Dustin Heise 0:00

Matthew, so good to get some time together. Thanks for creating some space in your schedule. I know it's crazy hectic times right now in our worlds, but it's all for a very exciting purpose. Today's guest is Matthew Bongiorno, manager of government relations and public affairs of the Canadian Olympic Committee with a career-spanning international partnerships, higher education, and sport. He's helping strengthen the connection between government, communities, and the Olympic movement across Canada. Thanks so much for taking some time to me. Thank you.

Matthew Bongiorno 0:28

Good to see you, Dustin. Thanks for having me.

Dustin Heise 0:30

Well, it's great to have you. And, you know, Matthew, we've known each other for many years now and worked alongside, shoulder to shoulder, with heads down and driving so hard within the extra intersection of sport, government, public policy, and seeing so much progression happening and now some amazing momentum. You know, what was it that you realized that building relationships could have as much impact in this space as you're having right now?

Matthew Bongiorno 0:57

You know, for me, it kind of all started in 2010, walking the streets of Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. There was a feeling. And normally when you walk the streets, you don't even really make eye contact with people. You're just in your own bubble doing your own thing. But there was an energy, there was a confidence, there was a camaraderie there for 17 days that really impacted me deeply, that I truly felt and I and I think was felt not only in the city, but across the country. And I thought back to how I worked with all levels of government, federal, provincial, municipal. I worked very closely with the four host First Nations. There were many other groups that came together to bring the games. And what we did was we formed really important and strong partnerships that was able to create this wonderful platform that allowed athletes to come and do their thing, compete, inspire a nation, rally a country. And it was kind of through that where I realized these sorts of relationships, these partnerships that you can build with people, even though I'm not the one performing on the field of play, can really have an impact on people's lives. And it was, it was thrilling. It was a wonderful feeling. And it was something that I thought to myself, okay, I can really contribute here. And I'll use my skill set by building partnerships and relationships to do it. And the end result has pretty much carried me throughout my career. So it's just been wonderful.

Dustin Heise 2:23

That's a spot-on response. But I think that it also is so aligned with, you know, how humble you are, giving credit to the athletes. But at the same time, you're such a professional, you're so articulate about how you go about your business and how you contribute alongside all of us in sport and you know at the Canadian Olympic Committee. But, you know, all of us as we work as a united front in Canada, as CEOs and alongside COC and the whole team, when you think about Vancouver and then you think about where we're going, how do you see a sport uniting people together, you know, in Canada? But much bigger than that. I know it's a global movement, but how do you see sport as uniting people?

Matthew Bongiorno 3:02

Sport has this beautiful way of bringing people together to accomplish a common goal, right? It is. Whether it's a team, you want to come together to win. If you're fans, you come together and you want to cheer on your team. If your government or your partners of various kinds, you want to come together and achieve an objective. And I think when you do that, there's a certain respect that's formed among people. And it's formed because you sacrifice together. You go through hard times, you go through challenges, you go maybe through some defeats, and then you come out the other side and you realize, okay, we can do this together. And when you come through something like that, I think you have a different level of respect for people that maybe come from different backgrounds or have different perspectives because you know that there's more that unites you than doesn't. And it's not to say that you're suddenly going to agree with everything that your neighbor thinks or your teammate thinks, but Spork has that way of creating that respect for one another that you see beyond the stereotypes, you see beyond labels, and you just realize, okay, we can actually do this. And what's just that catalyst? It's always been for me, and I think it is for society. We just don't recognize it, I think, in that way.

Dustin Heise 4:20

I think you're spot on. And I think more and more people are about to. I know that this government that's in place right now is just using it as an incredible nation builder. I'm so aligned. I cannot wait to see the impacts and the lasting impact of this. What do you think some of the lasting impact is about to be with this incredible, like this lifetime investment that this government is making into sport and facilities and in NSOs and the ability to get vertical alignment along each of the pathways in sport, you know, along the athlete pathway, but also officials, coaches, you know, parental support, you know, things of that nature? What's that lasting impact that you think that sport can create? You know, could be in the the infrastructure that we we have and each of the provinces and territories are able to perpetuate to, you know, how do these organizations now have the ability to stand the tests of time and leading the world and having athletes on podiums? What do you think is that catalyst of lasting impact?

