The 2021 Skate Canada Challenge and the 2021 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships have been pushed back, with the former now set to be held online.

"The global pandemic has put forth challenges for us all, and our priority is to support the development and goals of our skaters in a safe manner," said Debra Armstrong, chief executive of Skate Canada.

"We have altered the format of the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge which will now take place virtually.

"We are also moving the dates of both 2021 Skate Canada Challenge and the 2021 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships back to allow more time for skaters to prepare."

The Skate Canada Challenge competition is scheduled to be held from January 11 to 17 2021 and will allow Canadian skaters to participate from their home regions, with live officiating providing each an with an opportunity to qualify for the National Skating Championships.

The date for submitting video submissions for the junior and senior disciplines will be announced shortly.

The 2021 National Skating Championships are still scheduled to be held in Vancouver at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and is set to take place from February 8 to 14.

There has also been a reduction in the number of competitors to accommodate safety protocols.

Only junior and senior categories will compete and each discipline will have two flights of skaters.

Skate Canada has recently faced difficulties due to the pandemic, having been forced to cancel the Skate Canada International, part of the lucrative International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit.