National hockey, curling organizations not taking page out of Skate Canada’s Alberta playbook

Rachel Aiello has the latest on Skate Canada's decision to no longer host national or international-level events in Alberta due to the province's gender laws.

Hockey Canada and Curling Canada say they have no plans to take a page out of Skate Canada’s playbook, when it comes to future events in Alberta.

On Wednesday, CTV News reached out to several winter sporting organizations to inquire if any were considering taking a similar decision to the national governing body for figure skating, which has put the province on ice as a host over its new law prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in female amateur sports.

“We have no plans to adjust our event schedule at this time,” said Hockey Canada chief of staff Jeremy Knight, in a statement.

And, with the World Women’s Curling Championship coming to Calgary in March, Curling Canada also isn’t planning on moving events out of Alberta.

“Our plans remain unchanged,” said spokesperson Al Cameron in a statement. “The consequences would have a significant financial impact on Curling Alberta, as well as Alberta-based host clubs for events. We continue to support the rights of all athletes to participate in our sport in the manner in which they choose.”

Cameron also said Curling Canada will continue to consult stakeholders going forward.

Skate Canada said it was unable to put on events in Alberta while upholding its national standards for safe and inclusive sport.

And while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said the organization’s move is “offside with the international community,” Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden said all Canadians should be able to participate in sports, without discrimination, including the transgender community.

“National sport organizations like Skate Canada operate independently from the government and make decisions with respect to the individual rights of athletes, based on science and evidence, specific to their sport.”

LGBTQ2S+ advocates and those opposed to Smith’s policies have expressed hope that Skate Canada taking a stand could be the tip of the iceberg, though while no other comparable sport entities have followed suit yet, pro-inclusion advocates say individuals also have the ability to have their voices heard, through the dollars they choose to spend – or not – at sporting events. “It’s unfortunate this has to happen,” said You Can Play’s chief operations officer Kurt Weaver. “But absolutely, it is something we have to do to communicate to the government when it is overreaching, especially within our sports and our sport communities.”