What is the CFF?
The Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF) is the national federation for fencing in Canada. Its history page describes it in these words: “The CFF is a non-profit, amateur sports association and is the national governing body of fencing.”[4] The same page gives its mandate: “Its mandate is to establish, develop and support fencing in Canada and to represent Canada on the international scene.”[4] The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime lists it as the “Canadian Fencing Federation”, Canada’s member in the Pan American confederation.[1]
What does the CFF govern or do?
Under the mandate it states, the federation develops the sport in Canada and represents the country internationally.[4] Its site publishes a competition calendar and domestic results, and links to a section headed “FIE and EFC Licences”.[3] It lists the national championship events of the season on its site, and its history page states that it “includes ten provincial fencing associations”.[3][4]
When was the CFF founded and where is it based?
The federation’s history page states: “It was not until the announcement of the 1976 Olympics and incorporation of the Canadian Fencing Federation in 1971, that the Federal Government provided financial assistance”, for athletes preparing for the Montréal Games.[4] The page traces organised fencing in the country further back: “Canadian fencing dates back to 1816 when Maitre Girard opened the first fencing school in Montréal.”[4]
The FIE lists the federation’s address as “K0H 2Y0, Wolfe Island, ON”, with Yann Bernard as president,[1] and the federation’s own site gives its location as Wolfe Island, Ontario.[3]
How is the CFF recognised?
International federation. On its page for the Pan American Fencing Confederation, the FIE lists the “Canadian Fencing Federation” as the member federation for Canada, naming Yann Bernard as president.[1] The FIE describes its structure as “five continental confederations and their 156 national member federations”, and states that “The National Federations are the governing bodies for their fencing respective countries.”[2] Its About page refers to “156 affiliated Member Federations”.[5]
Continental body. The FIE places the federation among the members of the Pan American Fencing Confederation.[1]
What does the CFF organise?
The federation’s site lists two national events for the 2026–27 season. The “2026-2027 CANADA CUP #3 / CADET & JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS + YOUTH & VETERAN EVENTS” is scheduled for 12–14 February 2027 in Ottawa, with the Ontario Fencing Association named as a partner, and the “2027 May Nationals - Calgary, AB” for 21–24 May 2027 at Tsuut’ina Nation, Alberta.[3] The history page records that “The first Canadian Championships were held in 1902.”[4]
Who are its members?
The federation describes its membership in its history page: “It includes ten provincial fencing associations, which in turn represent eighty local clubs from coast to coast.”[4] Its home page carries a section headed “Provincial Associations” displaying the associations’ logos; the Ontario Fencing Association is named as a partner of the February 2027 Canada Cup.[3]
The federation is itself a member body: the FIE lists it among the national federations of the Pan American Fencing Confederation.[1]
References
- FIE — Pan American Fencing Confederation (member federations, with the Canadian Fencing Federation row). Accessed 2026-10-10.
- FIE — Confederations and national federations. Accessed 2026-10-10.
- Canadian Fencing Federation — home page (location, events, provincial associations). Accessed 2026-10-10.
- Canadian Fencing Federation — History. Accessed 2026-10-10.
- FIE — About. Accessed 2026-10-10.