About Us

The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) was founded on October 27, 1893, at a public meeting in Toronto, chaired by Lady Aberdeen, wife of the Governor-General of Canada and attended by 1500 women. A Coat of Arms was granted to NCWC in 1993 as part of its Centennial celebrations. The National Council of Women of Canada was designated by the Government of Canada as being of historical signifigance for its role in Canadian women's history. In August of 2005 Parks Canada and the Historical Site and Monuments Board of Canada installed a National Historic Site commemorative plaque in the Allen Gardens, in Toronto, where the founding meeting of the National Council of Women of Canada was held on October 27th, 1893.

Today there are Local Councils of Women and Study Groups in 20 Canadian cities and Provincial Councils of Women in 5 Canadian provinces, along with 27 National Organizations affiliated with NCWC.

NCWC is a member of the International Council of Women, which represents the National Councils of Women in more than 70 countries, and of the Regional Council of the Americas, which represents National Councils of Women in the Western Hemisphere. NCWC has accreditation with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

NCWC has met formally with the members of the federal Cabinet since 1924. Usually the meetings take place between members of Parliament or senior government officials and members of the Board of Directors of NCWC. An annual Brief is prepared, based on approved Resolutions, and presented to government and members of the Opposition Parties. Our policies are developed through a grass roots process of consultation and debate.

To see excerpts from The Splendid Vision, a Centennial History of the National Council of Women of Canada, click here. These excerpts are interesting stories of early Council history, and will be changed regularly.

Our Vision:

A vibrant, pro-active, credible Council of Women reflecting the diversity of society, encouraging informed political decision making and public attitudes for the well being of society, through research, education, consultation and cooperation.

Our Mission Statement:

To empower all women to work together towards improving the quality of life for women, families, and society through a forum of member organizations and individuals.

We Work:

To improve conditions of life for women, families and communities

We Invite:

National organizations and individual women with similar goals to join NCWC and local organizations and individual women to join a Local or Provincial Council of Women.