Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
Held virtually
March 20, 2026
Attendance:
Board of Directors: Rob Villeneuve (Chair), Anne Butler (Vice-Chair), Colleen Arnold, Gwen Beauchemin, Graeme Bunton, Hélène Deschamps Marquis, Janice Diner, Matthew Gamble, Jill Kowalchuk, David Mackey, Crystal Nett, Darcy Smith
Board Advisors: Byron Holland, John Demco
Corporate Secretary: Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe
Regrets: None.
Guests: Sanita Alias, Deanna Young
1. Call to Order & Approval of Agenda
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 2:03pm ET on March 20, 2026.
IT WAS MOVED by Graeme Bunton and SECONDED by Jill Kowalchuk that the agenda be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.
1.2 Conflict of Interest Disclosure
R. Villeneuve, G. Beauchemin and G. Bunton declared conflicts of interest related to the formation of the Nomination Committee as they are each eligible for re-election in the upcoming election cycle.
D. Smith joined the meeting.
2. In-Camera Session (Directors only)
B. Holland, S. Alias and D. Young withdrew from the meeting.
The Board held an in-camera session.
B. Holland, S. Alias and D. Young rejoined the meeting.
3. Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on February 18th & 19th, 2026 were provided to the Board for their review and approval.
IT WAS MOVED by David Mackey and SECONDED by Darcy Smith that the minutes of the Board meeting held on February 18th & 19th, 2026 be approved as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Formation of Member Ad Hoc Committee
The Chair referred the Board to the Ad Hoc Committee Policy and provided an overview of the mandate of the proposed Member Ad Hoc Committee, noting he had asked Ms. Kowalchuk to chair the Committee.
IT WAS MOVED by Crystal Nett and SECONDED by Darcy Smith that Jill Kowalchuk, Graeme Bunton, Janice Diner, and David Mackey be appointed to the Membership Engagement Ad Hoc Committee (MEC) for a term expiring at the end of the current Board session and that each member of the MEC be compensated for their participation at meetings in line with compensation for Committees as outlined in the Director Compensation Policy.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. Formation of the 2026 Nomination Committee
The Chair of the Governance Committee provided an overview of the process for evaluation of the 2026 Nomination Committee candidates and noted that the Governance Committee weighed the importance of diversity (including in respect of geography, culture, language and professional experience) and the desire for an appropriate balance of new and existing members in making their recommendation.
IT WAS MOVED by Hélène Deschamps Marquis and SECONDED by Darcy Smith that on the recommendation of the Governance Committee, each of Barb Scully, Bobby Singh, Jim Ghadbane, Liza Aboud, and Nikki Muswaggon be appointed to CIRA’s Nomination Committee for terms of two (2) years, commencing March 20, 2026.
Motion passed unanimously
(with R. Villeneuve, G. Beauchemin
and G. Bunton abstaining).
D. Young withdrew from the meeting.
6. In-Camera Session
The Board held an in-camera session with certain members of management present.
7. Other Business
7.1 Board Work Plan
The Board Work Plan was received.
7.2 Action Item Register
The Action Item Register was received.
7.3 Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed as being scheduled for May 4, 2026 at 1:00pm ET.
S. Alias withdrew from the meeting.
8. In-Camera Session (Directors only)
B. Holland withdrew from the meeting.
The Board held an in-camera session.
9. Conclusion of Meeting
IT WAS MOVED by Graeme Bunton and SECONDED by Anne Butler that the meeting of the Board be concluded.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Chair concluded the meeting at 3:32 pm ET.
