The Canadian Celiac Association

Mission | Aims | About the CCA

Mission

THE CANADIAN CELIAC ASSOCIATION is a national organization dedicated to providing services and support to persons with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis through programs of awareness, advocacy, education and research.

Aims

Celiacs in Canada are served by local chapters across the country, which united, form a national body called the Canadian Celiac Association. This Association is incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act and is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.

The purpose of the Canadian Celiac Association is to assist its affiliated chapters, and to represent their members’ needs on a National level which include:

• Increasing awareness of the disease among health care professionals and the public.
  
  
• Providing reliable and up-to-date information about the disease and the gluten-free diet. (newsletters, availability of gluten-free products, relevant literature)
  
  
• Consulting with government and the food and drug industries about gluten-free foods and other interests of the association.
  
  
• Encouraging research into celiac disease and through the establishment of the J.A. Campbell Research Fund.
  
  
• Reduced rates on conference registration.
  
  
• Reduced rates on the purchase of printed education materials.

About the C.C.A.

The Canadian Celiac Association / L'Association canadienne de la maladie coeliaque is a volunteer-based, federally registered charitable organization with its national office in Mississauga, Ontario. It was founded in 1972 with financial assistance from the Kaufman Foundation. The association was started by two women from Kitchener, Ontario, who, from personal experience with celiac disease, recognized vital needs of people suffering from the disease.

The initial objectives were to provide information on sources of gluten-free food, to foster research and to encourage mutual support among celiacs. Today the association serves people with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis through 28 affiliated chapters and 30 satellite groups across Canada.

The Canadian Celiac Association is governed by an elected national board of directors with regional representation across Canada. The Board develops policies and strategies for the association and provides leadership and guidance to chapters. Chapters are charitable organizations each of which is governed by an elected executive committee. The national office is staffed by two full-time employees.

The Canadian Celiac Association receives financial support through grants from Health Canada. The development of the celiac awareness campaign has been funded by The Trillium Foundation of Ontario. Dues and charitable donations are received from members and additional donations are provided by special supporters.

Providing information to persons with celiac dsease and dermatitis herpetiformis is still the primary goal of the association and is the first purpose listed in the constitution. Other major goals are assisting in the education and awareness of the general public and health professionals regarding these two diseases, encouraging medical research, advising manufacturers and distributors about gluten-free foods and acting as advocate for persons with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis to other organizations and government departments.