Ontario Unification:
Questions & Answers, Update #6
The following document accompanies the Skate Canada “Pathway to a United & Stronger
Ontario” brochure (available online at: SkateCanada.ca/Section Offices) and addresses questions from the Skate
Canada membership regarding the proposed amendment for the Unification of Ontario. This is a living
document and members are welcome to submit questions that will be added. For your convenience,
the questions are grouped into three areas: Ontario’s New Skating Structure, Regions & Clubs and
Volunteers. Please forward your questions to: larai@skatecanada.ca.
ONTARIO’S NEW SKATING STRUCTURE
1. Why is Ontario moving to one Section from five Skating Organizations (four regional
Sections and the recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO), Skate Ontario)?
Updated March 11, 2016
While there is tremendous work accomplished within each of the Sections and the PSO, the
delivery of programs, opportunities and support is fragmented and varies across the Sections within
Ontario. The Provincial Government is changing how they recognize PSOs through a revision of
the Ontario Sport Recognition Policy. The absence of a strong single provincial wide sport delivery
model in Ontario may result in in the loss of close to $1,000,000 of funding from the Ministry of
Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) and other provincial initiatives. Skating in Ontario relies on this
funding to assist with execution of the wide range of programming including Skate for Life
(recreation) and Skate to Win (competitive).
2. What is the process for creating the new Section? Updated March 11, 2016
If the Ontario Section amendment to Skate Canada Bylaw is passed by voting members of
Skate Canada at the 2016 Skate Canada Annual Convention and General Meeting on May 28,
2016, there will be a one year transition to fully plan the details of the new Section and to develop a
staged implementation rollout. An Interim Board will be appointed for the new unified Section to
facilitate this work. Simultaneously, the current five Ontario skating organizations will continue to
run skating as it has always existed. The new Ontario Section will be operational in April 2017.
3. Will the Unification of Ontario impact unification of other Sections across Canada?
Updated March 11, 2016
No. With the exception of Ontario, all other provinces are currently structured under one
Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). This singular structure enables the nine other Sections across
Canada to qualify for the full spectrum of their respective provincial funding.
4. How will the Board of the proposed unified Section with a recommended Board size of 8-12
individuals run the Ontario Section when over 60 Board members currently sit on the current
five Ontario Boards? Updated March 11, 2016
The recommended Board governance structure of the unified Section is that of an Engaged
Policy Board operating with both standing and operational committees. The current Section Boards
address policy but also have dedicated Board members concentrating on operational concerns.
The unified Section will require the expertise and knowledge of all these volunteers within the new
structure.
Updated April 26, 2016
5. How will the Interim Board of Directors be structured? Updated March 11, 2016
The Ontario Sections Working Committee has recommended an Interim Board to lead the
transition year and to create a permanent board structure. The recommended mix includes
representation from the four Ontario Sections, Skate Ontario, stakeholders and the Ontario Sections
Working Committee as well as specific skill sets for transition (Human Resources, Legal, Finance,
etc.). New Working Committees will also be established to make final recommendations to the
Board on the details and design of the new Section.
6. What is the mandate of the Interim Board of Directors? Updated March 11, 2016
The Interim Board of Directors will have a mandate to accomplish in the subsequent nine months
including:
1. Governance of the permanent board - total number of members, mix and size of Board, terms of
reference and voting processes and develop bylaws of the unified Section.
2. Structure – determine the final number and boundaries of the Districts with a Working Committee
established by the Board that composes both staff and stakeholders.
3. Staffing: Hire an Executive Director for the unified Section who will be integral in supporting the
Board in determining staffing levels and obligations as well as address operational concerns
including:
o Programs, Competitions and Events – mandate to design, implement, deliver, oversee
and report on programs, activities and events that meet the goals of all stakeholders in
the following areas:
Recreation, StarSkate, Learn to Skate
Synchro
Adult and Skate for Life
Talent ID
Competitions
High Performance & Athlete
Competitive Skaters
Development Support
Other – Athletes with Disabilities, High
Officials
School & Collegiate
Rural and Remote Area
Coaches
Program Development Club
Volunteers
Support.
o Define the new organization - workforce plan with functions, roles and structure that will
support the successful delivery of the mandate of the Section.
o Physical offices – a hybrid of centralized office space combined with offices (virtual or
physical) and staff who would work at different locations across the Province.
o Financials – with a Working Committee, determine budget and planning as well as plans
for the use of Reserves.
7. With one event schedule, how will the events be selected? How will Sectionals be run?
Updated March 11, 2016
The Interim Board will create a Working Committee that includes representation from the current
Ontario Sections to determine how to proceed with one event calendar and the process for
Sectionals. This event calendar will include events across both avenues of skating including Skate
for Life (recreation) and Skate to Win (competitive) that takes into consideration the existing
longstanding events, Hall of Fame and ice shows that are a special part of each current Section.
8. Will activities and services be centred in Toronto? Updated March 11, 2016
All attempts will be made to organize the new Section with fairness while respecting the
demographic and geographic considerations of the Ontario skating population. The Working
Committee recommended that attention be given to rural and remote area program development
and to equitable access to services.
Updated April 26, 2016
9. Does the unification of Ontario positively or negatively impact other sections in Canada?
Updated March 18, 2016
A strong and united Ontario will strengthen Skate Canada’s national presence across
Canada. Ontario is home to 40% of Skate Canada registrants and, as a result, will be the largest
single section. Should the amendment be endorsed by the membership, the new Ontario Section
will have a coordinated planning and delivery strategy for the entire province that may facilitate
additional opportunities for collaboration with other sections across Canada.
10. Under consolidation would the new Ontario Section now be the Provincial Sports
Organization (PSO)? Will it achieve parity and consistency with all the other Skate Canada
Sections in Canada? Updated March 18, 2016
Yes. The new Ontario section will comply and fulfill the requirements of the Ontario Sport
Recognition Policy and be recognized as the sole Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for Figure
Skating in Ontario. This will now mean that the Ontario Section will now be recognized both by the
National Sports Organization, Skate Canada, and the Government of Ontario. This will achieve
parity and will be consistent with all other Sections across Canada.
11. What will happen to the current sectional offices? Updated March 18, 2016
The locations of the unified Ontario section offices depend on how the districts are determined
by the Interim Board and its Working Committee. In addition, all existing leases and obligations will
be examined and recommendations made on how to proceed accordingly. There is a need for
office space and a combination of both physical and / or virtual offices will be considered.
12. Will one organization lead to provincial wide sponsorship opportunities? Updated March 18, 2016
For a unified Ontario Section with approximately 75,000 registrants and the ability to hold true
Provincial Championships and events, there are enhanced opportunities for attracting future
sponsorship and a powerful framework for an effective marketing and sponsorship strategy.
13. How would unification impact the development of coaches & officials? Updated March 18, 2016
For coaches, a unified Ontario Section would aid in curriculum and consistency of delivery,
scheduling and coordination of courses, information flow and ensuring understanding and reach,
with consistent format and an enhanced on-line capability. There would be a greater ability to
ensure access and reach across Ontario, and to find delivery methods that enhance support.
For officials, scheduling coordination would be enhanced, as would programs with a dedicated
focus on development and promotion. Most importantly, there will be an enhanced ability to align
Officials and Coaches training and opportunity to leverage common training opportunities.
14.If unification does not occur, what is the status of figure skating as a PSO in Ontario? How
will funding be impacted in the short & long term? Updated March 18, 2016
PSO recognition and base funding is stable for 2016-17. However, the Ontario Ministry of
Tourism Culture and Sport has recently released and is implementing the Ontario Government’s
Sport Plan “Game ON”. This plan prioritizes updating and refocusing the sport recognition policy to
clarify responsibilities for PSOs. The policy will clearly outline the requirements that every PSO must
meet in order to be a recognized provincial body for sport and ensure these organizations continue
to offer high-quality and safe programs and services to Ontario's diverse population. The anticipated
release date for the new policy is late spring 2016. Ontario Sport Organizations must reapply for
PSO status before applying to a redesigned funding program to be launched in early fall 2016. The
new funding program will be designed to ensure that government investments in sport are aligned
with the “Game ON” commitments, and to lead to greater financial certainty for PSOs and to help
strengthen athlete programming.
