Community-based initiative will introduce skating to youth, new Canadians and underrepresented groups starting in 2025
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Intact Insurance has been named presenting sponsor of Speed Skating Canada’s new Skate for All program, a community-based initiative that will provide youth, new Canadians and underrepresented groups with the opportunity to participate in no-cost local skating activities that will introduce them to one of the country’s favourite pastimes.
The Skate for All program – which also received funding from the federal government’s Community Sport for All Initiative – will see speed skating clubs across the country organize one-day events to provide new participants with inclusive and barrier-free access to the sport. The program aims to ensure that everyone in Canada has the opportunity to discover the joy of skating on ice.
Thanks to the support of Intact Insurance and the Community Sport for All Initiative, $50,000 in grants will be made available to clubs hosting Skate for All events during the 2025-26 season. Clubs will be encouraged to partner with schools and community-based organizations serving underrepresented groups to invite new audiences to their events, which could include learn to skate lessons, family skate nights, bring-a-friend sessions, or Olympic viewing parties.
“We are immensely grateful for this expanded investment Intact Insurance is making to help grow speed skating in communities across the country. Their support of our new Skate for All program will help ensure that all Canadians can lace up their skates and create lasting memories on the ice. We look forward to seeing how our clubs will engage their community and leverage the ongoing success of our Canadian athletes to introduce the sport to new participants,” shared Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada
As a partner of Speed Skating Canada since 2006, Intact Insurance has been heavily involved in the development of speed skaters at all levels of the sport. The home and auto insurance leader serves as premier sponsor of Canada’s national speed skating teams, while supporting grassroots sport development through the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award, which has provided over $400,000 in funding directly to speed skating clubs since 2010.
Intact Insurance also presents a nation-wide tour of Olympic and World Championship medalists under the Medals on Tour banner, which was introduced after Beijing 2022 and will return next spring following Milano-Cortina 2026.
“Intact Insurance is proud to support Speed Skating Canada in enhancing accessibility to skating through the launch of the new Skate for All program. We believe that all Canadians, regardless of their background and circumstances, should have the opportunity to participate in sports. This inclusive, community-based initiative will help get more people active and on the ice,” said Marie-Pierre Leclerc, Vice President, Marketing – Intact Insurance, Customer Experience & Insights
The new Skate for All initiative, along with the First & Fast Strides learn to skate program launched in 2024, are just some of the investments Speed Skating Canada is making in grassroots sport to help achieve its mission of building a fun, safe and inclusive speed skating community across Canada that empowers everyone to grow strong and healthy.
CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca