CALGARY, 10 November 2026 — On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), I am announcing that Daniel Bernhard has decided to step down as our CEO on 31 December 2026 to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

Daniel came to the ICC in 2021 with experience spanning business, technology, government, and the non-profit sector, and a proven record championing public causes that strengthen Canada. Our then co-Chairs, the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul entrusted him to lead the ICC to new heights. He more than lived up to that promise.

Daniel made foundational changes that scaled our Canoo program from 15,000 newcomer members when he became CEO to over 1,000,000 today. Canoo is now Canada’s largest newcomer integration platform, serving more people than all other Canadian settlement services combined, for less than 1% of the cost.

The Board mandated Daniel with relaunching our Ideas & Insights program. He did. Under Daniel’s leadership, the ICC developed a new research focus on skilled immigrant retention. Widely considered a non-issue at the time, this challenge is now well established as a material threat to Canada’s prosperity.

Daniel redoubled the ICC’s position as a trusted, independent voice on immigration and citizenship. A natural communicator, he brought clarity, courage, maturity and optimism to these contentious issues, in both official languages. With Daniel as our spokesperson, the ICC’s message reached audiences across Canada and around the world, earning over a billion annual media impressions by 2025 and tangibly informing the debate on Parliament Hill and in newsrooms from coast to coast to coast.

Internally, Daniel leaves the ICC well-equipped for lasting success. He tripled our revenue in his first three years as CEO, developed new commercial revenue streams, opened our first satellite offices in Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal, recruited a talented and diverse team, rebuilt the Canoo app’s technical infrastructure, and deepened our partnerships with governments, philanthropists, businesses, cultural institutions and community organizations across Canada.

Most of all, Daniel led the ICC with heart, generosity and an unwavering commitment to our country. His energy, creativity, and perseverance made a clear impact on Canada, and inspired a great many new supporters to join our cause. He leaves behind a stronger, more prominent ICC that serves far more people than ever before.

The Board has identified a fantastic leader to succeed Daniel. I will share details on the transition in the coming weeks.

But for now, the Board, our Founders and I wish to thank Daniel for a truly exceptional tenure of transformative and impactful leadership – for the ICC, and for Canada – and congratulate him in advance for the successes that await him upon returning to commercial life.

Irfhan Rawji

Chair, Board of Directors
Institute for Canadian Citizenship