The Shift Forward
Effective April 1, 2026, Hockey Canada will introduce The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture, a national education and training initiative designed to support all participants and promote positive, respectful behaviour, within the game.
The Shift Forward is replacing the Respect in Sport (RIS) program. This is NOT in addition to the RIS program.
For the 2026-27 season, this program will apply to all NEW Coaches, Rostered Team Officials, Volunteers, and Parents/Guardians.
As part of a multi-year phase in process, existing education that was completed by participants under previous platforms such as Respect in Sport (RIS), will continue to be recognized through the conclusion of the 2027-28 season.
Please note, once The Shift Forward program launches, access to previous education programs will no longer be available to new or existing registrations.
Their 24/7 help desk number is: 1-866-945-9906
The Shift Forward Program – Parent/Guardian
The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture program is a mandatory requirement for one parent of each child registered in minor hockey within Canada. The program is an online session that takes a little over an hour to complete and addresses topics such as being a good sport parent, interacting with coaches, officials, and other parents, and concussion awareness.
The Shift Forward Program – For Team Officials and On-Ice Officials
The Shift Forward is an enhanced education program developed through an extensive consultation process with stakeholders across Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. This process included a comprehensive national Training Needs Analysis, which identified key opportunities to improve how education and training are delivered across the game.
This specific course is for Team Officials (coach/bench staff) as well as On-Ice Officials
The program is designed to:
- Deliver age-appropriate and modernized learning experiences
- Provide engaging and role-specific content for participants
- Support progressive learning pathways throughout a participant’s hockey journey
- Promote positive culture change, with a focus on addressing and reducing unhealthy behaviours on and off the ice