Canadian figure skaters support Skate Canada’s Alberta ban, hope for future return

Ice dance pair Lily Hensen and Nathan Lickers, of Ontario, performs during the closing gala at the Canadian figure skating championships in Calgary, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

GATINEAU — Canadian figure skaters supported the national governing body’s decision to ice events in Alberta, while holding out hope that major competitions could one day return to the province.

The national sport governing body announced last month it will no longer host international and national events in Alberta because of the provincial Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, a law that bars transgender Albertans aged 12 and older from competing in female-only sports.

Calgary-born ice dancer Paul Ayer, who now trains out of Terrebonne, Que., said he stands with Skate Canada and is focusing on his programs with partner Alicia Fabbri at this weekend’s Canadian figure skating championships.

“We’re Skate Canada athletes, so we stand with Skate Canada with what they decide,” said Ayer.

The 27-year-old acknowledged that competing at the 2024 nationals in his hometown was one of the “highlights of my career,” and he feels confident other Alberta skaters will eventually get the same opportunity.

“Not only home city, but my home rink, and my high school was there,” he said. “That was one of the most special moments of my life, and I’m really grateful to have had that opportunity.

“I have no doubt that in the future (competitions) will come back there regardless of what happens with decisions and things that are above my pay grade.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the decision “disgraceful” and demanded an apology and a reversal. She accused Skate Canada of refusing to hold events in Alberta “because we choose to protect women and girls in sport.”

No upcoming national or international events were scheduled in Alberta. The announcement came just weeks after Calgary hosted the 2025-26 Skate Canada Challenge in November.

“It was so fun to get to skate there at Challenge last month,” said Kaiya Ruiter, a Calgary skater who won the women’s singles national title on home ice two years ago. “Honestly, I hope it comes to a point where we’ll get to skate there again, and they have great hosting venues and great people, so I’m sure in the future things will get worked out.”

Skate Canada said it can’t hold events in Alberta and maintain its standards for safe and inclusive sport.

Decorated ice dancer Piper Gilles, a two-time world silver medallist with partner Paul Poirier, declined to comment on the decision but said “we just want everybody to feel like they belong somewhere.”

The organization’s transgender inclusion policy states it’s “fully committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all, regardless of any actual or perceived differences based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, language, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or disability.”

Other national sports organizations, including Hockey Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Boxing Canada and Table Tennis Canada, said last month that none of their events in Alberta have been cancelled despite the law.

Wrestling Canada Lutte, the body for Olympic-style wrestling, said it was still determining if it would change its event hosting policies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press