GOVERNANCE
Equestrian Canada (EC) is recognized by Sport Canada, the Féderation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) as the national governing body for equestrian sport and recreation.
Overview
Good governance requires maintaining a clear and disciplined distinction between the functions
of the Board and the functions of management. It also requires that the Board follow the
principles of sound governance endorsed by Sport Canada.
EC employs a governance model that separates governance and management functions. The Board delegates to the CEO the responsibility for managing the operations of EC under Board direction and policies, and subject to any limits that may be established by the Board.
For more information about Governance, read our Governance Manual.
Structure
The Governance Structure at EC has three key components:
| Voting Members | 27 individuals divided into three Categories that provide representation for EC membership |
| Board of Directors | Elected by the Voting Members to develop and support the organizational structure, provide strategic direction/vision for EC and, through the President, provide strategic direction to the CEO |
| Standing & Ad Hoc Board Committees | Formed by the Board to support Board activities to position EC to be effective and relevant today and in the future |
BUILDING FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Building for a Better Future
EC Board of Directors champions the organization’s strategic plan entitled “Building for a Better Future” and shares its vision and strategic goals as well as measures its progress quarterly.
Embarking on a governance renewal path
Over the past few years, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Sport Canada have introduced Canadian Sports Governance Code and a Sport Canada Scorecard. As part of ongoing governance renewal, EC has embarked on a complete review of its governance framework, policies, and processes.
The first priority of the renewal is to align its governance with the expectations of the Canadian Sports Governance Code and to continue to revise and adopt policies and processes to become a model of effective governance for a Canadian National Sport Organization.
Through 2024, EC will continue its governance review and renewal process with the close collaboration of the community.
We look to sport to impart something of moral and social values and, in integrating us as individuals, to bring about a healthy, integrated society.
The Honourable Chief Justice Charles L. Dubin
How Does Governance Work at EC?
We’re glad you asked! To help answer your questions, we compiled answers to frequently asked questions about our governance.
Voting Members
Category A Definition
Category A includes the Equestrian Sports Committees, commonly referred to as Sport Discipline Committees. These are Operational Committees of EC established to provide strategic guidance and counsel to EC management for the development of each FEI discipline in Canada. The committees are composed of volunteers who have technical expertise in the discipline they serve. These committees provide strategic and operational recommendations concerning all aspects of the sport’s development while ensuring equine welfare.
The nine (9) Category A Members with voting rights are elected and/or designated through each Sport Discipline Committee and according to the Category A Terms of Reference (TOR).
Members
- Brenda Minor, ON (Chair)
- Wendy Christoff, BC
- Karen Sparks, ON
- Martha Worts, ON
- Dessia Miller, ON
- Korynn Weber, BC
- Larry Brinker, BC
- Lisa Reimer, ON
- Birgit Epskamp Valkenborg, ON
Marilyn Korim – Staff Liaison
Audrey-Julie Dallaire – Board Liaison
Contact: CategoryA@equestrian.ca
Category B Definition
Category B consists of eleven (11) PTSOs who between them have approximately 90,000 members. Each PTSO holds elections to select their Presidents who represent the membership of their PTSO.
The nine (9) Category B Members with voting rights are designated according to the Category B Terms of Reference (TOR).
Members
- Deanna Phelan, NB (Chair)
- Adrienne Smith, NS
- Robert Fournier, QC
- Geri Sweet, MB
- Jess Anstey, NL
- Cindy Klassen, SK
- Lynda Atkinson, BC
- Hilary Parkes, ON
- Jason Edworthy, AB
Marilyn Korim – Staff Liaison
Marion Cunningham – Board Liaison
Contact: CategoryB@equestrian.ca
Category C Definition
Category C consists of National or Regional organizations that represent a particular area of equine interest where these organizations are not represented by another category of membership. The number of NEOs Affiliated with EC may change from year to year as each applies to EC on an annual basis. There are three types of Affiliate ; Industry Affiliate, Breed Associate Affiliate and Special Interest Affiliate each type has different criteria by which they join EC.
The nine (9) Category C Members with voting rights are designated according to the Category C Terms of Reference (TOR).
Members
- Lynne Redmond – American Saddlebred Horse Association of Canada, ON
- Ursula Hosking – Canadian Hanoverian Society, ON
- Nancy Kavanagh – Canadian Morgan Horse Association, ON
- Laurie Haughton – Canadian Quarter Horse Association, ON
- Charlotte Nagy – Canadian Sport Horse Association, ON
- Julie Coulter – Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, ON
- Janice Tyndall – Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association, BC
- Darryl Kaplan – Standardbred Canada, ON
- Mary Cork – Welsh Pony and Cob*Society of Canada, ON
Marilyn Korim – Staff Liaison
Gilles Levasseur – Board Liaison
Contact: CategoryC@equestrian.ca
Governance Policies
For a full listing, visit Forms & Documents:
2025 EC Annual General Meeting
The 2025 EC AGM will take place on May 27, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET via web conference.
Annual General Meetings (AGM)
As a registered nonprofit organization in Canada, EC must have at least one meeting every 15 months for its members to elect the board of directors, review financial statements, select an auditor, and vote on any changes to their bylaws. That meeting is called an annual meeting, annual general meeting (AGM), or annual members’ meeting.
Resources and documents associated with each AGM over the last four years can be found below:
- AGM 2021 Notice and Agenda
- 2021 Nominating Committee Final Election Report
- 2021 EC By-law Changes
- Summary of Proposed Bylaw and Articles Changes
- 2021 Equine Canada Audited Financial Statements
- Board of Directors 2020-2021 Annual Report of Activity
- Finance and Audit Committee 2020-21 Annual Report
- 2020-2021 Management Annual Report
Resources
For a full list, visit Forms & Documents:
Financial Statements
Annual Reports
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