Updated April 26, 2016
Skate Ontario is currently anticipating these policy changes and working hard to ensure
compliancy but there are presently compliancy stipulations in the PSO Sport Recognition Policy that
cannot be fulfilled due to the current fractured governance structure for figure skating in Ontario.
We do know if PSO recognition is lost, all MTSC funding and access to Ministry programming
will be unavailable.
15. In many of the questions it says that the Interim Board will make the decision but nowhere
does it say how someone can apply to be on the Interim Board or how/who will be selected.
Updated March 24, 2016
The Interim Board will be appointed by the Skate Ontario Board, the Directors of which are the
duly elected Chairs of the four current Ontario Sections, and the President and Past President of
Skate Ontario. The Mandate, Terms of Reference, Skill Matrix, and Selection Process for the
Interim Board are presently being developed by outside consultants, familiar with the Ontario
skating environment and with expertise in the governance of non-profit organizations.
Seeking Interim Board representation from across the province, the Skate Ontario Board is
developing with input from all five current skating organizations in Ontario a list of experienced
individuals able to fulfill the following competencies:
 Governance
PSO/Provincial Government Relations
 Finance
Competition/Events
 Legal
Program Delivery
 Structure/Regions
Administration/Human Resources
 Marketing/Communication
Club Support
 Sport Technical/Coaching
Volunteerism
Using the defined selection process, prospective candidates will be identified and then contacted
to gauge their interest in serving on the Interim Board.
16.The information seems to overlook the impact of unification on the skaters. Can you provide
additional detail on the expected changes that affect the skater population? Updated March 24, 2016
The unification of the Ontario Sections will have a very positive impact on the skater population
of Ontario at all levels. The CanSkate program will remain as the grassroots program for all
Canadian Learn to Skate athletes at the Club and Skating School level. The biggest impact of
unification on Ontario athletes will be in the development pathway after the CanSkate programming.
Unifying Ontario will allow for a consistent province wide development model for all athletes to
understand and follow, whether they are pursuing the sport at the elite competitive level or through
the StarSkate programming. Events will have common formats throughout the province for
competition type, seminar and workshop opportunities. Each and every competition, seminar or
workshop will operate in the same manner, with consistent information being offered to all of the
participants across Ontario. All levels of competitive skating will result in a Provincial
Championship with the strongest representation from the province moving forward to the national
championship events. There will be a Provincial Championship for the StarSkate categories similar
in concept to the present Skate Ontario Championships. A consistent development pathway will
allow each and every athlete in Ontario the equitable opportunity to pursue their own athletic goals
in the sport and help them achieve those goals no matter where they live within the province.
17. The current sections, Skate Ontario & some regions within sections are registered legal
entities – what happens to these organizations post-unification? Updated March 24, 2016
The current Sections will each vote on a motion to amalgamate with the other Sections and
Skate Ontario. The Interim Board will define the districts that comprise the unified Ontario Section,
and the Ontario Section’s by-laws should be amended accordingly. The recommendation is that
Updated April 26, 2016
once the unified Ontario Section comes into effect (April 1, 2017), the new districts should function
as operating committees of the new Section. Any revisions to the existing Regions may require
further restructuring (e.g. amalgamation with other another Region(s) that is also a legal entity).
Representatives from your current Section will have a strong influence regarding any such
restructuring.
18. Unification is expected to guarantee more and stable funding for skaters in Ontario. Will the
money be allocated for programming in district areas in direct proportion to population or will
the money be allocated through some other formula or based on other criteria?
Updated April 4, 2016
With a strong compliant Provincial Sport Organization (PSO), the ability to access the full
spectrum of provincial funding and programming will be enhanced. Provincial funding through
Quest for Gold, Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario, and Sport Priority Funding is targeted to Ontario
athletes on the developmental pathway to the National Team. The criteria for selection to
participate in such programming are age and performance-based that are established with input
from the Ministry, the PSO and the NSO, Skate Canada.
The Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) and the Ontario Trillium
Foundation (OTF) for example, can provide funding for projects designed with a provincial wide
perspective. A recent example of an OSRCF funded project is the CanSkate Kits that were
provided to all Ontario Clubs offering CanSkate, clubs with larger CanSkate programs were
provided with two kits. The Skate Ontario Club Consultation Program currently underway is funded
through the OTF. This initiative, offering 25+ workshops throughout Ontario with travel support
available, is a province-wide project accessible to all clubs.
So, depending on the project, funding would be allocated based on the intent and reach of the
design.
19. How does centralizing expertise help geographically dispersed regions? What expertise is
being centralized? Updated April 4, 2016
Standardization of programming, support, training, and format, ensuring there is access and
equitable opportunity across the province for coaching and officials’ development, leveraging of
training opportunities, and the ability to ensure that there is a common and coordinated flow of
information, will all help to deliver a more equitable and accessible service to all stakeholders. It will
be the responsibility of the unified Ontario Section to ensure there is effective reach of all elements
of skating, skater needs, and support to clubs/coaching etc. within rural and remote areas.
20. It seems that one of the primary reasons to unify Ontario is to maintain/achieve provincial
funding. How much MTSC and Ministry programming funding has been provided to the
Northern Ontario section in the last three years? What financial or athlete incentives exist for
skaters in Northern Ontario should unification proceed? Updated April 19, 2016
After the administrative and programming expenses for Skate Ontario were accounted for, Skate
Ontario’s base funding allocation from the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport was until 2014
equally distributed for program delivery amongst the four Ontario Sections. Approximately 75% of
the base funding was directed to the four Ontario Sections. After the 2013-14 fiscal year, Skate
Ontario was no longer permitted to redistribute base funding as directed by the Ministry and
increased staff in order to take on more direct programming. Skate Ontario’s two provincially
funded major initiatives in the past two years, the CanSkate Kits and the ongoing Club Consultation
Project, treated each club in Ontario equitably.
The high performance development activities are based on age and performance criteria set in
cooperation with Skate Canada, the CSIO and the MTCS. Development activities were extended to
all Challenge Team members representing an Ontario Section. Due to budgetary considerations
Updated April 26, 2016
and location of the CSIO, activities were centralized at the NPC. Monitoring of athletes was done at
their primary training facility.
Should unification proceed, equitable opportunity and access for all Ontario athletes will be the
norm. Skater support, such as performance awards, bursaries, financial aid, will be accessible
equitably across the whole province. The Working Committee report calls for special attention to
the issues of rural and small clubs and for consideration of geographic limitations.
21. Will you be centralizing all competitive activities in the Toronto area? How will you factor in
the distance, time, and cost for competitive skaters, parents, and coaches from outlining
regions to access centralized, training opportunities if such will exist? Currently, for
example in the North, a skater had to drive 18 hours to compete at the Star Skate
Championships and they were held in Northern Ontario. No one from the Eastern, Western,
or central regions had to travel that far. If centralization takes place, will skaters like this be
eliminated from competitive skating with the new model? Updated April 19, 2016
There will not be a centralized competition structure running in the province of Ontario. There
will be competitive events in all regions of the province, to allow all athletes opportunities that are
accessible and affordable. The factors that are mentioned in the question regarding distance, time,
and cost will be reflected in the placement of these events. In the case of Ontario Championship
events, a bid process will determine the locations. All athletes qualifying for an Ontario
Championship will travel to compete in the city or town which has won the bid.
A unified Ontario will allow for a competitive calendar that is balanced and appropriate for the
development of the athletes at all levels within the province based on the Skate Canada LTAD, and
a structure that is consistently delivered at all events throughout the province.
22. In reading through the Q&A’s of March 11th and 18th, it appears that a number of Working
Committees (WC) will be established by the Interim Board, ie: District Boundary Structure
WC, Schedule Event Calendar WC, Regional Structure WC, and Reserve Money WC. Will
members of all these Working Committees be drawn from the Interim Board? This seems
like a potentially very heavy workload for a relatively small group of people who for the most
part are volunteers. Updated April 19, 2016
The time commitment and workload for the Interim Board members will certainly be heavy but
will be designed to be manageable. Presently, outside consultants are working with input from the
five Ontario skating organizations and Skate Canada, to develop the Terms of Reference for the
transitional Interim Board. The expectation is that each Interim Board member, will chair one or two
Resource Teams or Working Committees composed of individuals and staff from the skating
community with the appropriate expertise and focus. In addition, hiring of an Executive Director
responsible for the operational management of the new Ontario Section will be one of the first
responsibilities of the transitional Interim Board.
23. As I understand it, the new Ontario section will come into being on April 1, 2017. Can you tell
us what the timeline will be for bringing the new Board for the new Ontario Section into
being? Will Ontario clubs be voting for individuals to fill those Board seats? What will the
process be for those wishing to serve? Updated April 19, 2016
The transitional Interim Board will be tasked with developing the articles and bylaws for the new
Ontario Section. These bylaws will detail the Election of Directors and will conform to the
compliancy requirements of Skate Canada and the Ontario Sport Recognition Policy. A
Nomination Committee and attendant procedures will be established as part of the governance
piece. The new Board will have to be in place by April 1, 2017 and the appropriate procedural
timeline would reflect this reality. The voting members of the new Ontario Section will be the
Ontario Clubs.
Updated April 26, 2016
24. When we have questions, will we have to leave a message or email like Skate Canada or will
we be able to talk to someone? Updated April 26, 2016
The intent is to develop a strong client focus when dealing with clubs, athletes, coaches,
officials, and volunteers and to establish an organization wide focus on outstanding client
service. The Working Committee recommended that there be direct staff interfaces between the
Section and our major stakeholders and that the personal touch remain a priority going forward.
25. How will the election of the interim board (transition committee) be held – appointment or
open call? Updated April 26, 2016
The interim board (or transition committee as there will be no legal Board fiduciary
responsibilities) will be appointed. The Skate Ontario Board, of which the four Section Chairs are
directors, will be making the final selection and appointment. There will be a clearly defined
selection process and skills matrix developed by a third party consultant. There will be an open call
for expression of interest in serving and a solicitation of nominations from the current five skating
organizations.
26. How will the new unified Ontario Section promote inclusivity of all areas of the
province? Updated April 26, 2016
Every athlete, club, volunteer, official and coach will be offered the same developmental and
enrichment opportunities regardless of geography. There will be consistent province wide policies
for skater support, and the ability to enhance talent identification across the province so that all
athletes can achieve at their level of ability and interest. Equitable opportunity and access will be a
strong priority in the design of programming for the unified Section.
27. I have a question regarding the unification of Ontario, which has not been addressed in the
Q&A. The CPC Judging System Regulations Section B notes that for the Canadian
Championships and Challenge that the Technical Specialist and the Assistant Technical
Specialist may not be from the same Skate Canada section... The Referee and Technical
Controller should not be from the same section... In no case shall all three technical officials
be from the same Skate Canada section. For the purpose of this rule, and as a de facto
section if not a de jure section, will Ontario be treated as one Skate Canada section for the
2016-2017 year? Updated April 26, 2016
As the four Ontario Sections remain in place and operating until April 1, 2017 when the new
unified Section is fully recognized by Skate Canada, for the purpose of the 2016-17 competitive
season, the status quo remains and the four Ontario Sections would be treated as separate
Sections.
REGIONS & CLUBS
28. What will happen to the Regions, both incorporated and unincorporated, of the current
Sections under unification? Updated March 11, 2016
Each of the current Sections have different regional structures. Some Sections have regions
that are incorporated, have Boards, revenues and budgets, and deliver competitions and /or offer
some programming and/or skater support. Other Sections and regions have no financial
considerations but are groupings of clubs that meet to facilitate test days and inter-club events. The
Interim Board will create a Working Committee that includes representation from the current Ontario
Sections and stakeholders to address the regional issue brought forth by unification.
Updated April 26, 2016
29. How will Ontario Clubs and club operations be impacted by the proposed unification of
Ontario? Updated March 11, 2016
Clubs will continue to operate as usual. The support organization may change as the new
Ontario Section districts are defined but the support structure and the services offered to clubs will
be maintained and may indeed be enhanced. The impact on day-to-day operations will be minimal.
