To qualify for the 2011 / 2012 Talent Squad the following criteria must be met:
- Skaters who are selected as members of the 2011 Canadian Junior World Championships Team, who are not already selected to the National or National Development Teams
- Skaters who represented Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2010 who were not already selected to the National or National Development Teams not including alternates; and, Additional skaters who may be selected at the absolute discretion the High Performance Committee
Athletes nominated to Talent Squad receive a "Talent Squad Card" which entitles them to $900 per month for six months in financial assistance from Canadian Heritage via Sport Canada.
Each year a skater spends on the Talent Squad team they receive one free year of post-secondary education at an approved Canadian institution.