December 2, 2007 (Calgary, AB) – The 2007 CCA AGM concluded today with the President’s Report, elections, and announcement that next year’s AGM will be held in Quebec City to coincide with the city’s 400th anniversary. CCA President, Pierre Blanchard, chaired the meeting and began with his report.

President’s Report
Blanchard began his report stating that the association needs to continue to take a lead role in addressing Drug Free Sport as an important mandate. The Geneviève Jeanson Affair created even stronger needs for education, prevention, more testing and more follow up, and the association is eager to work with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and Sport Canada. The CCA sponsors are supportive and reassured but work is still needed in this important area.

Blanchard recognized it’s been a tough year for the CCA but stressed that while the challenges continue there are many positives. The Provincial Sport Organizations and territories are showing greater collaboration and trust and the momentum is in the right direction between all players – “the trust is back” noted Blanchard.

Canada’s presence internationally is important and needs to continue to develop – currently FQSC director general Louis Barbeau is also the president of the UCI Paracycling Committee and former CCA President Brian Jolly sits on the UCI MTB Commission. BC’s Wayne Pomario and Quebec’s Josee Bedard also represent Canada on UCI Commissaire committees.

US officials recently came to Ottawa for talks to improve Canada-USA relations and create more co-operation for a stronger voice with COPACI (Confederacion Panamericana de Ciclismo or Pan American Cycling Confederation), the Spanish organization that represents the continent at the UCI level.

Blanchard recognized the positive relations with the CCA sponsors who have demonstrated valued and long support with Louis Garneau Sports on board for 25 years, Tim Hortons at 12 years and H&R Block for 2 years.

Budgets have been a big challenge as the CCA has suffered a deficit in 2007 but is on track with 07/08 targets as the CCA attempts to ensure no athlete programs are affected while reducing administrative costs. The CCA has seen a 50% reduction in human resources and as a result has not been able to maintain all functions.

On a positive note the Hamilton 2003 Foundation with surplus dollars has been contributing directly to athletes and development. And while the 2007 BMX Worlds has suffered from financial difficulties, on the sporting side the event was well received by the UCI. Canadian-based international events are beneficial for all stakeholders and the announcement of the MTB Worlds in Canada in 2010 is more good news for cycling.

The LTAD (Long Term Athlete Development Model) is also making progress with educating coaches and working with the provinces towards an integrated model. More positive news is that the Athlete Council is being re-vitalized by veteran national team rider Sue Palmer-Komar.

The review by Own the Podium, which contributes funds to summer and winter high performance programs, will soon be released, and the report will play an important role in determining CCA decisions in this area going forward.

Overall Blanchard was optimistic about the future of cycling and the sport at large. “”I’m an optimist but a realist,” said Blanchard. “We have challenges to meet but we have a good team, the provinces overall are in much better shape, and together we’re ready to bring about positive results.”

Finance Report
The 2007 deficit was mainly the result of a shortfall in projected revenues and as a result only confirmed revenues will be utilized for future planning. The total 2007 deficit of $135,346, resulting in an accumulated loss of $1,258, forced many reductions primarily in staffing and administration. In addition markdowns in inventory and depreciation adjustments contributed to the deficit. Some issues with potential liabilities remain such as human rights legal matters, the 2007 BMX Worlds bankruptcy, and ongoing legal actions such as a claim by the Hamilton 2003 Road Worlds organizers for unpaid expenses, but no details could be released.

Sport Canada
Corey Beard from Sport Canada noted the CCA’s staff reductions to bring budgets in line and recognized CEO Lorraine Lafreniere’s collaborative efforts and strong relations with the larger sport community as an asset. He also recognized the FQSC’s efforts as a good start to address doping problems in the sport and that funding is available for doping initiatives. Cycling is also a top player as far as bringing international events to Canada such as the 2007 BMX Worlds and the MTB Worlds 2010 which he said “speaks well for cycling”.

Other Business
Chris Colbeck, president of the National Downhill Cycling Foundation of Canada (NDCFC), made a proposal to the CCA during the weekend to work together in 2008 and beyond. According to Colbeck he has the athletes, program and funding proposals ready to go and hopes for support and affiliation with the CCA to facilitate the team’s efforts. “I’ll continue as the team manager and we don’t expect any funding support from the CCA, just affiliation to assist with our efforts and programs going forward. We hope that something beneficial for everyone is possible,” said Colbeck.

2007 CCA Elections

Board of Directors
– Director at Large – 2 years – Aaron Hershoff (re-elected), Chantal Lachance (elected)

Program Committee Chairs
– Chair Officials Committee – 2 years – Wayne Pomario (by acclimation)

High Performance Committee Members
– National Team Program Rep – 2 years – Richard Wooles (elected)
– Disability Program Rep – 2 years – Brian Cowie (by acclimation)

Events Committee Members
– MTB Rep – 2 years – Mathieu Bouchier (by acclimation)
– BMX Rep – 2 years – Adam Muys (by acclimation)

Officials Committee Members
– MTB Rep – 2 years – Jim Bratrud (by acclimation)

The Athlete and Coach Development Committee Members seats and chair were suspended for this year for restructuring.