30. What will be done with the reserve money from the current sections within Ontario?
Updated March 11, 2016
The Interim Board will create a Working Committee that includes representation from the current
Ontario Sections. Together, they will establish a plan, programs and activities for allocating these
funds for skating that creates some legacy connection with the former Sections during the transition
year and into the future.
31. How many regions or districts will exist under a unified structure? Will they be along the
lines of current sections or regions? Updated March 18, 2016
The Ontario Sections Working Committee final report recommended an Ontario Section with up
to six to eight districts. It will be the mandate of the Interim Board to form a Working Committee to
find an equitable and sustainable solution that collaborates and consults stakeholders to weigh a
wide range of factors including the geographical and demographical realities of the skating
population.
32. What considerations will be given to employment of current staff in the new organization?
Updated March 18, 2016
During the transition period, existing staff will continue the work they have been doing in running
skating operations and activities in the Regions. All existing staff will be considered for future
opportunities with the unified Section.
33. The Ontario Unification brochure says "Respects the proud tradition of present events". As
a club that runs a successful competition that financially supports our club, the opportunity
to continue to run and profit from that competition is essential to the club and our skaters.
Are we guaranteed to continue to receive sanction for our event or will the Ontario Section
be taking over all competitions? Updated April 4, 2016
Similar to other Skate Canada Sections, a unified Ontario Section would be the sanctioning body
for Ontario skating competitions. The competition calendar will be designed to offer appropriate
competitive opportunities for each LTAD stage and to continue to provide profit-making
opportunities for area clubs. The Working Committee Report advocates that any future competition
calendar should respect the proud tradition of established invitational events.
34. The brochure on centralization refers to "centralized expertise, operations and services
delivery". What operations and services will be centralized? Do clubs have the ability to optin or out of centralized operations as appropriate for their club? Updated April 4, 2016
The recommended framework for the future, provided in the Ontario Working Committee Report,
recommends provincial oversight over operations and services with a mix of provincial and district
delivery appropriate to context.
At the provincial level and relating to club support, club excellence programs aligned to the
following would be centralized: national initiatives, club consultation delivery, best practices
workshops and seminars, communication and coordination of national programming initiatives as
directed by Skate Canada, criteria and scheduling around test days and the Judges Bureau. There
will be a district point of contact for clubs to get help, insights and answers to questions.
Updated April 26, 2016
The relationship and governance between Skate Canada, the Section, and the Club will be the
same as any Section in Canada as mandated in the Skate Canada bylaws, policies, procedures,
and processes.
35. In setting up the regional and competition structure, will the working committees look at
what works well / what could be improved within existing sectional structures? Will they
look at holding focus groups (or some other means of consultation) with various sized clubs
and regions to gain input? Updated April 19, 2016
The working committees will be tasked with building new common province wide structures that
compliment and strengthen what presently exists. This will involve auditing existing structures,
policies, and processes, determining what works well, and incorporating the many successful
sectional and regional initiatives into a province wide encompassing framework. Consultation
needs to be a cornerstone of this process, the format of which would be a decision for the Interim
Board and the working committees.
36. Is this going to cost our clubs or coaches any money for these changes. Updated April 26, 2016
There will be expense inherent in the design of the unified Section and the amalgamation of the
five current Ontario skating organizations. These costs will be handled at the Sectional level
through a fair, proportional, transparent and negotiated formula. The costs to date have been borne
by Skate Ontario and Skate Canada.
VOLUNTEERS
37. How will this new Ontario Section impact me as a volunteer? Updated March 11, 2016
Skate Canada and all of its Sections depends on the strong support, immense knowledge base
and expertise of our volunteers. We could not run the comprehensive programming and events
without all the dedicated volunteers. With the new Ontario Section and one event calendar, there
will be numerous opportunities for volunteering at events and through committee work at both the
Sectional and District level. We look forward to the continued support as we move towards an
equitable and sustainable Ontario Section for all of our stakeholders.
Updated April 26, 2016