History and Background

The Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) is an association of Canada's business leaders committed to the shaping of sound public policy in Canada, North America and the world.

The non-partisan and not-for-profit organization was founded in 1976 as the Business Council on National Issues to enable public-spirited leaders from every region and every major industry to devote their time and energy to addressing key issues that affect the country as a whole. Strongly committed to effecting economic, social and political change, the Council has repeatedly broken new ground with its ideas and has played an influential role in most of the major policy developments in Canada over the past three decades.

The members of the Council include the chief executive officers of some 150 leading Canadian corporations and Canada's pre-eminent entrepreneurs. These companies administer C$4.5 trillion in assets, have annual revenues in excess of C$850 billion and account for a significant majority of Canada's private sector investment, exports, research and development, and training.

As Canada entered the 21st century, it became clear that "national issues" increasingly had global dimensions. Addressing the key challenges facing the country therefore required a much greater degree of global engagement on the part of Canadian chief executives.

In 2001, the Council decided to expand its mandate. Reflecting the need for a clearer identity worldwide, it also changed its name to the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.