PARENT INFORMATION
ROWAN'S LAW
The Ontario Government has enacted Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, S.O. 2018, c. 1 (“Act”). Ontario Regulation 161/19, the Act requires all sport organizations as defined in the Regulation (“Sports Organization”), which includes the Ontario Hockey Federation (“OHF”), to have a Concussion Code of Conduct. This Concussion Code of Conduct must require participants, as set out in the Act, to review the Ontario Government’s issued Concussion Awareness Resources on an annual basis.
A participant is subject to a Concussion Code of Conduct for each Sports Organization a participant registers with. Applicable age appropriate Concussion Awareness Resources are located at www.ontario.ca/concussions.
The OHF Concussion Code of Conduct and the appropriate Concussion Awareness Resources must be reviewed before you can register/participate in the OHF.
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10 and Under Concussion Awareness Resource
11-14 Concussion Awareness Resource
15 and Over Concussion Awareness Resource
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The Shift Forward was created following extensive consultation with hockey participants across the country. Feedback from Hockey Canada’s national Training Needs Analysis highlighted the need for education that is:
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Age‑appropriate
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Modern and engaging
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Relevant to participants’ roles in hockey
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Designed to support a healthier hockey environment on and off the ice
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To ensure a smooth transition, Hockey Canada will continue to recognize existing certifications—including Respect in Sport—as equivalent during a multi‑year phase‑in period. The Shift Forward will become mandatory for all participants starting in the 2028–29 season.
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