Governance
The COC is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to transforming Canada through the power of sport. Its mission is to lead the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team’s (“COT”) podium success and to advance the Olympic Values in Canada. More information about the COC’s governance structure can be found on this page and in it’s By-Laws and Articles of Continuance.
The COC is governed by a large group of individuals gathered from all areas of the nation and united by a common interest in sport and the Olympic Movement. These individuals form the COC Session.
Session
The COC Session is composed of representatives from each National Sport Organization governing a sport on the official programs of the Olympic or Pan American Games; the IOC Members in Canada; the elected members of the Athletes’ Commission; a representative of the Canadian Coaching Association of Canada; a representative from the Canadian Olympic Foundation; the International Federation Presidents resident in Canada; twelve Directors-at-large; COC Board Members; two representatives from the OLY Canada Commission. At present, the Session comprises 97 voting members. It meets once annually. The Session provides overall direction to the Board of Directors. Its primary areas of responsibilities are establishing the COC’s vision, mission, values and direction, monitoring the progress of the COC toward its stated goals, and setting the overall policy and strategic objectives of the COC. Within these areas of responsibilities, the Session approves the Strategic and Financial Plan for each quadrennium, receives the COC financial statements and the Auditors’ report, annually appoints the COC’s auditors and, when required to do so, votes for Board member candidates and selects Bid Cities to go forward on behalf of the COC.
COC Membership
Members at each level of governance obtain their positions through one of three channels. They are designated, elected or are ex officio members. Elected members hold their positions for a term of four years while designated representatives retain their membership until their appointing organization designates another representative or until the appointing organization ceases to be recognized by the COC. Ex officio members retain their membership for the duration of their term in office. Every two years and on an alternating basis the Session elects six Board members for a 4 year term, ensuring continuity and overlap for the elected positions within the COC.
Board of Directors
The COC Board of Directors manages the affairs of the COC. It meets a minimum of four times annually. It is responsible for a number of activities including approving the appointment of the CEO, providing direction to the CEO, adoption of policies and programs that implement the COC’s strategic plan, adoption of the COC’s annual budget, monitoring the implementation of the policies, programs, and budgets that it adopts, determining the size and composition of each Team it sends to a Games under the COC jurisdiction, and approving all award recipients. The Board is accountable to the Session.