Time Standards - Qualifying Times for Canadian Swimming

Qualifying times for every level of Canadian swimming. Find the official standards you need to hit for provincial championships, national meets, university competition, and international selection.

What Are Time Standards?

Time standards are benchmark times published by swimming organizations. When a swimmer achieves (swims faster than) a standard at a sanctioned meet, they qualify for a specific competition level. Unlike USA Swimming which uses a unified AAA/AA/A/B motivational time system, Canada does not have a single national classification. Each organization defines its own standard names and levels.

National Standards

Swimming Canada 2026-2028 Standards: Senior (LCM), Trials/U Sport (SCM), Junior (LCM), Canadian Open (SCM + LCM). On Track Times: Development benchmarks by single age (13-26) showing target times for world-class track. U Sports SCM Qualifying Standards for university national championships.

Provincial Standards

Each province publishes qualifying times for provincial championship meets: Swim Ontario (OSC and OAG levels), Swim BC, Swim Alberta, FNQ (Quebec), Swim Saskatchewan, Swim Manitoba, Swim Nova Scotia, Swim New Brunswick, and others. Standards are organized by age group, gender, and course type (LCM and SCM).

University Conference Standards

Each U Sports conference publishes qualifying times for their championship meet, all in short course metres (SCM): OUA (Ontario University Athletics), Canada West (BC, AB, SK, MB), AUS (Atlantic University Sport), RSEQ (Quebec).

International Standards

World Aquatics publishes Olympic Qualifying Times (OQT "A" standard for automatic qualification, "B" for universality) and World Championships qualifying standards ("A" cut for automatic entry, "B" cut subject to federation quota).

How Standards Work

Does Canada use the AAA/AA/A/B system?

No. The AAA/AA/A/B motivational time system is used by USA Swimming, not Swimming Canada. In Canada, each organization defines its own standard names and levels.

What is the difference between LCM and SCM standards?

LCM (Long Course Metres) standards are for 50-metre pools, used in summer season and at the Olympics. SCM (Short Course Metres) standards are for 25-metre pools, used in winter season and for university swimming.

Where do I achieve a qualifying time?

Times must be achieved at officially sanctioned meets approved by Swimming Canada or a provincial swimming association.