Our Mission

The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) is a dynamic network of Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist congregations and individual members dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, social responsibility, and justice in Canada. Our mission is to dismantle barriers, promote equity, and support refugee sponsorships while nurturing a community committed to positively impacting the world.

About the Canadian Unitarian Council

Unitarians and Universalists (UUs) are united by values rather than belief in one set of creeds or dogma. Our values include acceptance of one another, compassion, a commitment to justice and equity, and dismantling systemic barriers to full inclusion. We believe in exploring the mysteries of life, we believe in ethical living, we believe in living out our values in this world by working for peace, justice, equity, democracy, inclusion and respect—for one another, as well as for the interdependent web of life, of which we are all a part.

In living out our commitment to justice and inclusion, our tradition has been at the forefront of welcoming people of all ages and abilities who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender-nonconforming. Nearly all our congregations are certified Welcoming Congregations, which intentionally welcome and embrace 2SLGBTQI+ people. 

We work for racial justice, truth, healing, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We welcome people from all racial, religious, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds and want to learn what you have to teach us from your background and experience. We are dismantling barriers to full inclusion and want to include you in our faith community, where shared values are more important than shared beliefs.

We believe it is not who or what you believe in that is important but how you live your life.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Growing into the Future 

Donations to the Growing into the Future fund fuel the CUC’s operating expenses. Your gift makes it possible to share our message of inclusive faith and fulfill our vision, which calls us to realize a world of interdependence, love, and justice and always respect the inherent worth and dignity of each individual.

Sharing Our Faith Fund

The Sharing Our Faith Fund is a yearly initiative where we collect and distribute funds to congregations with innovative growth plans. This program is pivotal in expanding our reach and impact across Canada.

Refugee Support Fund

The CUC, congregations, and community organizations have sponsored hundreds of refugees from countries like Eritrea, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, and Uganda to build new lives in Canada. The CUC also partners with organizations which focus on sponsoring 2SLGBTQI+ refugees.

Adult Leadership Fund: EB Ratcliffe

The EB Ratcliffe fund helps leaders and emerging leaders access leadership development opportunities to build capacity.

Youth and Young Adult Leadership Fund

Newly renamed the “Rev. Rodrigo Solano Quesnel Fund,” this fund supports youth and young adults by nurturing their leadership abilities. It was renamed in honor of a beloved minister who died tragically and suddenly in July 2023.

Justice and Equity Fund

Contributions to this fund power the CUC's work towards a just and equitable society. This includes sharing lessons from Indigenous Elders and Teachers, working with congregations and UU communities on justice and inclusion, and modelling attitudinal shifts. 

Our Commitment to Justice and Equity

At the CUC, we are deeply committed to dismantling barriers and promoting justice and equity in all areas of society. Our work includes:

• Refugee Sponsorship: We actively sponsor and support refugees, helping them find safety and build new lives in Canada. Can this be linked to the Refugee Support fund?
• Equity &  Justice Initiatives: We engage in various equity and justice initiatives, like reconciliation with Indigenous People, diversity and inclusion, and dismantling barriers to engagement.  
• Community Building: We strive to create inclusive communities that welcome and respect diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Get Involved

We are creating a more just and equitable world. Your support and involvement can make a significant difference. Let's work together to build a thriving, inclusive future.

To learn more or contribute, visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to meeting you and discussing how to collaborate to achieve our shared goals.