changes to this document:
The OJSC reserves the right to make changes to this document, which in its discretion are necessary to ensure the integrity of the judge selection process. Any changes to this document shall be promptly communicated to all ISU qualified judges. Such changes must be reasonably justifiable in accordance with fundamental principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
The above Skate Canada Judge Selection Procedure was approved by the CEO on May 22, 2025
