2025 AGM Highlights

The 2025 AGM was well attended online by members from across the country. The first order of business was the passing of By-Law amendments to allow election of members at large to Executive positions on the Board. This will potentially increase the pool of human resources available to lead the organization into the future. The new By-Laws will come into effect in 2027 so in the interim a new Chair, Susan Jenkins a long time director from Ontario was elected to replace retiring Chair Janice Tyndall. Lisa Longtin, director from Saskatchewan was elected Vice Chair replacing Joy Cook.

In accepting her election as Chair, Susan thanked Janice for her invaluable leadership and tireless work over the past number of years. The CWHBA is built on committed volunteers. Janice and Joy brought their experience and skill to bear on the issues in a way that will be impossible to duplicate. Fortunately Janice will continue on the Board as Past Chair and Joy has agreed to maintain some of her committee roles.

A portion of the meeting was given over to an explanation of the recent fee changes. Designed to simplify the fee structure, these changes will ensure that the CWHBA is competitive with the American based daughter studbooks that frequently cross the border. It will also create incentives for breeders to register Canadian.

Jan-Ove Olsson, from Sweden, was named Honorary Life member. In recent years he has played an important role as our international guest inspector; especially as we transitioned to linear profiling. Health issues have forced his retirement from judging and we wish him all the best for the future.

Overall it was a productive meeting, albeit somewhat long. It is difficult to cover all the material that would normally be discussed over a weekend, as in the past. Next year there will be an effort to get reports in early and published in an Annual Report as was done in for 2024. There was discussion about the possibility of returning to a face to face meeting, but cost and the time commitment is a challenge. Nevertheless most people went away looking enthusiastically toward next year.

2025 AGM Agenda and Reports March 15, 2026 1pm MDT via Zoom

  1. Introduction of Directors & Delegates & Members
  2. Agenda Approval
  3. Approval of minutes from previous AGM
  4. Chair’s Report – English – French
  5. Treasurer’s Report
    1. Financial report
    2. Presentation of annual budget
    3. Affirm rebates to Provincial Chapters
    4. Appoint Year End Financial Review Officer
  6. By-Law Amendments
  7. Elections as per current by-laws
    1. Chair
    2. Vice Chair
    3. Studbook Member
  8. Management Committee
    1. Awards – Marilyn Powell – Chair
    2. Communications – Chris Gould – Chair
    3. Office Administration – Jennette Coote
      1. Office report – Victoria Kendall
      2. Studbook cumulative statistics
  9. Board
    1. WBFSH – Chris Gould & Heather Campbell
    2. Stallion Service Auction – Andre Sigmond
    3. Young Breeders – Lisa Longtin
  10. Stud Book Committee
    1. Inspections, National Tour & SPT – Jennette Coote
    2. Inspections and tour plans – Jennette Coote
  11. Provincial Reports
    1. British Columbia – Julie Pilon
    2. Alberta – Cathy Chalack
    3. Saskatchewan – Dianne Million
    4. Manitoba – Victoria Kendall
    5. Ontario – Maria Ardito
    6. Quebec – Marie Arsenault
    7. Maritimes – Shenka Wright
  12. Motions
    1. to Ratify actions of the Board in 2025
    2. Honorary Member(s) –
  13. Other Business
  14. From the floor
  15. Motion to set a Date and Location for the 2026 AGM in 2027
  16. Motion to Adjourn