20 Canadians promoted on the International Skating Union’s list of officials
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada is proud to unveil the list of Canadian speed skating officials who have received national and international upgrades ahead of the 2023-24 competition season.
A total of 41 individuals – representing seven provinces and territories – had their officiating status upgraded to a national level after meeting the requirements set forth in the Officials’ Certification Program. This year’s list includes 14 referees, eight starters, as well as a handful of competitors stewards, clerks of the course, meet coordinators, recorders, judges, and announcers.
To earn a national upgrade, an official must develop their craft through a series of on-ice and off-ice training and professional development, which includes completing technical courses, gathering competition experience under the mentorship of senior officials, and meeting certain performance requirements, such as satisfactory assessments.
In addition to those upgraded at the national level, 20 Canadian officials were approved for upgrades by the International Skating Union this season. This group includes eight starters, eight referees, three competitors stewards and two sport experts. These newly upgraded officials can now represent Canada on the international stage through assignments to ISU-sanctioned competitions, including World Cups and Championships for those with INT-W or ISU status.
Following these recent upgrades, Canada now has 50 active short track (23) and long track (27) officials at the international level, as outlined in ISU Communication No. 2571.
To learn more about the different types of officials needed to run a successful speed skating competition and how you can get involved, visit the Officials section of our website.
International Upgrades
| Name | PTSO | Discipline | Role and Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean-Philippe Lemay | Quebec | Short Track | Competitors Steward INT |
| Sue Steckle | Alberta | Short Track | Competitors Steward INT |
| Claire Loberg | Alberta | Short Track | Competitors Steward ISU |
| Rhona Hathaway | Alberta | Long Track | Referee INT |
| Chris Gauthier | New Brunswick | Short Track | Referee INT |
| Olivier Levesque | Quebec | Short Track | Referee INT |
| Caroline Truchon | Quebec | Short Track | Referee INT |
| Robin Greig | Northwest Territories | Short Track | Referee INT-W |
| Moyca Stoffel | Saskatchewan | Long Track | Referee ISU-A |
| Philippe Marois | Quebec | Long Track | Referee ISU-A |
| Dany Lemay | Quebec | Short Track | Referee ISU-V |
| Danielle Lavoie | Quebec | Long Track | Sport Expert INT |
| Sue Steckle | Alberta | Long Track | Sport Expert INT |
| John Muller | Alberta | Long Track | Starter INT |
| Paul Woodall | Ontario | Long Track | Starter INT |
| Andrew Cross | Alberta | Short Track | Starter INT |
| Carolyn MacKay | British Colombia | Short Track | Starter INT |
| Jacqueline Fackoury | Ontario | Short Track | Starter INT-W |
| Blair Toblan | Alberta | Long Track | Starter ISU |
| Kim Fraunberger | Nova Scotia | Long Track | Starter ISU |
| Yves Michaud | Quebec | Short Track | Starter ISU |
National Upgrades
| Name | PTSO | Discipline | Role and Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benoit Lamarche | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Announcer 3 |
| Daniel Dubreuil | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Announcer 3 |
| Mikael Côté | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Announcer 3 |
| Katia Pruneau | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Clerk of the Course 3 |
| Sonia Lampron | Quebec | Short Track | Clerk of the Course 3 |
| Nicole Van Lierop | Ontario | Short Track | Competitors Steward 3 |
| Maryse Poudrier | Quebec | Long Track | E-Timer 3 |
| Nicolas Boilard | Quebec | Short Track | E-Timer 3 |
| Sonia Proteau | Quebec | Short Track | E-Timer 3 |
| Leona MacGregor | British Columbia | Both ST+LT | Judge 3 |
| Shadi Salehi | British Columbia | Both ST+LT | Judge 3 |
| Rodrigue Huard | Quebec | Long Track | Lap Recorder 3 |
| Stephanie Miersch | Quebec | Long Track | Lap Recorder 3 |
| David Richard | Quebec | Short Track | Meet Coordinator 3 |
| Nancy Wilson | Quebec | Short Track | Meet Coordinator 3 |
| Emmanuelle Paré | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Recorder 3 |
| Brent Thompson | Nova Scotia | Long Track | Referee 3A |
| Andrée-Anne Gagnon | Quebec | Long Track | Referee 3A |
| Amélie Ouellet | Quebec | Short Track | Referee 3A |
| Jeff Wang | Alberta | Short Track | Referee 3A |
| Nathalie Duchesne | Quebec | Short Track | Referee 3A |
| Marc McGee | Alberta | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Christopher Stone | Alberta | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Amanda Leonard | British Columbia | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Eric Lecompte | Ontario | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Sandra Grenier-Howell | Ontario | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Shauna Leigh Van Lierop | Ontario | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Audrée Gagnon | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Cédric Perron | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Referee 3B |
| Paul Chateau | Alberta | Long Track | Starter 3A |
| Vanessa Larouche | Quebec | Short Track | Starter 3A |
| Blair Chapman | Northwest Territories | Both ST+LT | Starter 3B |
| Jason Bettez | Ontario | Both ST+LT | Starter 3B |
| Ken George | Ontario | Both ST+LT | Starter 3B |
| Charlie Smith | Quebec | Both ST+LT | Starter 3B |
| Jean-Patrice Tremblay | Quebec | Short Track | Starter 3B |
| Robert Makowsky | Saskatchewan | Both ST+LT | Starter 3B |
| Thierry Arbour | Quebec | Short Track | Track Steward 3 |