Quick Read
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford directed the Education Minister to allow students to watch Team Canada’s Olympic hockey games during school hours.
- The directive was issued on February 18, 2026, ahead of the women’s gold medal game and men’s semifinal at the Milan Cortina Games.
- The women’s team faced the United States for gold, while the men’s team played Finland in their semifinal.
- Premier Ford highlighted the ‘incredible performances’ of both teams and urged all of Canada to cheer them on.
TORONTO (Azat TV) – Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a directive on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, ensuring that students across the province would be able to watch Team Canada’s Olympic hockey games during school hours. The move, announced via social media, was framed as a special ‘assignment’ for students to rally behind the men’s and women’s teams as they competed for gold at the Milan Cortina Games.
The Premier’s instructions to Education Minister Stephen Lecce came ahead of two critical matchups: the women’s gold medal game against rival United States on Thursday, February 19, at 1:10 p.m. ET, and the men’s semifinal showdown against Finland on Friday, February 20, at 10:40 a.m. ET. Ford emphasized that after the ‘incredible’ performances by both teams, all of Canada was united in cheering them on.
Premier Ford’s Directive on Olympic Hockey Viewing
Premier Ford’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) underscored his commitment to fostering national spirit and allowing students to partake in a significant cultural moment. He stated, “To help everyone get in the spirit of the games, I’ve directed the Minister of Education to make sure all Ontario students are able to watch the remaining Team Canada hockey games that take place during school hours, starting with tomorrow’s game.” This directive effectively made Olympic hockey a temporary, mandatory subject in Ontario classrooms, highlighting the unique intersection of sport, national pride, and public education.
The decision was met with enthusiasm by many, providing a rare opportunity for students to witness high-stakes international competition live. It also implicitly acknowledged the role of major sporting events in shaping collective identity and offering valuable real-world lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and national representation.
Team Canada’s Road to Milan Cortina Gold
Team Canada’s journey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games had captivated the nation. The women’s team secured their spot in the gold medal match following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Switzerland on Day 10 of the Olympics. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, a veteran leader, notably scored the first goal in that match after recovering from a knee injury sustained earlier in the tournament against Czechia, showcasing her resilience and pivotal role.
Meanwhile, the men’s team had also faced formidable challenges, including a scare from Czechia’s team that resulted in an injury to captain Sidney Crosby. Despite not finishing that particular game, Crosby remained a supportive presence, addressing his teammates from the locker room during the second intermission, a testament to his leadership. Their advancement to the semifinals against Finland set the stage for another intense battle for a medal opportunity.
Impact on Ontario Schools and Student Engagement
The Premier’s directive bypassed traditional curriculum structures, granting schools the flexibility to adjust schedules to accommodate the live broadcasts. This move was intended to ensure that no student would miss out on the chance to witness these significant national sporting events. While the specific logistical implementation was left to individual school boards and educators, the overarching message was clear: national pride in hockey was to take precedence for these key hours.
This initiative built on a long-standing Canadian tradition of rallying around its hockey teams during international competitions, particularly the Olympics. By making it an official part of the school day, Premier Ford aimed to instill a sense of shared experience and national unity among the younger generation, connecting them directly to the excitement and drama of elite-level sport. It was not immediately clear if there would be any formal educational follow-up or ‘test’ related to this unique viewing opportunity, as one local news outlet humorously noted.
Premier Doug Ford’s decision to integrate Olympic hockey viewing into the school day underscores a broader understanding of how national sporting events can serve as powerful tools for civic engagement and identity-building, temporarily reshaping educational priorities to foster collective pride and shared experience among students.