Catholic Women's League of Canada CWL
The Catholic Women's' League of Canada (CWL) is a national organization of Canadian women rooted in Gospel values, calling its members to holiness through service to the People of God. It is the largest organized grassroots group of women in Canada. Approximately 100,000 women join in force to lobby the Federal and Provincial governments on issues of importance. The CWL was organized nationally on June 17th, 1923, and granted federal incorporation on December 12, 1923. The CWL is affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women's' Organization (W.U.C.W.O) which has consular status with agencies of the United Nations. It is officially recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as a national private association of the faithful.
Some policies of the League are to be politically non-partisan and to have membership and operation based on the parish unit; with diocesan, provincial, and national representational levels.
General Membership:
A Catholic woman 16 years of age or over may become a member, with voting privileges and with eligibility for office by election or appointment. OR, A Catholic woman 16 years of age or over may become a member, with voting privileges, but without eligibility for office by election or appointment.
Membership fees are collected at the local parish level. Contact CWL parish treasurer or organization chairperson. The fee at this time for the Prince George Diocesesan area is $25.00 ($8 for national: $5 for provincial: $12 for diocesan). The local council collects fees and forwards to national for distribution. Membership goes from January 1st to December 31st.
Some of the recent resolutions presented at National conventions are: Same-Sex partners, assisted suicide, protection of farmers rights to save seeds, Christmas postage stamps, ovarian cancer. Ongoing resolutions are Trafficking of women & children, quality end of life care, and many more.
To find more information on CWL, go to www.cwl.ca