For more than 15 years, Canaccord Genuity has been a dedicated sponsor of Special Olympics BC, making a difference for athletes with intellectual disabilities in communities across the province.

Canaccord Genuity has been changing lives through sport through many years of supporting SOBC fundraising events. Since 2012, Canaccord Genuity has been a dedicated Major Sponsor of the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals and Bronze Sponsor of the SOBC Classic. Through their generous sponsorship of these events, Canaccord Genuity has contributed more than $350,000 over the past 10 years!

Ted Hirst, Managing Director at Canaccord Genuity, has championed SOBC’s vision and mission for more than 15 years. In 2022, he was inducted into the 2022 SOBC Hall of Fame as a Provincial Builder. He has been a valued leader on the SOBC Board of Directors since 2009, as both a Director and as Chair. Hirst has also served alongside Gunnar Eggertson, Managing Director at Canaccord Genuity, on the Sports Celebrities Festival committee since 2012.

As one of SOBC’s most generous donors, Hirst has personally contributed significant funds to the organization, and has worked hard to encourage others to support Special Olympics so that no athlete is denied the opportunity to participate because they cannot afford it. He has been an encouraging and supportive presence at many Special Olympics BC and Canada Games, cheering on athletes, welcoming families, and thanking volunteers.

“I remember how this all started. I was at my first Games for Special Olympics, and I sat beside a mom. She said to me, ‘I wouldn’t change my son for the world, but I would like to change the world for my son.’ She asked me to do it, so I did. And so I am very blessed to be part of this organization,” Hirst said.

Read more about Hirst and the 2022 SOBC Hall of Fame inductees

We are so grateful to Canaccord Genuity and leaders like Hirst and Eggertson for their ongoing support of SOBC’s life-changing programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities!