The CAHA agreed to return to international play as of the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championships when professionals were allowed to participate. In October 1977, at a House of Commons and Senate committee studying Canada's role in international hockey, Bauer urged for a plan to be put into place for ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics to avoid setting up the country and players for embarrassment. Hockey Canada named Bauer to be the managing director of the Olympic team that was still restricted to amateurs.