Matthew Bongiorno 5:18

For me, the lasting impact is bringing communities together. Yeah and having them realize that they can achieve some pretty big things if they come together for one purpose. And I when I see Canada, I see the world, and we're definitely in a period of transition. Things are changing, people are feeling unsure. We're not really, we don't know what the direction is. And there's uh a lot of emotions that come with that. But sport is something familiar, it's something reliable, it's something that people know inherently because they played it as children or they they they performed sport as adults. And similar to my previous answer, it kind of brings people together in a way that we realize there's something much bigger there that we can achieve if we put our minds to it. If we can move beyond our differences, I think that the funding that the federal government has has invested in the sport system, it's gonna allow, it's first of all, it's gonna welcome people to join sport in a way that hasn't been done before because it'll break down barriers. We often talk about this sort of stuff at the federal level and how we work with national sport organizations, but really it trickles all the way down to grassroots sport as well. And when people feel like they can join and be in a welcoming environment, it changes their perspective completely. I often think of someone like Alfonso Davies, right? Coming over as an immigrant, didn't necessarily, I don't know how readily he immigrated into the country, into the community. And because of that, regardless of what language you speak or where you're coming from, sport has that way of making you feel like you belong. And if we can do that and leverage this investment in that way, it's gonna pay itself multiple times over beyond what you see on the field of play or the infrastructure that we create. It's gonna be that sense of confidence that we can achieve things even though the future is uncertain.

Dustin Heise 7:03

I love how you've just shared that. And it links so good to some of your opening comments around that feeling and that feeling that we all felt in 2010, that feeling we're all feeling right now as we see the opportunity and the hope. I have no doubt that we're gonna be able to measure this in the years that come, you know, and having the ability to see how communities see themselves and how sport's been a tie-in in that through not only infrastructure that's supported sport and having more fields and having more opportunity for kids to learn, but I think it's the ability for communities to gather. And, you know, you've you use that as just an amazing example here with your opening statements and then also just, you know, how you lead at the Canadian Olympic Committee, Matthew. It's been happening time and time again, behind the scenes, making it all possible. What do you wish more people understood about the role the organizations like the COC play, the Kenya Olympic Committee?

Matthew Bongiorno 7:57

I think when most people hear the word Olympic, they think of some event that happens every two or four years. And understandably so, because it captures the world's attention, but really there's so much going on behind the scenes every single day that the King Olympic Committee is behind to try and really support the national sports system across Canada. There were a lot of times where the COC was at the forefront of trying to change some of the governance rules across the country when we were going through a trumbling period with safe sport and rectifying that so that athletes who do come into the system do feel safe and in a welcoming environment. There's so much happening at the athlete level where the COC is bringing in private investment through our marketing partners. They're bringing in donors to make sure that athletes have what they need to compete with their international peers. And Dustin, you know this better than anyone. Canadian athletes punch way above their weight. Some of the resources that they've been lacking, right, over the years, it's it's phenomenal they've achieved the results that they have with the resources that were maybe in some cases 50%, 20% of what their competitors had. So the COC really tries to step in and support the athletes in in multiple ways on that front. And then my personal the drive that I had as manager of government relations at the COC was to really bring forward a federal commitment to the national sports system. Many people won't know this, but the government is the primary funder for a lot of national sport organizations. And there hadn't been an increase in funding since 2005. So as of today, that's 21 years ago. That's a long time to go without increasing your funding. And organizations such as yours had to really find creative ways to excel in a very competitive landscape when everybody else seems to be getting ahead, whereas we didn't. And so I joined the COC six years ago. And my primary mandate was how do we get the government to invest in the national sport system so that we can raise our resources and our talent levels up to where they should be so that we can fulfill all this promise. And for six years, we really worked very hard to try to show the government look at the benefits, look at the value that sport brings. This is really worth the investment that we're asking for because canes deserve this first and foremost. But secondly, look at what they can do if you just give them a chance. And we're very, very pleased that uh this past April, the federal government did finally invest, they made a generational investment of $755 million over the next five years, which I think will go a very long way to supporting athletes at all levels of the playing field from playground to podium. And that's the kind of work that the COC does in the back in the background, but people won't necessarily hear about it until some major announcement is had every few years or so.

Dustin Heise 10:51

Completely appreciate you sharing all of the what happens behind the scenes to lead to big announcement days. And, you know, I know that initial 755 million for sure there in April. And then, you know, how they're continuing to perpetuate that, you know, well over a billion and additional infrastructure resourcing that's contributing to long-needed investment across the country and making sure that there is a place for communities to go and learn to participate, participate, become an athlete, and then ultimately represent your country and the ongoing work that you know that we do together with the likes of yourselves and the Canadian Olympic Committee, it's uh it's been a lot of fun too, along the ways. And there's moments where, you know, it's uh it's a grind for sure. But when you put big wins on the board like have real have recently happened, it it's all for that continued hope that I know that we've all had. I think the work in education in international programs that you guys continue to do in the Olympic sport movement, what leadership lesson has stayed consistent throughout every chapter of your career?

