Newmarket and Kamloops join the fold as first-time hosts this season; national events returning to Rivière-du-Loup, Prince George and Dieppe after over a decade

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada and host organizing committees from 11 different communities across the country will partner to host a total of 16 national-level competitions – including ten in short track and six in long track – during the upcoming 2024-25 season, which runs from September to March.

With 11 locations spanning five provinces, this season’s domestic competition calendar features the largest number of host communities in the organization’s history. Familiar facilities in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Laval, Calgary and Fort St. John will be joined by five additional hosts from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick to round out the competition schedule.

Welcoming national-level athletes and coaches for the very first time are Newmarket, Ont., and Kamloops, B.C. – the Tournament Capital of Canada – who will host the Short Track Canada Cup Junior Final and Canadian Youth Short Track Championships West, respectively.

A return to Dieppe, N.B., Rivière-du-Loup, Que. and Prince George, B.C. is also on the calendar. The Codiac Cyclones in Dieppe last hosted a national championship in 2007, while Rivière-du-Loup, Que. and Prince George, B.C., home of the 2015 Canada Winter Games, are back in the hosting fold after over a decade.

“We’re very excited for the 2024-25 competition season, which will feature the largest field of national event hosts in our organization’s history. Interest in hosting our events has grown tremendously over the past few years, which has helped us showcase national-level speed skating in a number of different communities across the country. These new hosting relationships are vital in helping our sport grow and we have full confidence that the volunteers at this season’s events will be able to successfully create unique and memorable experiences for all participants, both on and off the ice.”

Jill Lynch, Manager, Events and Partnerships at Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada’s longstanding partner, Intact Insurance, returns as presenting sponsor of all Canadian Championships for the 2024-25 season, which includes championship-level events for senior, junior, neo-junior and youth aged skaters.

“Intact Insurance is proud to continue supporting the organization and delivery of Speed Skating Canada’s national championships. We are committed to helping this sport grow in communities across the country and our support helps local organizing committees put together events that provide athletes, coaches and officials with a memorable and positive experience. We are excited for the upcoming speed skating season and cannot wait to cheer on these incredible athletes as they strive to achieve new heights, be it a personal best time or a spot on the Canadian squad that competes on the world stage.”

Humberto Valencia, Vice President, Marketing, Customer and Data Experience at Intact Insurance

The national short track season kicks off with the Canadian Short Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance from September 13-15 at the historic Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal. Meanwhile, the Canadian Long Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance will return to the Centre de glace Intact Assurance for the first time since 2022, from October 17-20.

These two prestigious competitions will help select the skaters that will represent Canada on the World Cup circuit this fall, which includes stops in Montreal for short track in October and Calgary for long track in January.

For more information on Speed Skating Canada’s domestic competition calendar, visit www.speedskating.ca/events. Note that all events taking place during the 2024-25 season will be live streamed on Speed Skating Canada’s YouTube channel.

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