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Celiac Canada / Coeliaque Canada (“CCA”) is a volunteer-based, federally registered charitable organization with its national office in Mississauga, Ontario. It was founded in December 1973 with financial assistance from the Kaufman Foundation. The “Canadian Celiac 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. In 2023 the organization changed its name to Celiac Canada / Coeliaque Canada to reflect its transition away from a membership based model in 2020.
The initial objectives were to provide information on sources of gluten-free food, to foster research and to encourage mutual support among people with celiac disease. Today the association serves people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and dermatitis herpetiformis through affiliated chapters across Canada. The CCA is here to help individuals regain power over every aspect of their lives. With increased research incentives powered by our donors, community networking, and mutual support, we are regaining power over our disease, our bodies, and our lives. Celiac Canada provides a singular, reliable resource of information not only for Canadians living gluten free, but for their families and health care providers.
The CCA 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 independent charitable organizations each of which is governed by an elected executive committee.

Our Vision

Everyone in Canada diagnosed & empowered

Our Values

Empathy – Integrity – Adaptability

Empathy

CCA is a great listener, there’s nothing we can’t talk about. CCA is a kind shoulder to cry on, empathizing with people’s difficulties and stopping at nothing to come up with solutions so no one feels left out. CCA understands that each person faces different symptoms and challenges, which need thoughtful, relevant answers.

Integrity

Because CCA is full of sincerity, is always transparent and always tells the truth, people trust CCA with their lives. Fueled by ethical principles, CCA acts with the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. CCA accounts for every penny raised and makes every penny count to make life safe and healthy for those living gluten-free.

Adaptability

CCA can pivot on a dime, respond to change and come up with genius solutions. Always curious, always learning, always trying to get to the next level. CCA is a go-to hub, turning resources into solutions. We make magic with assets from fundraising, research, academia, partnerships and sponsorships, drawing on the public, medicine, industry, government and affiliate organizations to create solutions leading to a safe life for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, so we can all feel we belong.

Our Charitable Purposes

The purpose of Celiac Canada is to:
  1. To promote the health of people with celiac disease and other health conditions exacerbated by gluten, by providing them with access to related information, counselling or group support programs;

  2. To advance education by training medical practitioners, students, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists and other health service professionals to diagnose, treat and manage diseases and conditions exacerbated by gluten;

  3. To advance education by conducting and/or funding research into the causes and possible treatments of diseases and conditions exacerbated by gluten and making the results available to the public;

  4. To promote excellence in the agricultural and food processing industries in Canada for the benefit of the public by conducting and/or funding research on best practices related to the agricultural and food processing industries’ production, manufacturing, and distribution of safe and reliable gluten-free ingredients and products and by disseminating the results of the research to the public;

  5. To promote health by providing the public with training and information on gluten-free ingredient and product identification, and on how to prevent the cross contact of gluten-free ingredients and products;

  6. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of registered charities with charitable purposes similar to the Celiac Canada’s charitable purposes by providing expertise on planning, structuring, and improving charitable programs to better address the needs of beneficiaries, and

  7. To solicit, collect and receive gifts, bequests and donations of property, real or personal, and to distribute or lend such moneys, make grants or otherwise assist any societies, agencies or organizations, which are qualified donees under the Income Tax Act of Canada which engage in activities which further the objects of the Association.

Celiac Canada (CCA) acknowledges it is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee First Nations.
Learn more about Celiac Canada (CCA)

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