The specific needs of the referee program are based primarily on the stream of hockey in which the official is participating. The ODHA/ODMHA categorizes hockey in several basic streams:

The ODHA Officiating Program is responsible for the following streams:

• Junior A,B,C
• Senior
• CIS (University)
• Interbranch tournaments and assignments
• Additionally, officials in the ODHA Officiating Program are responsible for planning, directing and implementing the certification clinics, referee school, supervision program, and mentorship program at the ODMHA level, under the auspicies of Hockey Canada and the ODHA/ODMHA.

The ODMHA Officiating Program is responsible for the following streams:

• Competitive Minor hockey (AA,A,B)
• House League (Recreational) hockey
• Initiation (where applicable)
• Additionally, some officials in the ODMHA Officiating Program participate in planning, directing and implementing the supervision program, and mentorship program at the house league level, under the auspicies of Hockey Canada and the ODHA/ODMHA.

The ODMHA is comprised of 13 geographical districts, each represented by a district chair. Collectively, the chairs form the ODMHA Minor Council which administers the competitive, house league and initiation streams. Each district (or district chair) appoints a Referee-In-Chief to administer the officiating program in that area. Some districts are also divided into many local associations, each having its own RIC.

The ODMHA Minor Council appoints a minor hockey Referee-in-Chief to act as a coordinate the district and association RIC’s, and to act as a liason between the Council, leagues, the ODHA, Hockey Canada, and the district RIC’s.