50 Years Looking Back, Looking Forward

We have demonstrated our collective pursuit to diagnose and empower those living gluten free across Canada through advocacy, education, research, and support – making a lasting different across Canada. As we mark the close of our first 50 years, we look forward to the next 50 years of accomplishment together.

Growing stronger together

Over our first 50 years, Celiac Canada (formerly Canadian Celiac Association) has built a strong and engaged community of chapters, regional groups, peer supporters, volunteers, committees, friends, donors and partners. Our 50^th is about honouring and renewing these connections.

We are reaching out to everyone who has touched or been touched by Celiac Canada – in any province across Canada or around the world.

Your stories shape our story. We want to collect, curate and add them to our reflections on 50 years of achievement of growth and transformation.

Our 50^th launched on February 11, 2023, in conjunction with the first official meeting of the organization at the Kitchener-Waterloo hospital. On a dark and stormy night on February 11, 1973, two women hosted the first-ever celiac patient group meeting at the Kitchener-Waterloo hospital.

Throughout 2023, we are celebrating with old friends and embracing new ones through a host of activities that include educational events, community celebrations, volunteer awards, food partner recognition, research and more that focus on what we do best: research, education, advocacy and community support.

We are further marking this occasion by releasing a landmark report on the “State of Celiac Disease in Canada” which will help us learn more about the state of celiac disease in Canada and how it’s changed in the past 20 years.