Nick Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace with the Canadian men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams.

The move comes in the wake of a letter from provincial and territorial soccer leaders asking Bontis to step down given the bitter labour dispute with both the Canadian teams. Bontis resigned during a board meeting Monday, Canada Soccer said.

鈥淐anada Soccer and both of our national team programs have the real potential to sign a historic collective bargaining agreement,鈥� Bontis said in a statement Monday. 鈥淥nce signed, it will be a landmark deal that will set our nation apart from virtually every other FIFA member association.

鈥淲hile I have been one of the biggest proponents of equalizing the competitive performance environment for our women鈥檚 national team, I will unfortunately not be leading this organization when it happens. I acknowledge that this moment requires change.鈥�

The labour impasse prompted the Canadian men to boycott a planned friendly against Panama in Vancouver last July. The Canadian women downed tools before the recent SheBelieves Cup, returning to the pitch under protest after Canada Soccer threatened legal action.

Bontis, who was elected president in November 2020 succeeding Steven Reed, said his resignation is effective immediately.

鈥淪erving as a volunteer for this organization, and witnessing the tremendous achievements we鈥檝e been able to accomplish together, has been some of the proudest moments of my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淥lympic success for our women鈥檚 national team. Genuine diversity on our board of directors, including our first ever female vice-president. Our first men鈥檚 FIFA World Cup goal at Qatar 2022. Winning the bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup at home.

鈥淚 know in my heart that there is more to come.鈥�

Away from Canada Soccer, Bontis is chair of strategic management at McMaster University鈥檚 DeGroote School of Business.

Bontis has been a member of Canada Soccer鈥檚 board of directors since 2012, serving in several different roles including vice-president and chair of the strategic management committee.

Bontis was said to be in transit Monday from Guatemala where he was named CONCACAF Council vice-president (North America) on Saturday at the 38th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress.

鈥擭eil Davidson, The Canadian Press