Sports officials and referees
Occupation · NOC 2021 53202 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 53202
- TEER
- 3
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 2
- Median wage, Canada
- C$19.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 12
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About this occupation
Sports officials and referees observe and enforce rules and regulations governing sporting events, athletic games and sports competitions. They are employed by national, provincial and local sporting commissions, organizations and leagues.
Example job titles
- athletics judge
- clerk of the course - racetrack
- figure skating judge
- goal judge
- harness racing starter
- racetrack timer
- referee
- sports linesman/woman
- sports official
- umpire
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Officiate at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed
- Record lapsed time and keep scores during events or competitions
- Judge the performance of competitors, award points, impose penalties for infractions and determine results
- Compile scores and other athletic records
- Establish and maintain rapport with coaches, players and organizing committees
- Verify credentials of athletes or animals engaged in sports or related special events, and respond to written protests.
Employment requirements
- Sports officials require certification by and registration with a sport governing body or commission.
- Sports referees require completion of an officiating program offered by a sport governing body.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
- La Maison Simons1
- Big White Ski Resort Ltd1
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 60 |
| 2025 | 0 | 85 |
| 2024 | 0 | 80 |
| 2023 | 0 | 70 |
| 2022 | 0 | 100 |
| 2021 | 0 | 95 |
| 2020 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 0 | 110 |
| 2018 | 0 | 130 |
| 2017 | 0 | 135 |
| 2016 | 0 | 155 |
| 2015 | 0 | 150 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 150 |
| 2016 | 155 |
| 2017 | 135 |
| 2018 | 130 |
| 2019 | 110 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 95 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 70 |
| 2024 | 80 |
| 2025 | 85 |
| 2026 | 60 |
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$15.00 | C$19.00 | C$30.00 |
| Alberta | C$15.00 | C$24.01 | C$50.94 |
| British Columbia | C$17.85 | C$26.71 | C$46.17 |
| Manitoba | C$16.00 | C$22.50 | C$27.00 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$18.00 | C$30.00 |
| Quebec | C$16.10 | C$20.00 | C$65.93 |
| Saskatchewan | C$15.35 | C$20.00 | C$25.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 12
- Vacancies advertised
- 15
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$31.64
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more