Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
Held virtually
June 26, 2025
Attendance:
Board of Directors: Jill Kowalchuk (Chair), Gwen Beauchemin (Vice-Chair), Colleen Arnold, Graeme Bunton, Hélène Deschamps Marquis, John Demco, Matthew Gamble, David Mackey, Crystal Nett, Rob Villeneuve, Michael Zahra
Board Advisor: Byron Holland
Corporate Secretary: Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe
Regrets: Anne Butler
Guests: Jon Ferguson, Maureen James, Paula Panetta, Deanna Young
1) Call to Order & Approval of Agenda
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 1:03pm ET on June 26, 2025.
IT WAS MOVED by Matthew Gamble and SECONDED by Gwen Beauchemin that the agenda be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.
1.2) Conflict of Interest Disclosure
There were no conflicts of interest declared in relation to the meeting items.
2) Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on June 3rd & 4th, 2025 were provided to the Board for their review and approval.
IT WAS MOVED by David Mackey and SECONDED by Crystal Nett that the minutes of the Board meeting held on June 3rd & 4th, 2025 be approved as amended.
Motion passed unanimously.
H. Deschamps Marquis joined the meeting
3) CIPAC Grant Recommendation
M. James joined the meeting.
The Chair of the Community Investment Policy and Advocacy Committee (CIPAC) presented the final list of proposed grantees to the Board for their review and approval.
In response to questions from the Board, it was noted that:
- There was a substantial number of submissions from within the “online safety” category
- Efforts continue to increase regional representation of submissions, especially targeting the Maritimes and northern Canada.
- To ensure monies granted are spent in the manner outlined in project applications, grantee financial documentation is reviewed as part of the application process and there is oversight on both interim reporting and final financial reports upon completion of the funded project. Random audits have been considered but are not currently a requirement of the program.
- Discussion ensued regarding whether infrastructure funding remains a priority, and whether there is opportunity to consider a different CIRA-led approach for the online safety pillar. It was noted that this would be a topic for the Committee’s upcoming meeting on grants strategy review in the context of CIRA’s FY26-FY28 Strategic Plan.
IT WAS MOVED by Gwen Beauchemin and SECONDED by Michael Zahra that on the recommendation of the Community Investment, Policy and Advocacy Committee:
1) the full disbursement of $1,221,491.93 be approved (subject to any modifications as are permitted in the manner set out in 2) below);
2) the thirteen (13) submissions with discretion to substitute such submissions with a recommended back-up project, all as presented to the Board, be approved, and
3) the payment of a $2,000 honorarium to each of the independent non-Directors on the Grants Evaluation Panel be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.
M. James withdrew from the meeting.
4) In camera session
The Board held an in-camera session with management present.
5) Other Business
5.1) Board Work Plan
The Board Work Plan was received.
5.2) Board Action Register
The Board Action Register was received.
5.3) Next meeting
The next meeting was confirmed as being scheduled on July 23, 2025
6) In-Camera Session
B. Holland, J. Ferguson, P. Panetta, and D. Young withdrew from the meeting.
The Board held an in-camera session.
7) Conclusion of Meeting
IT WAS MOVED by Gwen Beauchemin and SECONDED by Graeme Bunton that the meeting of the Board be concluded.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Chair concluded the meeting at 1:39 pm ET.
