What Canucks Autism Network does

Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is a British Columbia-registered charity (Society Act of BC; CRA Registered Charity #82247 2957 RR0001) founded in 2008 by Vancouver Canucks co-owners Paolo and Clara Aquilini. The organization delivers recreation, employment, social-connection, and wellness programs for individuals on the autism spectrum across four age cohorts — Early Years (3-6), Children (7-12), Youth (13-17), and Adults (18+) — through six BC regional hubs anchored by a Vancouver headquarters (1788 West 8th Avenue) and a Kelowna regional office (242-1889 Springfield Road), with additional regional leads in Kamloops, Nanaimo, and Victoria. In 2024 it delivered more than 640 programs and serves a registered community of over 20,100 autistic individuals and family members. CAN also operates Family Experiences (water parks, farms, mini golf, skating) gated by a $25 annual Family Experience Pass, and the CAN-STEP employment program delivered in Vancouver and Kelowna.

The underlying technology is non-proprietary and integration-led: PerfectMind powers account creation and program registration; Zoom delivers virtual programs and virtual training; Formstack powers the contact form; SmartSheet handles training intake requests; and the CAN Learning Hub (learn.canucksautism.ca), launched in 2023, is a self-serve learning management system for online courses. There is no proprietary algorithm, hardware, or AI/ML component described. The CAN Self-Identification Policy permits individuals ages 13+ to access programs without a formal autism diagnosis, which is a notable product/policy differentiator relative to diagnosis-gated peers. Operations are supported by 50+ full-time staff and hundreds of part-time staff and volunteers across BC.

The revenue model is hybrid charity-financed. CAN receives individual donations (including a monthly "Village" recurring-giving program and tax-receipted gifts of $20+), corporate sponsorship (TD Bank Group $50,000 for Family Experiences in 2023; Dallas Watt Demo Ltd as CAN Pro-Am presenting sponsor since 2022), government grants (Government of Canada Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities for Vancouver CAN-STEP; Youth Employment Skills Strategy for Kelowna CAN-STEP), and fundraising events (30% of total funding per the 2022 annual report). Program fees are highly subsidized (hockey $575 vs. higher true cost; swim $60 vs. ~$700 true cost) and reimbursable through the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development Autism Funding Unit (AFU). The Training and Consulting arm layers Learning Hub course fees ($25-$60 per course) and group/organizational licensing on top.

Name

Canucks Autism Network

Legal name

Canucks Autism Network Society

Website

https://canucksautism.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Canucks Autism Network is a British Columbia-registered charity delivering age-segmented recreation, employment, social, and training programs for autistic individuals, their families, and community organizations, funded primarily through donations, corporate sponsorship, government grants, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Social Skills & Peer-Mediated Programs (EDAKAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Autism support programs
• Neurodiversity training services
• Inclusive recreation programs
• Autism employment training
• Special needs education

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20 or more. Monthly giving program ('The Village') allows recurring contributions. Donors can give online, by mail (cheque), or through planned giving vehicles.
2. Corporate Sponsorship & Partnerships: Companies sponsor CAN programs (e.g., TD Bank Group $50,000 for Family Experiences) and fundraising events (e.g., Dallas Watt Demo Ltd as presenting sponsor of CAN Pro-Am). Sponsors receive marketing exposure and brand alignment. 30% of CAN's funding comes from fundraising events.
3. Government Funding: CAN receives government grants for specific programs. Vancouver: Government of Canada Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities funds CAN-STEP. Kelowna: Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) program funds CAN-STEP. Funding also comes from Municipalities and Government Agencies for statistical/demographic reporting and financial audit compliance.
4. Program Fees: Participants pay highly subsidized program fees to join CAN programs. For example, hockey costs $575 (average true cost much higher). Swim program costs $60 (average true cost ~$700). Family Experiences require a $25 annual pass. Fees can be paid via Autism Funding Unit (AFU) for eligible programs. CAN also offers a Fee Assistance Program for families facing financial barriers.
5. Online Course Fees: CAN Learning Hub courses are sold at $25-60 per course. Free 5-minute mini courses are available. Group discounts and organizational licensing are available. Completing a free mini course provides a 25% discount on full courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Canucks Autism Network is a registered charity that delivers subsidized recreational, social, employment, and wellness programs for autistic children, youth, and adults across British Columbia, complemented by Family Experiences events and an online training platform (CAN Learning Hub) that sells sector-specific courses to organizations and individuals. Programs are accessed through a free CAN account on the PerfectMind registration system and are delivered both in-person across six BC regions and virtually province-wide.

Product overview

Canucks Autism Network (CAN) operates as a nonprofit organization delivering programs for individuals on the autism spectrum across British Columbia. The core offering consists of age-targeted programs spanning Early Years (ages 3-6), Children (ages 7-12), Youth (ages 13-17), and Adults (ages 18+), covering sports & recreation, wellness & mental health, employment, and social connection. These programs are complemented by the CAN Learning Hub, an online training platform providing sector-specific courses for community professionals. The Training and Consulting division offers live workshops, virtual training, and accessibility consultation services. Family Experiences provide inclusive community events, while employment-focused initiatives include CAN-STEP (skills training employment program) and Ready, Willing & Able career navigation. The organization uses PerfectMind as its registration platform for managing participant accounts and bookings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAN Learning Hub: Online learning platform offering courses for first responders, sports & rec leaders, mental health providers, customer service staff, travel professionals, and more on supporting Autistic individuals.

Products and services

• Early Years Programs (Ages 3-6) Foundational movement skills and social skill development programs for young autistic children (ages 3-6), including Multisport, Swim, and Skate programs delivered in-person across BC regions.
• Children Programs (Ages 7-12) Sport-focused movement and social skill development programs for autistic children (ages 7-12), with Multisport, Swim, Skate, Gymnastics, Hockey, and Music offerings.
• Youth Programs (Ages 13-17) Recreation, wellness, mental health, and employment programs providing social interaction opportunities for autistic youth (ages 13-17), accessed via self-identification (no formal diagnosis required).
• Adult Programs (Ages 18+) Recreation, wellness, mental health, employment, and leadership programs for autistic adults (ages 18+) with social interaction opportunities, delivered in-person and virtually.
• Family Experiences Family events providing inclusive activities in non-judgmental environments with connections to other families, including exclusive venue bookings and community events. Access requires the Family Experience Pass ($25 per family per year) for unlimited events across all BC regions.
• Hockey Program Adapted hockey program running October to April with teams for children and youth (ages 8-18) and Youth & Adult (16+), featuring 20 weekly practices and optional tournament participation; program fee $575.
• Skills Training Employment Program (CAN-STEP) Pre-employment skills training and work experience program for autistic job seekers, offering up to 5 weeks of classroom training and 120 hours of work experience placement. CAN-STEP in Vancouver is funded by the Government of Canada's Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, and CAN-STEP in Kelowna is funded through the Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) program.
• Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) Career Navigation National career navigation services connecting autistic job seekers with employment services, community agencies, and support resources. Co-delivered province-wide with Inclusion BC as a Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) partner.
• CAN Learning Hub Online learning platform offering sector-specific courses for first responders, travel professionals, sports & rec leaders, customer service staff, crisis line workers, mental health providers, educators, parents/guardians, and camp leaders. Combines free 5-minute mini courses with paid 60-90 minute full courses ($25-$60); group discounts and organizational licensing available.
• Live Training Workshops In-person autism training workshops delivered by CAN Learning Facilitators across BC, customized to specific organizational needs covering foundational autism knowledge, support strategies, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Virtual Training Workshops Real-time autism training delivered via Zoom, allowing attendees to engage with CAN Learning Facilitators virtually from any location.
• Accessibility Consultation Individualized support, inclusive event planning, sensory-friendly space design, and resource development services to help organizations increase accessibility for autistic individuals and customers.
• Supported Employment Program supporting individuals with diverse needs through supported employment opportunities within Canucks Autism Network operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 640 programs delivered in 2024 for children, youth, and adults on the autism spectrum across BC
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Meridian Farm Market & Ralph's Farm MarketminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Every April during Autism Acceptance Month, Meridian Farm Market & Ralph's Farm Market donate a portion of sales of chicken wings, berries, and other products to CAN.
• ITC Construction GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024ITC Construction Group is shown as a presenting sponsor of CAN events, providing financial support in exchange for brand exposure.
• TD Bank GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2023TD Bank Group donated $50,000 in sponsorship funding to support the delivery of five CAN Family Experiences across the Lower Mainland, Interior, and Fraser Valley. TD also committed upwards of 20 staff volunteers who will welcome, support, and engage with CAN families at each Family Experience. Expected to welcome cumulative 4,200 CAN members.
• Dallas Watt Demo LtdcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Since 2022, Dallas Watt Demo Ltd has been the presenting sponsor of the CAN Pro-Am Hockey Tournament. This is a key annual fundraising event featuring NHL Alumni.
• Canucks Sports & Entertainment / Canucks For Kids FundflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008CAN is a core beneficiary of the Canucks For Kids Fund. Since inaugural year in 2008, Canucks Sports & Entertainment have been CAN's biggest supporters, providing generous funding and year-round support. Canucks players, alumni, and personnel attend select programs and signature events like CAN Sports Day and CAN Pro-Am Hockey Tournament. Paolo and Clara Aquilini (Canucks co-owners) founded CAN in 2008 after their son was diagnosed with autism.
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2014, CAN has partnered with YVR to host annual Autism Aviation Tours, providing Autistic individuals and families with a practice run of the airport experience. Over 500 individuals from the CAN community have benefited. CAN also developed frontloading resources for Autistic travelers. In November 2025, YVR hosted Accessibility takes flight at YVR Autism Aviation Day.
• Air CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN partnered with Air Canada to increase accessibility in travel environments province-wide, including training for Air Canada staff.
• TransLinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN partnered with TransLink to increase accessibility on transit, including training frontline transit staff to support Autistic travelers.
• Inclusion BCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN is an RWA (Ready, Willing & Able) partner, co-delivering the program province-wide with Inclusion BC. RWA is a national initiative that engages, educates, and supports employers to hire people on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability.
• Inclusion CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRWA is a national partnership initiative of Inclusion Canada and Autism Alliance of Canada and their member organizations. CAN co-delivers RWA as a provincial partner.
• Autism Alliance of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRWA is a national partnership initiative of Autism Alliance of Canada and Inclusion Canada and their member organizations. CAN co-delivers RWA as a provincial partner.
• Foundry BCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN partnered with Foundry BC to increase autism understanding among mental health professionals through customized workshops.
• Crisis Centre BCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN worked with Crisis Centre BC to increase autism understanding among crisis line workers, addressing a significant training gap identified in a 2021 national survey.
• BC Recreation & Parks Association (BCRPA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBCRPA hosts three of CAN's courses for camp, sports & recreation, and customer service staff in their e-learning platform, expanding CAN's reach through BCRPA's recreation sector network.
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYYJ hosted First-Ever Autism Aviation Day on May 13, 2025, providing Autistic individuals and families with a practice run of the airport experience.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Autism Speaks Canada: National Canadian autism advocacy and services nonprofit focused on awareness, research, and family services. Comparable to CAN in mission and target population, though national in scope and more advocacy-focused rather than direct program delivery.
• Sinneave Family Foundation: Calgary-based autism services organization providing programs, employment support, and resources for autistic individuals and families. Closely mirrors CAN's Alberta-comparable model of program delivery, training, and employment services.
• Pacific Autism Family Network: A BC-based nonprofit serving autistic individuals and families with programs, resources, and a family centre in Richmond. Directly comparable to CAN as a regional autism services network, operating in overlapping BC geography with similar mission.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-based nonprofit providing autism programs across the lifespan including social, employment, and residential supports. Comparable to CAN in direct service model for children, youth, and adults on the autism spectrum.
• Autism Nova Scotia: Provincial autism services organization providing training, programs, and family supports in Nova Scotia. Closely parallel structure to CAN: provincial scope, training arm, programs for individuals, and partnership with mental health providers.
• Autism Alliance of Canada: National umbrella organization coordinating autism services across Canada, including the Ready, Willing & Able employment initiative. CAN co-delivers RWA with Autism Alliance of Canada, making them direct delivery partners and partially overlapping in vocational autism services.

Broad incumbents

• Inclusion Canada: National disability-inclusion umbrella organization and RWA partner of CAN. Comparable in employment-focused disability inclusion work and national scope, though broader than autism-specific programming.
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities: National children's sports funding charity supporting access to sport for kids facing financial barriers. Comparable to CAN's mission of inclusive sports access for underserved populations, though not autism-specific.
• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Toronto-based pediatric rehabilitation hospital with autism programs including social skills, employment prep, and clinical services. Comparable as a broader autism/disability services provider, though with hospital infrastructure rather than community-only delivery.

Emerging players

• Special Olympics Canada: National sports organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, including many on the autism spectrum. Comparable to CAN's sports and recreation programs (hockey, swim, multisport) for similar populations, though broader in disability inclusion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/canucksautism
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CanucksAutism
• Facebookfacebook.com/CanucksAutismNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canucks-autism-network-can-
• Instagraminstagram.com/canucksautism

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canucks Autism Network