Matthew Bongiorno 11:58

I've been fortunate to work with some very sharp people, creative leaders. But for me, it always comes down to being authentic and being forthcoming with people. It's one of those things that just drives respect. And I think as humans, we just inherently feel it when someone is authentic with us, or especially when they're not, especially in this day and age. So having that sense of really getting to know someone and going through trials and tribulations with them, I think over time it builds a level of respect where you want to work hard for them, you want to collaborate with them, you want to make sure that a project that you're working on succeeds. And I always think back to this conference that we were organizing. It was a small one back in 2010 in Vancouver for our partners. And one of our leaders showed up at 7 a.m. and he was pulling out folding chairs and setting up tables, and he really did not need to be there at 7 a.m. to do this kind of grut work. But he showed up, he did it. It really inspired the rest of us who were who were there at 7 a.m. to try and get all this stuff done. And it made me feel like, okay, he's part of the team. He's not above the team. And that for me is everything. Because when you feel like you're unified, you're just all moving in the same direction. Instead of questioning yourself, questioning a leader, wondering if the efforts that you're putting forward really matter. And there's no way of verbalizing it. You have to kind of see it and feel it. And that was the example that always stuck out to me. And I've been fortunate to have a couple of leaders that I've worked for over the years that have done that kind of thing. And to me, that just brings forward the kind of leadership that I value and what I hope to be as I lead my own teams moving forward. And it's just, it applies in every possible context. There's there's no there's no area where I don't think being authentic with people and being forthright would would really come across as positive and help the team to grow.

Dustin Heise 13:53

I love your ability to share that courageous leadership. I think that you're the leaders you're speaking of would never see that you're working for them. They believe that you're working with them, and I have no doubt you're the kind of leader that views it like that as well. And uh that's why you make it so easy to work with you, Matthew. And the COC lives by the same principles. I gotta be honest with you. It's it's a pure pleasure. You know, as Canada prepares to host, you know, more major international sporting events, and we've seen the likes of the World Cups, we see nonstop major events here in Canada. We're a hosting nation, we're an incredible hosting nation. We know the impacts that this have. What do you see as lasting legacy beyond medals, you know, when we look at sporting events here in Canada?

Matthew Bongiorno 14:38

The legacy is really bringing communities together. Sport always has the power to do that. And winning the medals are wonderful, and it's a moment of euphoria that you will feel for a short period of time, as you know very well. But ultimately, there has to be a little bit more than that. And I think hosting it inspires a certain confidence that we can get big things done and that we can come together despite our differences, despite different priorities, things that really matter in a society, but yet for whatever reason, we we can't just unlock it. And I think hosting and sport in particular brings so many people together at once. And just look at the World Cup that we we co-hosted in Canada, right? How many millions of people are watching the very same event at the very same time, having the same emotions? It wasn't just the the 45,000 people in the stadium, it was millions of Canadians across the country. And that's that's a feeling, that's a confidence that comes with sport and it comes with hosting. That's one side of it for me. The other side is what does it show the world? Canada is is now being more assertive across the world. We're trying to show that Canada has the values, the commodities, the ideas that the world wants. And sure, other people in in countries around the world, they may know Canada for one reason or another, maybe they know our companies, or maybe they know some of the things that we've done in the past. But sport is an incredible ambassador. And it shows in an instant what a country is capable of. And there's a certain respect that happens if you can put on an event successfully. You share your values, you share your competencies, and you share what the country is all about and from its people on up through the the welcoming that you have of the world. And that's the kind of stuff that I don't know too many other things in the world that can reflect positively in a country like hosting a sporting event can.

Dustin Heise 16:39

And people want to do business with people that make them feel like that. It's no question about, as you know, you know, Canada was ranked the highest within the host cities within that World Cup. And no surprise, you know, we we have constituents and cities and people that make this all possible within, you know, the tourism associations and you know, the ability to continue to perpetuate that. I know, you know, that uh our colleagues that work in each of these tourism associations and sport tourism, you know, things of that nature, you know, really have a combining and compounding impact on these opportunities to connect people. And you keep using that, you know, I think that incredible language around that galvanizing of community. And that's what it's all about. You know, for each of us, when we wake up every day, we want to pe feel a part of something that we're contributing to, both locally. You know, we happen to be able to do it at a global stage and you know, working in the the Olympic movement and things of that nature. But it's incredible what these opportunities have and allow for as we continue to build together, man. And I can't thank you enough for the work that you're doing and your teammates. As you reflect on your career though, Matthew, and starting with Vancouver organizing committee, you know, in 2010 until today, what changes have you seen in Canadian sport landscape?

Matthew Bongiorno 17:57

There have been so many. And I think one of the really big positive ones has been women's sport and the growth and development of that over the last 15, 16 years. It's it's truly remarkable to see the women's hockey leagues, basketball leagues, soccer leagues that have grown across Canada and how we're bringing so many girls and women into sport, especially when there was always there was always that that cliche that that girls would drop out, you know, once they hit their teenage years, and and yet I've seen stats where something like 90% of female CEOs were on competitive sports teams at some point in their life. Isn't that incredible? 90%, or it may even higher than that as well.

Dustin Heise 18:41

Well, it's you're you you're in the realm no matter what. I love it. Yeah.

Matthew Bongiorno 18:45

And just to see this growth, and you know, roughly 50% of the population is is female, is women and girls. So to have all of them participating in in sport and to see that they can achieve the highest levels, that inspiration is has been fantastic. And uh over the last 15 or 16 years, I think that has been truly but one of the most remarkable changes in Canadian sport. But there have been some other changes as well.

Dustin Heise 19:11

I love it, by the way. I just want to I just want to build on that for a second with you as a father of two daughters. I mean, I I couldn't agree more. I mean, we plan, you know, our vacation time, we plan our our ability to to go to major events, you know, we'll we'll head to the Toronto Temple game as a family, you know, upcoming here in Vancouver, uh, here in August. And, you know, just using that as an example, like because my daughters, they love basketball and they will be height challenged their entire lives, no doubt about it, because mom and dad are just not that tall. But at the same time, they love this sport, we're all about it, and and you know, we're so stoked to be part of it. And and you know, to be honest with you, I follow the women's game now more than I I follow the men's game because it's making work. Oh, heck yeah. So I'm with you. I think that that's uh that's been a massive change to the positive, and I can't wait to see it continue to explode. But I'm gonna kick it back to you. Carry on.

Matthew Bongiorno 20:02

Well, and that and I want to start with that because it's so humongous and in terms of the impact that it's having. There are other things that I'm a little bit more cautious about, which you may agree with me here. One of them is the way sport is consumed. You have single sport betting now that's legalized. You have over the last 15 years, the explosion of social media and how people tie that in with watching sport and some of the negative stories that you hear there. So the way people consume sport now has is changed radically, I think, since since 2010 when social media was around, but it didn't have the impact. And certainly betting wasn't what it is today. And and there are things there that I think we need to be cautious of as we move forward and try and safeguard and protect athletes from some of these negative uh situations that they can put it, be put in. Uh and then another one would be just the way the cost of sport has exploded and how professionalized it's become at the youngest of ages. And again, you have you have two daughters, so you would know how expensive everything has gotten to the point where we have to make sure that it's still open to everyone and that you don't have to be incredibly wealthy to be able to play sports in your local community because it's it's meant for everyone. And as we've been saying, it brings communities together, but that can only happen if it's open to the to everyone in the community and not just a select few.

Dustin Heise 21:27

There's no question though, there are still barriers. And you know, that's the whole point of why we work day in and day out. And I know that all of our colleagues, doesn't matter the sport, are working as tirelessly as you and I are to make sure that you know those barriers are not only reduced but removed entirely where possible. And, you know, again, we want all kids, all Canadians for that matter, to be able to access sport. I mean, how good do you feel every time you are able to come out of something that you've been able to move your body at in some way, shape, or form, or your mind, or whatever you're unable to unlock with your ability of movement to be able to, you know, get those endorphins going and feel, you know, so much better about you know life and the world around us and those around us. So I think we we let into just that feeling that you know sport brings us to isn't as as we gather together through sport. And you know, I think we're left with that feeling of joy and and passion towards making a difference. And you know, I think that's what you you and the COC are doing day in, day out. And hey Matthew, they're they're lucky to have you, and we're lucky to have you in the in the Canadian sports system.

Matthew Bongiorno 22:32

Well, thank you. That's very nice of you to say. We've actually formalized this. You you would have heard of Team Canada 2035, our strategic plan to get one million more youth involved in sport over the course of the next 10 years. And this again is one of those things that the COC is doing behind the scenes, but it's just so critical to contributing to our societies across the country and getting kids involved in sport is a great foundation to build off as they head into, as they grow up and head into adulthood.

Dustin Heise 23:00

Well, we're looking forward to being a big part of that alongside you, man. Kat, thank you enough for your time today. Thanks so much, Matthew.

Matthew Bongiorno 23:06

Thanks, Lesson. Great chatting with you.