Social Movements and Interest Groups
Many groups find that their interests
are better advanced if they organize and act collectively. They undertake political
action or education in the hope of furthering their causes. For most of these
groups, political activity is just one facet of their work.
Some private individuals and companies act as professional lobbyists for other
groups or companies. Lobbyists try to exert influence on government decision
makers to ensure favourable laws and contract awards. Industry Canada provindes
information about lobbyist
registration, which tries to ensure lobbyists working with the federal level
of government behave according to certain standards.
Hillwatch provides useful lists of
hundreds of interest
groups and associations as well as think
tanks in Canada who try to influence poublic policy.
INTEREST GROUPS
Aboriginal Issues
- Aboriginal Youth Network
- Assembly of First Nations
- Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN)
- Innu Nation WWW Homepage
- Metis Nation of Canada
African Heritage
Business Issues
- Canadian Defence Preparedness Association
- Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
- Retail Council of Canada
Environment and Natural Resources
Labour
Peace
- Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
- Mines Action Canada
- Project Ploughshares: Canada's ecumenical peace coalition
Public Policy Groups
- Atlantic Institute for Market Studies
- Canada West Foundation
- The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
- C.D. Howe Institute
- Fraser Institute
- National Citizens' Coalition
Seniors
Sexual Orientation
Society
Student-run Groups
- Canadian Federation of Students
- National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
- Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Toronto branch
- Simon Fraser University Public Interest Research Group
Women
- Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW)
- Canadian Women's Business Network
- National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC)
- Real Women of Canada
- White Ribbon Campaign