Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal has approved a hearing for five women who allege that Cycling Canada’s decision not to include a women’s track pursuit team in the world championships was discriminatory. Cycling Canada revealed its 10-member team for the championships in Shanghai, with a men’s pursuit team but no women’s team. The five women – Fiona Majendie, Skyler Goudswaard, Jenna Nestman, Lily Plante, and Justine Thomas – escalated their appeal to the Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal after being rejected by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada on August 18.
Although their request for an interim order to compel Cycling Canada to enter a women’s team by the September 21 deadline was denied due to time constraints, the Tribunal has scheduled a three-day hearing in December to consider oral arguments from the women and Cycling Canada. Mediation attempts between the parties were unsuccessful following the Tribunal’s directive. Cycling Canada defended its position against allegations of sexual discrimination, arguing that the complaint should be dismissed as the SDRCC had already addressed the matter.
Emir Crowne, representing the athletes, praised the Tribunal for maintaining progress and stated that the case was set for a December hearing despite Cycling Canada’s efforts to separate the issues. Cycling Canada clarified that while the women’s team pursuit program was not terminated, it transitioned to a development model. The decision to field only a men’s pursuit team in the championships was based on performance analysis and budget constraints, aiming for Olympic qualification in 2028 if sufficient talent and competitiveness are demonstrated.
The Canadian government’s additional funding for Cycling Canada, announced by Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, further supports the sport’s development. Notably, women’s track cycling team pursuit has been a successful event for Canada historically, with achievements including Olympic medals.
The upcoming world championships in China will feature athletes like Kelsey Mitchell and Laurianne Genest from Canada, with high expectations for the Canadian team’s performance. Franck Durivaux, the national team coach, emphasized the significance of the event as a stepping stone towards the 2028 Olympics. The Canadian roster comprises a mix of sprinters and endurance athletes, with a focus on both short and long-distance events.
