Weekly Division Update: December 4 – 10

3^rd Party General Liability Insurance Coverage for Virtual Events

Due to the pandemic, many clubs are replacing in-person competitions with virtual events. When considering hosting virtual events, clubs and organizers must follow these safety considerations:
1. Courses/trails must be recognized and approved trails that are open when used

2. Courses/trails are expected to have the normal safety and monitoring protocols expected in an in-person competition, such as inspection and track setting

3. Organizers should consider a check in and check out system

4. For more remote trail systems, the ‘buddy’ system should be encouraged

Clubs and organizers have duty of care over virtual events, just as they would in an in-person event.
Division can review virtual events proposals and ask the national office and the insurer for help when necessary.

Race License Calculation Periods

A reminder that, due to the pandemic, the FIS point and CPL calculation periods are extended back to May 13, 2019 for active license holders only. To keep your points from last season until the end of the current season, and to be included in points lists, you must have an active race license. Renew your race licenses here: https://nordiqcanada.ca/races/racing-license/.

If you already purchased your FIS race license and don’t need it because all 2020-2021 winter FIS races in Canada were cancelled, you may request a refund by emailing . Refund requests will only be accepted before December 18. Caution: There may be other reasons you need an active FIS license in 2020-2021, such as trip or team selection or summer rollerski competitions. Do not cancel your FIS license unless you are absolutely sure you will not need it. Nordiq Canada race licenses will not be refunded. Instead, race license revenue will be reinvested in programming to replace national racing, and we will continue to generate Canada Points lists given some provinces and territories are still hosting events.

Safety in Sport and Gender Equity Strategy Update

As you know, Nordiq Canada is creating a strategy to improve safety and gender equity. The strategy will be implemented at all levels – clubs, Divisions and National Office.

This fall 30 people representing the Nordiq Canada community met to review information collected through surveys of athletes, coaches, officials and organizations; discuss our vision for the future; identify best practices; and find consensus on reasonable and realistic approaches to SafeSport and Gender Equity.

These are some of the priorities identified at the workshops:

• Policies: Documentation for what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable from coaches and people in power
• Training and Requirements: Athlete-coach training on empowerment, autonomy, healthy relationships
• Engagement and Communication: Normalizing the conversation: creating a shared narrative over time
• Enhanced Resources: Educational toolkits

In January, our working group will finalize the strategy that emerged from the workshops, and plan implementation.

Club Fundraiser Launching This Winter

Nordiq Canada is planning our second annual club fundraiser. Last year the “100 Campaign” raised over $220,000 for club projects like trail lighting, grooming equipment, camps and competitions. Watch for your club’s invitation to participate in the new year.

Nordiq Canada – Events Committee, 2020 TD / OC Web Update 

The annual TD/OC Seminar Update will occur Saturday December 19, 2020. Details for login and agenda are available on the invite document linked here.