Founded in 1893 by Lady Ishbel Aberdeen
who we are
The Toronto and Area Council of Women (TACW) is a federation of organizations and friendly individuals. TACW, the first local council in Canada, was created at the second meeting of the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) in November 1893. Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, wife of the Governor General of Canada, wished to petition our three levels of government for aid in issues relating to women, families and society, such as unemployment. She believed local councils were an efficient way to monitor local issues and lobby for beneficial changes.
Our purpose
To offer a forum for education and discussion on current health, social, and political issues
To strive to influence all levels of government through letters, petitions, presentations and Resolutions
To provide an opportunity to meet others with similar interests
When and where do we meet?
Second Tuesday of the month, September to December, February to June, at 10 am to 12 noon
St. Andrew’s United Church, 3rd floor, 117 Bloor St. East (south side of Bloor between Church and Yonge Streets.), Toronto
Front wheelchair-accessible entrance at 117 Bloor Street East and rear wheelchair-accessible entrance at 54 Hayden St. Subway to Bloor and Yonge, or park at the Green “P” between Hayden (eastbound from Yonge) and Charles (westbound to Yonge)
LATEST UPDATES
Advocacy issues
The Toronto and Area Council of Women, a member of Social Planning Toronto, lobbies our local government with letters, petitions, and presentations on topics such as: free garbage pickup for charities and churches; pedestrian safety; reinstatement of the city’s Hardship Fund (financial aid for special health needs); and TTC as an essential service.
Our Council also has an opportunity to submit Resolutions (e.g. Reduction of sugar in drinks and processed food) to the Provincial and National Councils for consideration and ratification as policy.
At our March meeting we discuss the draft Resolutions of the Provincial and National Councils. We may support, request changes, or reject any Resolution. Among those we supported are: ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides to protect bees and our food; equal pay for women; regulation of electronic cigarettes; removal of chemicals from waste waters; and strengthening of the Endangered Species Act.
Resolutions ratified yearly by the Provincial and National Councils become Briefs to governments, and letters and presentations to ministers, committees and commissions.
local organizations/Groups in federation include:
American Women’s Club of Toronto
League of Ukrainian Women, Toronto Branch
Oakville and Area Study Group
Polish Alliance Friendly Society of Canada, Br. 1-7, Ladies’ Circle
Polish Canadian Women’s Federation, Br. 1
Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, North York
Toronto Home Economics Association
Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, Sophia Rusova, Toronto Branch
Victoria Women’s Association (VWA), Victoria University in the University of Toronto
Women’s Art Association of Canada
Young Women’s Christian Association of Toronto
☎ CONTACT
tacw1893@gmail.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS
December 9, 2025
~ Winter Break ~
February 10, 2026
March 10, 2026 - RESOLUTIONS MONTH
April 14, 2026 - TACW AGM
May 12, 2026
June 9, 2026
~ Summer Break ~