After thirteen years on the Board of Directors and six years as Chair, John Cartwright is stepping down from his long-time leadership role at the Council of Canadians.
A carpenter by trade, John has been an active trade unionist for decades. He led the Building Trades Council and then the Toronto & York Region Labour Council until his retirement in 2021. He has been a member and supporter of the Council of Canadians from the beginning and was instrumental in the Water Watch campaign that successfully defeated the attempt to privatize Toronto’s $19 billion public water system. He has been deeply involved in the struggle for a just transition for workers as part of the climate movement at the national and global levels.
In 2019, John was elected Chair. He has helped lead the organization through the tough times of COVID, as the Council worked with other groups to demand a “Just Recovery for All” from provincial and federal politicians. Later, he convened a roundtable of national organizations, including labour, student, faith and civil society groups, to challenge the growing politics of hate and division.
More recently, as Donald Trump was rising to power, the Council worked with many other groups to change the political narrative in Canada to help stop the election of the Poilievre Conservatives. But the struggle to defend the public good continues as the Carney government embraces an austerity agenda.
The Council’s bylaws put time limits of six years on the board. These term limits are designed to ensure a healthy renewal of ideas, perspectives and leadership. In announcing his decision, John wishes to share the following message with Council members and supporters:
“I have supported the Council of Canadians since its founding and was always inspired by the leadership of Maude Barlow and the activism of grassroots members. As a crucial player in important struggles across the country, the Council has earned the loyalty of tens of thousands of Canadians. Today, we are a smaller organization, albeit one with a proud legacy stretching over four decades. As Donald Trump threatens our jobs and sovereignty, fighting for the Canada we want is as important as ever.
This year, we have gone through the difficult process of downsizing and also completed the hiring of a new Executive Director. Our finances are stabilized, and the reserves have been rebuilt thanks to everyone’s hard work and several major bequests. We are taking on new campaigns and initiatives. Given these developments, I feel comfortable in making the decision to step down to make room for new leadership.
I want to thank Council staff for their dedication and valuable work, as well as everyone who has served on the Board. And I remain grateful to the members and supporters who have continued to make the Council of Canadians a respected, urgent and important voice helping to shape a progressive vision for this country.”
The members, staff, and board of the Council of Canadians would like to thank John for all his years of service. Fighting for the benefit of all Canadians coast to coast to coast is never an easy undertaking, and John has put in more than his fair share of hours keeping that dream alive. We would also like to thank Diwa Marcelino for stepping into the role of interim Chair till our next AMM.
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