Canadian Injured Workers Alliance

The Canadian Injured Workers Alliance (CIWA), officially registered as THE CANADIAN INJURED WORKERS' ALLIANCE INC. / L'ALLIANCE CANADIENNE DES VICTIMES D'ACCIDENTS ET DE MALADIES DU TRAVAIL, is a national Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity dedicated to supporting injured workers and promoting occupational rehabilitation and workplace safety across Canada. It holds the business registration number 894262385RR0001.

History and Formation

CIWA was founded in 1990 by a group of injured workers and advocates, including notable co-founders Steve Mantis and Wolfgang Zimmermann. The impetus for the alliance came after organizing the "National Conference on Re-Employment of Injured Workers" in Ottawa in June 1990, where a resolution was passed to create a national network of injured worker organizations. This network aimed to collectively advocate for the rights and support of injured workers at provincial, territorial, and federal levels[3][4].

Mission and Objectives

CIWA’s overarching vision is to help injured and ill workers live their best lives by fostering a just system for compensation, rehabilitation, and re-employment. The organization focuses on several key objectives:

• Improving occupational health and safety standards for workers across Canada.

• Advocating for fair and equitable workers' compensation and rehabilitation systems in all provinces and territories.

• Providing a national forum for injured workers and their organizations to debate and share concerns through conferences and workshops.

• Gathering and disseminating information to empower injured workers and their advocates[3][1].

Activities and Services

CIWA functions as a national network that supports and strengthens local, provincial, and territorial injured workers groups by providing resources, training, and coordination assistance. The organization actively engages in advocacy, education, and policy development to improve outcomes for injured workers and ensure their concerns are represented at multiple levels of government[1][2].

Governance and Key People

The alliance is governed by a leadership team that includes prominent figures such as Leonard J. Crawford (President) and Bill Chedore (National Coordinator), alongside its founding members. Their combined efforts have helped sustain the organization’s role as a vital voice for injured workers across the country[3].

Charitable Status

CIWA is recognized as a registered charity by the Canada Revenue Agency, compliant with their regulations, and operates as a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and supporting injured and ill workers since its inception[5].

The Canadian Injured Workers Alliance remains a cornerstone organization in Canada’s labor and occupational health landscape, promoting the rights, rehabilitation, and safety of injured workers nationwide.