We Are Listening: A National Consultation with Women-Serving Organizations

For nearly 25 years, the Women’s Economic Council (WEC) has worked as connective tissue within Canada’s women-centred community economic development ecosystem—connecting frontline organizations, community knowledge, and public policy.

Today, we are taking a step back to listen.

As WEC looks toward its next chapter, we believe the organizations doing the work on the ground should help shape what comes next. That’s why we are launching a national consultation with women-serving organizations across Canada to better understand the realities, priorities, gaps, and opportunities facing the sector.

Listening directly to the frontlines

Through one-on-one conversations, we are inviting women-serving organizations to share their experiences, priorities, and perspectives with us. These 60-minute conversations are an opportunity to talk openly about what is working, what is missing, where organizations are facing pressure, and what role a national organization like WEC could meaningfully play.

We are particularly interested in hearing from organizations working in women’s economic empowerment, employment and skills training, newcomer and immigrant women’s services, poverty reduction, disability and inclusion, and grassroots community economic development.

Each conversation is an opportunity to learn—and to ensure that the voices of frontline organizations are reflected in WEC’s future strategic direction.

Building a national picture

Alongside these conversations, WEC is conducting a national survey of the women-serving community economic development ecosystem. The survey will help us broaden the conversation and identify common priorities, challenges, gaps, and opportunities across regions and communities.

Together, the 1:1 conversations and national survey will help us build a stronger understanding of what women-serving organizations need—not just from WEC, but from the broader ecosystem.

“We believe that those closest to the work need to be at the centre of shaping what comes next. Frontline organizations hold invaluable knowledge about the realities women face in their communities, and we want to make sure that knowledge informs WEC’s future. This consultation is about listening first, learning together, and building a national role that is genuinely useful to the sector.”
— Céline Godard Aron, CEO, Women’s Economic Council

We want to hear from you

If your organization works to advance women’s economic participation or supports women facing systemic barriers, we want to hear from you.

Your experience can help shape the future of a stronger, more connected, and more responsive women’s economic development ecosystem in Canada.

Are you in? Schedule a 1:1 conversation with us or learn more about the consultation.

Your voice matters. We are listening.