Sherbrooke Continues to Reject LiveBarn Cameras, Deepening Debate on Referee Safety

SHERBROOKE, May 29th, 2026 — Concerns surrounding referee safety and accountability in local hockey arenas are fueling debate in Sherbrooke after the city reaffirmed its refusal to allow LiveBarn streaming cameras in municipal sports facilities.

City officials have cited legal limitations involving municipal subsidy rules and administrative barriers as the primary reasons for blocking the commercial camera platform. Supporters of the technology argue that video systems could help discourage abusive behavior toward referees while also providing evidence for disciplinary reviews and investigations.

Sixteen-year-old minor hockey referee Kalib Bolduc says tensions can escalate quickly during competitive games, especially in higher-caliber divisions where emotions often run high among players, coaches, and parents. Bolduc believes cameras create a stronger sense of accountability because incidents can be reviewed objectively afterward.

Bolduc and his father, Kevin Bolduc, are now urging the city to explore alternative options, including internally operated municipal camera systems rather than private streaming services. They argue that surveillance technology is already widely used in private facilities and could improve both safety and public behavior inside community arenas.

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