Our Governance

Palestinian Canadians set the direction of the Palestinian Canadian Congress (PCC) through a democratic process. A professional, accountable board carries that direction out.

PCC is built around two separate jobs: deciding what the organization stands for, and running it well. Elected representatives do the first. Appointed trustees do the second. Two independent bodies make sure the rules apply fairly to everyone.

_{Status: PCC’s governance is in transition. The model on this page is set out in new by-laws that take effect once they are formally adopted, as federal not-for-profit law requires. We will update this page as each step is completed.}

At a Glance

Read the left column from the bottom up: Palestinian Canadians register as electors, and electors elect the National Council. The Council then appoints the Board, which leads the work on the right.

Electors

Palestinian Canadians who register with PCC become electors. Electors choose the National Council. They also take part in policy conventions, where they debate and vote on resolutions that guide the Council.

National Council

The Council is PCC’s elected political body. It decides the organization’s positions and direction, guided by PCC’s Founding Principles. Councillors serve staggered terms, so the Council renews gradually rather than all at once.

Board of Trustees

The Board is PCC’s operational body and its board of directors under federal law. The Council appoints trustees from candidates vetted for skills and independence by the Elections and Qualifications Committee. The Board manages PCC’s operations, finances and staffing, and carries out the direction the Council sets. Trustees serve staggered terms and are not paid for serving as trustees.

Officers, Staff and Volunteers

The Board appoints PCC’s officers, including the chair of the Board, secretary, treasurer and executive director. Officers lead the day-to-day work with staff and volunteers, and report on PCC’s activities at every Council meeting.

Each body stays in its own lane. The Council does not direct operations or finances, and the Board does not set political positions.

Independent Umpires

Two independent bodies keep PCC’s elections, appointments and internal disputes fair. Both work at arm’s length from the Council, the Board and the officers.

Elections and Qualifications Committee

The Elections and Qualifications Committee (EQC) runs elections for the National Council and the process for appointing trustees. It also verifies that electors, councillors and trustees meet the qualifications set out in PCC’s by-laws.

Dispute Resolution Panel

The Panel is an impartial body with legal training that resolves disputes within the organization. These include questions about what the by-laws mean, where the Council’s authority ends and the Board’s begins, and how elections are run.

A member of either body can be removed before the end of their term only for cause, and only with the agreement of both the Council and the Board. Neither organ can remove an umpire on its own.

Principles and Safeguards

Everyone who takes part in PCC’s governance commits to its Founding Principles. Among them, PCC:

respects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and acts consistently with its values;
represents Palestinian Canadians of every faith, and does not adopt or promote any religious belief;
does not endorse or support any political party or faction in Palestine;
accepts the outcome of democratic decision-making, and values unity of purpose without requiring uniformity of views.

As a matter of policy, PCC also does not endorse or oppose any Canadian political party or candidate.

Staggered terms for councillors and trustees mean leadership changes gradually, which protects the organization’s continuity.

PCC is a federally incorporated not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Questions About Our Governance?

We welcome questions about how PCC is governed and how to take part.