6 individuals added to the International Skating Union’s officials list for next season
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada is proud to unveil the list of Canadian speed skating officials that have received national and international upgrades ahead of the 2025-26 competition season.
A total of 44 individuals – representing five provinces – had their officiating level upgraded after meeting the requirements set forth in the Officials’ Certification Program. This year’s list includes nine starters, five heat box stewards, four referees, four clerks of the course, four meet coordinators, three competitor stewards, one finish line judge and one announcer, as well as a handful of e-timers and lap counters
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 supervision of senior officials, and meeting certain performance requirements, such as satisfactory evaluations.
“Congratulations to the Canadian officials selected for a national upgrade ahead of the 2025-26 season. These individuals have worked tirelessly over the years to hone their skills, and these upgrades are a testament of their dedication to our sport. We’re grateful to our over 100 incredible officials, who volunteer their time both on and off the ice to ensure a safe and fair competition environment for all skaters.” – Jonathon Cavar, Manager, Sport Pathway, Speed Skating Canada
In addition to those upgraded at the national level, Canadian referees Bruce Thorpe (Alta.), Nathalie Duchesne (Que.), Amélie Ouellet (Que.) and Marc McGee (Alta.), along with starters Paul Chateau (Alta.) and Vanessa Larouche (Que.), were approved for upgrades by the International Skating Union. They are now part of the over 60 officials on the ISU list that can be assigned to officiate ISU-sanctioned competitions, including World Cups and World Championships.
| Name | PTSO | Role | Level |
| Adam Leclerc | New Brunswick | Competitor Steward ST | Apprentice National |
| Alain Pelletier | Quebec | Lap Counter ST | National |
| André Beaulieu | Quebec | E-Timer LT | National |
| Benton McNicol | Ontario | Track Steward ST | National |
| Bernard Despres | Quebec | Referee ST | National |
| Beth Elliott | British Columbia | Heat Box Steward ST | National |
| Carole Delorme | Quebec | Lap Counter ST | National |
| Carole Delorme | Quebec | Lap Counter LT | National |
| Chantal Jacques | Quebec | Clerk of the Course LT | National |
| Claude Désy | Quebec | Clerk of the Course LT | National |
| Colleen Murphy | Ontario | Starter ST | Apprentice National |
| Curt McKinnon | Manitoba | Starter LT | Apprentice National |
| Curt McKinnon | Manitoba | Starter ST | Apprentice National |
| Dave Codack | Ontario | Starter ST | Apprentice National |
| Denis Boudreau | New Brunswick | Referee ST | Apprentice National |
| Dylan Duchesne | Quebec | E-Timer ST | National |
| Éloïse Cassita | Quebec | Heat Box Steward ST | National |
| Émilie Richard | Quebec | Heat Box Steward ST | National |
| Emily Pos | British Columbia | E-Timer LT | National |
| Fanny Michaud | Quebec | Competitor Steward ST | National |
| Fanny Michaud | Quebec | E-Timer LT | National |
| France Caron | Quebec | Clerk of the Course LT | National |
| Francis Cordeau | Quebec | Referee ST | Apprentice National |
| Greg Artz | New Brunswick | E-timer ST | National |
| Isabelle Gélinas | Quebec | Meet Coordinator ST | National |
| Isabelle Gélinas | Quebec | Meet Coordinator LT | National |
| James Simpson | Ontario | Referee ST | Apprentice National |
| Jason Bettez | Ontario | Starter LT | National |
| Jason Bettez | Ontario | Starter ST | National |
| Jean Roch Bugeaud | Quebec | Announcer LT | National |
| Jodi Roberts | British Columbia | Heat Box Steward ST | National |
| Karine Leblanc-Lamarche | Quebec | Clerk of the Course LT | National |
| Karla Gimby | Ontario | Finish Line Judge ST | National |
| Luc Beaudet | Quebec | E-Timer LT | National |
| Luc Beaudet | Quebec | E-Timer ST | National |
| Lyse Fournier | Quebec | Lap Counter LT | National |
| Marie Caron | Quebec | Lap Counter ST | National |
| Marie Caron | Quebec | Lap Counter LT | National |
| Maryse Poudrier | Quebec | E-Timer ST | National |
| Nelson Dario Blanco | Quebec | Lap Counter ST | National |
| Nico Pelletier | Quebec | Competitor Steward ST | National |
| Pascal Tremblay | Quebec | Meet Coordinator ST | National |
| Robert Tremblay | Quebec | Track Steward ST | National |
| Rodrigue Huard | Quebec | Lap Counter LT | National |
| Rosaire Bélanger | Quebec | Heat Box Steward ST | National |
| Stéphane Guérin | Quebec | Lap Counter LT | National |
| Steve Alexandre | Quebec | Meet Coordinator ST | National |
| Sylvain Richard | Quebec | E-Timer ST | National |
| Sylvie-France Duchesne | Quebec | Lap Counter ST | National |
| Tao Cheng | Manitoba | Starter LT | Apprentice National |
| Tao Cheng | Manitoba | Starter ST | Apprentice National |
| Tracy Leipsic | Manitoba | Starter LT | National |
To learn more about the different types of officials needed to run a successful speed skating competition and how you can get involved, visit www.speedskating.ca/community/officials/.
CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca