As the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's governing body, the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), alongside Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), are the governing bodies for amateur hockey in Ontario and members of Hockey Canada.
The three members have come together to create the Ontario Dressing Room Policy. The Policy comes into effect February 1, 2024.
The Dressing Room Policy is focused on enhancing inclusion and safety for all participants on any team or officiating team across the province. Dressing rooms are designated team spaces for all team participants to use and interact in on a welcoming, equitable, inclusive, and safe basis. In addition, to minimize occurrences of maltreatment, bullying, and harassment in the dressing room these spaces now come with minimum attire and supervision requirements, and a requirement to accommodate individuals if they require additional measures or supports.
Hockey Canada and the three Ontario Members have worked together to draft a new policy that meets both the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal requirements and satisfies the new Hockey Canada Dressing Room Policy. The new Ontario Dressing Room Policy applies to Minor Hockey Associations at both Recreational and Representative programming. Effective February 1, 2024, the hybrid policy is in place and is another step towards creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all players, while enhancing the safety of Minor Hockey participants through proper supervision and minimum clothing expectations.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new Ontario Dressing Room Policy documents provided below: