The Canadian Premier League’s mandate is simple: Grow the game across Canada, on all fronts.

And for CPL commissioner David Clanachan, a strong focus on local player development, and the building of clubs from coast-to-coast are key pillars to the league’s success.

With one eye on the 2026 World Cup, the CPL aims to afford more Canadian soccer players with the meaningful minutes they need to develop their games.

“The team owners were clear — this had to be about developing Canadians,” Clanachan told BBC Sport’s Matt Davis. “We put very serious handcuffs on what rosters could look like.”

Indeed, those rules focus on the net benefit to Canadian talents, as Clanachan affirmed that the league’s roster limitations will help drive that initiative.

A maximum of seven international players on rosters of 20-23 players and a minimum of six Canadians in each starting XI ensure those minutes will be afforded.

And young players won’t be left behind, either, as Clanachan outlined that each club must bring on three players 21 or under, and vet them with 1,000 combined minutes of play throughout the season.

“This is all about giving the young people a great chance, where they can see a light at the end of the tunnel and something to aspire to,” he explained.

Equally important for Clanachan is the development of a true soccer culture on both a business and a community level, where he hopes the sport becomes a part of regular public discourse.

“People want a local team to get behind, and that is part of a higher purpose: how do we develop the game, the soccer economy?,” Clanachan told BBC Sport.

“We are building an industry that has not existed here. We are building a movement. It’s a different way of building a sport through the community from the ground up.”

He continued: “One reason is the growth in broadcast — more people are watching on TV or streaming. But also the advent of EA Sports and their FIFA (video) games has helped the game reach new levels, across all different ages.”

The CPL is set to kick off on April 27 as Forge FC of Hamilton hosts York9 FC, who will bring a travelling throng of season ticket-holding supporters to Tim Hortons Field for free on opening day.

It’s a moment that will take the vision of CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and Canadian Soccer Business CEO Scott Mitchell and turn it into reality.

“Here we are, a little over four years later, ready to start the inaugural season,” Clanachan said. “It is eagerly anticipated.”