October 30, 2011 (Winnipeg, MN) – The Canadian Cycling Association’s 2011 AGM wrapped up today in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The association continues to make solid gains while addressing challenges along the way. Here’s a summary report with more details, interviews and photos to follow.

President’s Report
CCA president John Tolkamp spoke about a positive year overall with financial stability along with Canada hosting 20 UCI-level events. From a governance perspective the Board put in place new policies covering Equity & Access, Conflict of Interest, Privacy, Code of Conduct and Official languages. The Policy on Organization Structure was also updated to reflect the current structure of committees and ensure the CCA continues to meet Sports Canada governance requirements.

Challenges ahead include the uncertainty of the 2015 Pan Am Velodrome, developing the CCA’s “Race Clean: Own Your Victory” anti-doping strategy given the recent doping infractions in Quebec, delivering effective sponsorship partners, and realizing the association’s Vision 2020 to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020.

Sport Canada
New Sport Canada rep Francois Allaire commented on the increased funding available for National Sport Organizations (NSO) over the years now at $193 million – the CCA is slated to receive $3,375,010 in 2011/12. In addition a new governance model based on the new Corporation Canada Act will mean a 3-year process of transition to replace letters patent and by-laws with new charter documents, also affecting NSO Categories of Membership and Board Structure.

Finance
Brett Stewart, CCA Director Finance & Administration, commented on the 5-year trend that has seen the CCA regain its financial stability with overall operating budgets increasing from $3.178 million in 2007/08  to just under five million at $4,834,851 in 2010/11. Once again the association ended up in the black with a $45,876 surplus short of the $60,000 estimate. The primary source of revenues are from Sport Canada via the High Performance sector based on strong athlete results somewhat offset by reductions in sponsorship levels of about $200,000 (over the past 4 years).

By-law Amendments
Four bylaw amendments were passed – a Director at Large was added to the Board of Directors (from 5 to 6); term limits were removed to facilitate continued support; an Insurance Committee was added as well as a Finance and Audit Committee; finally in an effort to maintain fair geographic representation on the Board of Directors a maximum of two (2) Directors at Large per province was instituted.

Elections
The following positions were filled at the AGM.

Board of Directors
– Director at Large – Two (2) Positions – Steve Rover, Mike Sarnecki, Peter Lawless – Rover and Sarnecki elected

Program Committees

High Performance Comnmittee
– National Team Program Representative (2 year term – Odd) – Louis Barbeau acclaimed
– Paracycling Representative (2 year term – Odd) – Brian Cowie, Julie Hutsebaut – Hutsebaut elected

Events Commitee
– Mountain Bike Representative (2 year term – Odd) – Simon Theriault acclaimed
– BMX Representative (2 year term – Odd) – no nominations – CCA Board to decide

Officials’ Commitee
– Committee Chair (2 year term – Odd) – Louise Lalonde acclaimed
– Mountain Bike Representative (2 year term – Odd) – Josee Bedard acclaimed

The site of the AGM next year will likely be Toronto or Ottawa, Oct. 26-28, 2012.

Awards
The following Awards were presented at the Annual General Meeting.

Event/Organizer of the Year:
– Road – Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, QC
– Mountain Bike –  Coupe du Monde-Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC
– Track – Championnat Canadien – Bromont, QC-
– BMX – Championnat Canadiens BMX, Québec
– Paracycling-  Coupe du Monde – Baie Comeau, QC
– Cyclocross – Canadian Championships, Toronto, ON

National Commissaire of the Year –   TBD

Inter-National Commissaire of the Year –  TBD

Torchy Peden Award –    TBD

Russ Copeland Award – Lauren Rosser
While Lauren was not able to repeat her Downhill world champion performance in 2011 she did manage to finish 3rd  at this year’s Downhill mountain bike worlds in Champery Switzerland on a very demanding course proving that she technically solid and can produce consistent performances.

President’s Trophy –  Catherine Pendrel
Catherine Pendrel was able to show increased performance consistency with top place finishes in the 2011 World Cup season ranking her 2nd overall in World Cup and capping off the XCO season with a World Championship title in Champéry SUI.

Builder of the Year –  TBD

Service Pins
– 5 years – Brian Cowie – BC
– 15 years – Eric Van den Eynde – QC

Special Athlete Presentations:

In recognition of 2011 medal performances at World Cup and World Championships

– UCI Track World Championship Gold Medallist / World Cup Champion – Omnium – Tara Whitten (AB)
– UCI Track World Cup Champion  – Omnium – Zach Bell (YK)
– UCI Para Road World Championships Gold  Time Trial / Contre Le Montre – Robbie Weldon/Lynne Bessette – Tandem B&Vi
– Para Road World Championships – 1St Road Race & Time Trial – T1 Shelley Gauthier (ON)
– Para Road World Championships – 1St Road Race & Time Trial – T2 Marie-Eve Croteau (QC)
– Para Road World Championships – 2Nd Road Race & Time Trial – H2 Karen March (BC)
– UCI Para-Cycling Road Championship: C4 Road Race Silver Medal / Time Trials Bronze – Marie Claude Molnar (QC)
– UCI Para-Cycling Men’S Road Championships: Men’S H3 Mark Ledo (ON) Bronze Medal
– UCI Xc World Champion 2011    Catherine Pendrel (BC)
– Lauren Rosser (BC) – Bronze Medal   Junior Women’S Downhill
– Claire Buchar (BC) – Bronze Medal – Women’S Elite World Championship Downhill

Board Recognition
– Aaron Hershoff – 2005 to 2011 – Board Member at Large