Who We Are

Governance Information

This is the national hierarchy. First the public, then chapters, regions, campaigners, and finally the Board of Directors

The Council of Canadians is a national organization that is grassroots in nature. It can be divided into sections in order to make it easier to make sense of the organization as a whole. 

  • The public opinion is always first and it is the main responsibility of the local Chapter to listen and take note. That is why it is free to join and give your input into how the broader public is made aware of social issues.
  • It is then the Chapters who help organize events within their city for the broader public. Chapters survive off individual donations, national funding, and partnering with other organizations. The Chapters then send a representative to the Annual General Meeting in order to vote on different bylaw changes and guide the organization.
  • There are four different regions throughout Canada, adding another step in support to the local chapters. Representatives from the local chapters have a Regional Meeting once every year in order to network with other Chapters and get a better idea where the National Organization is heading.
  • There are then campaigners for the main issues that the national office wishes to raise awareness of. Many of these are in the National Website’s Campaigns page as well. Many Chapters get their information and guidance from the campaigners as well as any informational literature that can in turn be handed out to the public.
  • Finally the Board of Directors is made up of individuals, like yourself, from all areas of the country. They look after all of the internal functions of the organization, from paying the staff, looking after the website, and handling other business matters of the organization.

Red Deer Chapter

  • Like the national office, the public always comes first. They are what guide the local Chapters; Chapters organize their events to the needs and interests of the local public.
  • Sub-committees look at different issues to see the best way to organize events and what issues need more awareness.
  • The steering committee is made up of individuals who meet on a monthly basis and generally make up the organizing part of the Chapter itself. It is made up of the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
  • The representative for the Chapter is usually, but not always, the Chair. They report back and stay in contact with the national and regional office. This is also the individual who goes to the Annual General Meeting and the Regional Meetings. The person who goes to these meetings may change from time to time, depending on availability and interest.

Our Mission

Bringing people together to take collective action and build grassroots community power as we work for a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With our members, supporters and chapter activists, we learn, organize and act together as we fight for clean water, fair trade, strengthened public health care, climate justice and democracy.

Council of Canadians National Organization

Since 1985, the Council of Canadians has been a home for people who believe a better Canada is not only possible, but necessary. The Council’s work has always been built on a strong foundation of timely and strategic campaigns for the values, social programs and progressive policies we all believe in.

Click here to read the full story of how we came to be.

Red Deer Chapter

Two hands clasped, with the arm ends fading to a wave like shape. There is a water drop with the recycling symbol in the middle

The Council of Canadians Red Deer chapter is part of a national grassroots organization of committed individuals that work towards a greater society for all people. There has been an unprecedented growth of inequality and we, as an organized group, want to stand up to our government and big business leaders to tell them it does not have to be that way.

We are here to educate and create awareness of the many different issues that effect all of us in the present and the future. Decades of market-based, corporate friendly policies have stripped working people of their rights, undermined universal social security, and placed the demands of big business over the rights of people. We promote fair trade over free trade, just and sustainable jobs, public health care and water, energy and food security and alternatives to corporate power, here in Canada and around the world.

Humanity is at a crossroads. Economic globalization and unregulated market capitalism have divided the world – and Canada – into rich and poor, and endangered the ability of the planet to sustain life. Tragically, most governments support an economic system that puts unlimited growth above the vital needs of people and the planet. The foundation of our work is the education and empowerment of people to fight for the values and policies we believe in. Our members, supporters, and network of over 70 activist chapters create a powerful voice for social and environmental justice. We work to hold governments accountable and challenge the unbalanced power of corporations, promoting positive social change in Canada and the world. We believe this path must be founded on a deep understanding of our place within life and nature. Humans are the only species that is capable of knowingly and profoundly altering the biosphere. This must inspire us to humility, not arrogance; to stewardship, not exploitation; and to social solidarity, not competition.