What's a Chapter?

Our volunteer Chapter activists work with local community groups, organized labour, and our members and staff to promote progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care and others issues of social and economic concern to Canadians. We defend public services and work to secure the right to water both in Canada and internationally.

Chapters form for a variety of reasons. Some come together because there is a local fight that needs addressing (see Whistler Chapter Fights the Stench of Privatization), some come together because they want to promote progressive activism in their community (see We Made a Splash on World Water Day). The chapter profiles highlight some of the reasons that chapters have formed and what they have been able to accomplish.

There is no “correct” way for a chapter to form but, there are some steps we need you to go through in the process. Download this Chapter Start Up brochure and read through the five steps. Then contact the regional office of the Council of Canadians and have a chat about the idea of starting a Chapter in your community. We will help you though the five steps and get your chapter up and active!

From there, a chapter which meets the Mandate of a Chapter, has the support and flexibility to work on local, provincial, national and international issues, participate in cross-Canada Days of Action and campaign activities, access funding, and join regional and annual meetings.

Mandate of a Chapter

The Council of Canadians’ Chapters shall, in addition to carrying out Council campaigns:

• Operate in a manner consistent with the participatory, democratic aims of the Council of Canadians as reflected in the Statement of Purpose and Guiding Values and Principles.
• Keep the regional offices of the Council informed of their activities on a regular basis.
• Engage with the community in local issues that reflect the values and principles of the Council and reflect the objectives of the national campaign strategy.
• Encourage broad participation in Council campaigns by Council members and the public through regular public meetings and events.
• Work to establish a presence in the community such that the Council is seen as taking a cooperative leadership role in the broader movement for social justice and democracy.