Jul 05, 2020 | OHF | 1879 views
Impact Ontario's Amendment to the Emergency Order has on Facilities and Municipalities
On June 26, 2020 the Ontario Government issued an amendment to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as it pertains to the operation of indoor sports within the Province. Contrary to the procedures outlined in the previous act, Ontario has removed certain restrictions for Stage 2 indoor sports and recreational fitness activities facilities.
This means that facilities are now given the opportunity to be used by more businesses and organizations to train amateur athletes and run certain non-contact amateur athletic competitions. The responsibility to validate the programming on the ice, that in all cases operates activities in a way that meets public health requirements, has transferred from the OHF to the facilities.
As such, facilities no longer require the OHF Certificate of Validation or Certificate of Insurance from an individual looking to book ice to be compliant with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The facility must validate that the individual meets the standard they have implemented to comply with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
However, a safe return for participants has and will continue to be our focus on returning hockey back into Ontario. For that reason, the OHF will continue to certify individuals through the OHF Hockey Canada Licensed Skill Development Program. Additionally, the OHF will continue to issue its Certificate of Validation and Certificate of Insurance. These documents will allow facilities to easily identify, and be confident, that programs operating at their facilities comply with Hockey Canada’s standards and are backed by the Hockey Canada Insurance Program. Facilities can rest easy knowing that program leaders with the OHF Certificate of Validation have the training to provide a safe return to the game, while complying with the OHF and Hockey Canada safety guidelines.
NOTE: The above reference to non-contact refers to maintaining physical distance of 2M and does not mean hockey competition can occur in the absence of body contact/body checking.