In order to ensure that all of its policies are current to the most recent standards, Curling Canada mandated the Sport Law and Strategy Group (SLSG) to conduct an independent review. As a result of this review, Curling Canada has adopted the policies that can be found on this webpage. Curling Canada is committed to reviewing and updating these policies as often as necessary in order to ensure that they consistently satisfy the highest standards.
Accordion Content
U-18
U-20
MIXED
Teams are responsible for their own airfare or ground transportation to the event
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Teams are responsible for their own airfare or ground transportation to the event
SENIORS
Teams are responsible for their own airfare or ground transportation to the event
WHEELCHAIR
Travel for four (4) athletes + one (1) coach
ACCOMMODATION
Team responsibility for Clubs, Seniors, U18, U20, and Mixed.
$1,000 per team for wheelchair
STAY-TO-PAY:
This accommodation subsidy is based on a Stay-To-Pay policy which means teams are eligible for the 67% refund only if they stay in the Curling Canada designated Host Hotel. Curling Canada will make best efforts to book at a minimum, 3-star+ hotels with appropriate amenities and reasonable prices.
Curling Canada team funding for the Tournament of Hearts and Brier will include four (4) players and one (1) coach only. Teams will be allowed to bring one (1) alternate player with them but at their own team’s expense including on-ice clothing.
Alternates:
- Cannot be a Free Agent if the team already has a Free Agent in the line-up.
- The alternate must meet the eligibility requirements of the Member Association they represent.
- An alternate for Team Canada must be a resident of the Member Association they represent. For example, Alberta wins the Brier. Next year as Team Canada, their alternate (their choice) must meet Alberta’s eligibility (unless they are a free agent with no other free agent on the team).
- Teams may play with three (3) players at any time, even with an alternate on the team.
- If a team loses more than two (2) players, they will default until they can field at least three (3) players.
- A team of four (4) players losing a player to catastrophic reasons will be allowed to replace that player with an eligible alternate player at the discretion of Curling Canada. Catastrophic is defined as unable to play for the remainder of the event due to physical injury as determined by a third-party physician.
- Alternate Player Pools in all other Curling Canada events are no longer offered. Exception: the Canadian Mixed.
- Teams will be allowed to bring an eligible alternate player with them at their own team’s expense.
- Teams may play with three (3) players regardless if they have an alternate player or not in the building.
- If a four-person team loses more than two (2) players, they will default until they can field at least three (3) players.
- A four-person team losing a player to catastrophic reasons will be allowed to replace that player with an eligible alternate player. Catastrophic is defined as unable to play for the remainder of the event due to physical injury as determined by a third-party physician.
Purpose
Curling Canada is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and fair competitive environment for all. Accordingly, Curling Canada has developed this Pregnancy, Parenting and Childbirth Leave Residency Eligibility Exemption Protocol (the “Protocol”).
This protocol has been developed in keeping with practices that respect and accommodate pregnancy, parenting, and childbirth responsibilities of our Athletes during the time that surrounds our National Championships, as well as supporting the important residency requirements that are a crucial element of an inter-provincial/territorial National Championship format.
These protocols are mandatory for all Athletes and Teams involved in participating in Curling Canada’s National Championships.
Scope
All Curling Canada Athletes and teams competing in the Men’s and Women’s National Championships, including the provincial/territorial playdown process leading up to these national championships, are required to follow the residency eligibility rules as established by Curling Canada and its Member Associations, unless a request is approved according to the terms of this Protocol.
Documentation
Athlete Requirements
A pregnant Athlete is entitled to a leave of absence from their Team upon:
- giving Curling Canada notice in writing of the date that they will begin the leave and the date when they expect to return to competition (a “Request”), and
- providing to Curling Canada, when Curling Canada requests, a certificate of a legally qualified medical practitioner stating that the Athlete is pregnant and specifying the expected date of delivery and/or is immediately post-partum.
- These rules will also apply for an adoptive process that takes place during the time of the national championships.
Only teams that have qualified for a national championship after earning qualification either through pre-qualification or winning a Provincial or Territorial Championship may be considered for an exemption to the residency eligibility rules based on the pregnancy, parenting, or childbirth needs of an Athlete. This limited residency exemption consideration outlined below only pertains to the Men’s and Women’s National Championships (Brier and Tournament of Hearts).
Curling Canada will comply with all requirements under applicable privacy legislation to ensure that personal information of the Athlete is maintained in a secure and appropriate manner.
By submitting a Request, an Athlete consents to their Request and supporting documentation being reviewed by Curling Canada.
Accommodation
Team Requirements When an Athlete submits a Request to Curling Canada and if their Request is granted, their Team must then submit an application to replace the Athlete.
Teams are responsible to uphold residency requirements for their substitute Athlete.
If reasonable efforts to secure a substitute Athlete who meets the requirements of the residency eligibility rules are ultimately unsuccessful, a Team may seek to have a substitute Athlete who does not meet these requirements added to their Team for the Championship if the Request is approved.
Procedure
Residency exemption requests must be submitting in writing to Curling Canada’s CEO.
The CEO or their designate will confirm receipt of the Request. An original copy of the Request will be securely stored.
Once the Request is reviewed and approved by the CEO or their designate, the Team must submit their application.
The CEO or their designate will consult with a committee of subject-matter experts, as deemed necessary, to determine whether the application will be granted. If additional information is required from the Team, the CEO or their designate will follow up.
This process is collaborative and a shared responsibility. The Team must co-operatively engage in the process by sharing information, including answering reasonable questions or providing information about efforts to locate a Substitute Athlete to join their Team who meets the requirements of the residency eligibility rules, and considering potential solutions.
The CEO or their designate may grant or refuse the application.
The decision of CEO or their designate is final, subject to any right of appeal, as set out in Curling Canada’s policies.
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