What is the Rule of Two, and what counts as trained and screened?

Hockey Canada's Code of Conduct Policy sets out the Rule of Two for anyone dealing with minor athletes:

• All interactions with a minor athlete must be open, observable and interruptible by another screened adult. An adult in a position of authority should not be alone with a minor athlete.
• Two trained and screened adults must be present for games, practices, meetings and other program activities involving a minor athlete. This includes being in the dressing room, or immediately outside it with the door propped open to monitor the environment.

Trained and screened: Hockey Canada's Dressing Room Policy FAQ (an earlier document than the 2026 Code) uses the Coaching Association of Canada definition: people who have completed ethics education (Respect in Sport or CAC Safe Sport Training) and passed a thorough background check, which can include interviews, criminal record checks and reference checks.

Training: the same FAQ says the Coaching Association of Canada has a free bilingual e-learning module on the Rule of Two, about 15 to 20 minutes long, which awards one Professional Development point to coaches.

Sources: Code of Conduct Policy (https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Safety/Safety-Program/Downloads/code-of-conduct-policy-e.pdf) and Dressing Room Policy FAQ (https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Safety/Downloads/dressing-room-policy-faq-e.pdf).