Ontario Premier Doug Ford says students in his province will be able to watch the remaining Team Canada Olympic hockey games that take place during school hours.
Ford made the announcement on social media, saying students would be able to start watching the games during school hours on Feb. 19, when the gold medal women’s hockey game of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina between Canada and the United States is set to take place.
“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,” Ford said in a Feb. 18 post on X.
“Let’s all come together to cheer on Team Canada as they bring home Olympic gold!”
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra confirmed that he is directing all school boards to let students watch Canada’s women’s and men’s Olympic hockey games during school hours.
“Big games like these aren’t just about the outcome, they’re a chance to rally together and cheer on some of Canada’s best,” Calandra said in a Feb. 18 post on X. “So let’s enjoy the game and all cheer Canada on together.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney will also be watching the women’s gold medal game while he is in Burnaby, B.C., on Feb. 19, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The game is set to begin at 1:10 p.m. EST.
Canada’s women’s hockey team won four consecutive gold medals in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014, before winning a gold medal again in the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was the last time Canada played a gold medal game against the United States.
Winning the final game on Feb. 19 against the United States would earn Team Canada its sixth gold medal in women’s hockey. It will be the 12th time Canada will face the United States in women’s hockey, with Canada leading with a 7-4 advantage over its rival.
Canada has won all its women’s hockey games this Winter Olympics, except for one preliminary game against the United States on Feb. 10, when Canada lost 5-0. Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s hockey team remains undefeated this year, and has only let in one goal so far.
Ontario school students will also get to watch Team Canada’s men’s hockey semifinal game against Finland on Feb. 20, which is scheduled to begin at 10:40 a.m. EST.
Canada’s men’s team is undefeated so far this year, while Finland lost one preliminary game against Slovakia. Canada’s men’s team has scored 24 goals this year, while Finland has scored 19. Finland last won the gold medal in men’s hockey in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
If Canada wins the gold medal, it will be Canada’s 10th gold medal in men’s hockey, after winning in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1952, 2002, 2010, and 2014.
The United States will also face Slovakia in a semifinal game on Feb. 20. The men’s U.S. team won all three of its games so far this year, while Slovakia has won two and lost one.
The winners of the two semifinal games will face off in the gold medal game on Feb. 22, while the two teams that lose the semifinal games will play for bronze on Feb. 21.Canada has won 14 medals so far at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, including four gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.
