Australian Institute of Sport head swimming coach Pierre Lafontaine has quit the AIS to take over as CEO of Swimming Canada.

Lafontaine, head coach for the past two years at the Canberra-based squad, informed his swimmers on Saturday and is expected to return home to Canada later next month.

It will be the first time he has lived in his native Canada after 20 years of coaching internationally.

"The decision was a very difficult one but made one entirely on personal grounds," said Lafontaine.

"My time in Australia at the AIS has been the highlight of my career as a swim coach.

"There is no better environment in the world for an athlete or coach to reach their potential than the AIS."

His departure is a huge loss to Swimming Australia with CEO Glenn Tasker saying the team would miss Lafontaine's infectious enthusiasm and expertise.

"Pierre was a great asset to us and he did a fantastic job at the AIS," said Tasker.

"Their program last year went from strength to strength and they had an enormous trials (last week).

"One of the great things about Pierre is he is such a great motivator, not just to the athletes but the people around him."

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