NEWS: Canada's McGill University & Simon Fraser University Face Cuts to Track & Field Programs

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Written by Aimee Mackenzie, edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin

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On November 20th, McGill University, a school located in Quebec, Canada, announced a decision to cut 25 sports teams and clubs. Among those cuts were the school's historic 125-year old track and field program. The cuts would become effective at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Six days later, Simon Fraser University, a school located in British Columbia, Canada, announced that it would seek to join the Canadian varsity league, "U Sports" in the spring of 2026. In doing so, they would cut their own outdoor track and field program at the end of 2026-2027.

Simon Fraser's intention to transition away from the NCAA Division Two level would leave the NCAA without a Canadian institution as a member. SFU officials have indicated that they are currently assessing cutting the indoor track and field program.

Both Canadian schools have conducted independent audits. Each of those reports cited financial sustainability as the primary reason for cutting their respective track and field programs. Each affected team has expressed concerns about the long-term ripple effects this would have on provincial, national and international development pathways for Canadian track and field athletes.

McGill University

McGill University's decision to cut their track and field programs has seen nationwide vocal opposition from coaches, athletes, alum, Athletics Canada, as well as multiple Canadian Olympians including Andre De Grasse, Bruny Surin, Glenroy Gilbert, Mariam Abdul-Rashid, Briana Scott and Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.

Will Sanders, a sprinter and relay athlete from the team, spoke on behalf of the program to Canadian Running Magazine...

“The coaches are devastated…They weren’t consulted at all-there was no indication this was going to happen…Personally, I came to McGill because I was promised an institution that offered athletic and academic excellence.”

Athletes have been told that they are not permitted to create a club track team using the McGill Athletics name. This university is home to the legendary Tomlinson Fieldhouse, which is one of only three banked indoor tracks in the country of Canada.

Athletics Canada released a statement on the decision on their Instagram, citing athlete development and facility access concerns...

“Athletics Canada is extremely disappointed and dismayed by the decision of McGill University to cut its track and field program in 2026. The impact is beyond one university program. It affects all Canadian track and field, athlete development, and access to top-level competition and training facilities in Québec, and across the country. With one of only three indoor banked tracks in Canada, this decision takes away opportunities from athletes all over the country.”

Athletics Canada has urged a re-evaluation of the university’s decision, and offered to partner with them and Athlétisme Québec to work towards any solutions to reinstate the track and field program.

Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University’s shift to U Sports concludes a 14-year relationship with the the NCAA as a member institution. Reports have stated that SFU student-athletes were consulted about the university’s decision to leave the NCAA in favor of U Sports, a conversation that was met with majority pushback.

Brit Townsend, the Red Leaves' head coach of track and field, stated the following...

“We have to accept our position in U Sports and be the best we can…We have always prided ourselves on high performance. We have to create an environment where people can excel and be offered the highest level of opportunity – I know we can do that, because we’ve been doing it for years.”

After almost 30 years at SFU, Coach Townsend has elevated the program, developing numerous Olympians and national representatives including Marie-Éloïse LeClair, Lindsey Butterworth and Natasha Wodak.

Coach Brit Townsend was only informed two days before the public announcement that her indoor track and field program was at risk. Townsend expressed her shock of the announcement in an interview with Canadian Running Magazine stating, "That was never on the table."

The university executive team’s reasoning behind considering cutting the indoor program is based on the lack of an indoor track for training. Many supporters of SFU were confused by this reasoning, as SFU athletes can train outside the majority of the year in Vancouver due to the often mild weather.

Townsend has already formed a plan to save the university's indoor track and field program. Her proposed model for SFU's indoor track and field program, which Athletics Canada is anticipated to support, will be presented to the university’s athletic director and leadership team.