Formation | 1985 |
---|---|
Type | citizen's organization based in Canada |
Legal status | active |
Purpose | advocate and public voice, educator and network |
Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Region served
|
Canada |
Official language
|
English, French |
Chair
|
Maude Barlow |
Website | Council of Canadians official website |
The Council of Canadians non-profit environmental activist group with left-leaning principles that advocates for clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care, and a vibrant democracy. The organization is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario with regional offices in Halifax, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver and a network of local chapters across the country.
While primarily focused on national issues, the Council of Canadians also does international work through its Blue Planet Project, which focuses on the implementation of the human right to water and sanitation.
The Council of Canadians was founded in 1985 in the lead up to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and North American Free Trade Agreement. The Council later expanded its focus to include campaigns on health care, water, public pensions, corporate influence, and energy.
The Council was created by Mel Hurtig. The founding members included Margaret Atwood, David Suzuki, Farley Mowat, Pierre Berton, Margaret Laurence, several politicians and other prominent Canadians. The Council of Canadians is currently chaired by Maude Barlow, who is best known internationally for her work on water-related issues.
In 2012, $202,000 was transferred from the Council of Canadians to the Maude Barlow Social Justice Fund Account.
The Council publishes a magazine called Canadian Perspectives, which is published twice a year.
For the 2011-2012 fiscal year the Council received 92 percent of its funding from members and supporters who gave an average of $54.59. An additional seven percent of the annual budget came from foundation grants.