OTTAWA — Decorated ice dancer Paul Poirier is joining Skate Canada’s board of directors, the organization announced Thursday.

Poirier won an Olympic bronze medal with longtime partner Piper Gilles at last February’s Milan Cortina Winter Games.

The 34-year-old from Unionville, Ont., has competed at the senior level for 19 years — including 15 with Gilles — winning five world championship medals and six Canadian titles.

He and Gilles have not officially retired but were not named to Skate Canada’s national team for the upcoming season.

Gilles announced in June that the duo wouldn’t compete in the Grand Prix circuit this season, choosing to “rest and reset.”

Their coach, Carol Lane, said last month that Gilles was joining her coaching team at Ice Dance Elite in Richmond Hill, Ont.

“It’s an honour to take on this new role,” Poirier said in a statement. “I’m excited to bring an athlete’s perspective to the board and see how we can help grow skating even more in Canada.”

According to Skate Canada’s website, the board of directors establishes “overall governance, direction setting, strategic planning and strategic monitoring and evaluation.”

“The board meets throughout the year and takes major policy decisions to the wider membership of the organization through Skate Canada’s Annual General Meeting,” the website adds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2026.