Summary:

Although voting is a right and an obligation of citizenship, we understand the frustration some people have with voting in an election and feeling disappointed by the subsequent policy outcomes. Join with fellow average Canadian voters to advance your policy interests and create great outcomes for your personal or professional goals.

Experts: Our team of expert researchers undertakes the work and we ensure that your voice is heard. We also partner with other important think tanks.

A think tank is a not-for-profit research and education organization, and you don’t need prior experience with think tanks to join.

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission: To educate both the public and government for the benefit of Canadians.

Vision: To become one of Canada's most influential think tanks, with the largest membership.

Slogan: Citizens join to secure their future.

Values: Courage, Wisdom, Solutions, Collaboration, Integrity, Determination.

Empowering Your Voice in Policy Making

Join Us So Your Policy Interests and Concerns Are Finally Heeded by Government.

At Opportunities for Canadians Institute (OCI), we stand at the forefront of advocacy and policy research, dedicated to ensuring that the voices of ordinary Canadians resonate within the halls of power. We are a grassroots, independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit membership-based think tank rooted in the heart of the nation's capital, committed to defending your interests and concerns before the government.

OCI is your platform to influence change. Together, we can ensure that our government's policies reflect the true needs and aspirations of its people.

Join us and let’s ensure policies reflect your priorities and values.

Our Purpose

The main thrust of OCI is cutting edge research, the bonus is our Members Services, which can help you advance your personal and professional goals. We’re committed to evidence-based research across different areas, such as:

• Employment Income: Fair wages and job opportunities for all Canadians.
• Housing Costs: Affordable ownership and rental options.
• Family Development: Programs that support Canadian families.

Research areas of interest:

We tackle issues both complex and urgent, including:

• Improved defence/security
• Improved foreign affairs
• Improved healthcare
• More/improved education
• More/improved corporations
• More/improved nonprofits
• Improved infrastructure

• Improved environment
• More/improved families
• Less/improved immigration
• Improved economy/trade
• More/improved technologies
• Improved society
• Improved democracy/government

Research priorities:

While our full research agenda is member-exclusive, public priorities include:

• Prioritize Canadian workers income, housing, healthcare etc.
• Better solutions and alignment with our allies on opposing our rivals
• Technological advancement to better our economic environment
• Improving dating and fertility rates to grow families
• Subjects of public policy research interest selected by our members!
• Subjects jointly decided on with other motivated think tanks we build alliances with

Our Approach

• Evidence-Based Research: We analyze policy outcomes to make sure they reflect the needs of Canadians.

• Engagement: Our location near Parliament allows us to interact directly with officials, stakeholders, and communities.

• Our Members: Our members play a crucial role in the dialogue, bringing diverse perspectives and voices to the table.

• Facilitating Networking: We help our members match with other members as well as potential employers, employees, contractors and mentors. As a startup non-profit, we are just beginning our networking services.

Five key challenges we're actively addressing with reasonable solutions.

Taboo Subjects

We tackle sensitive issues other think tanks shy away from — doing the heavy lifting on your behalf. You can support our efforts simply by joining or donating.

Free Riders

To address the free rider problem, where many Canadians benefit from our research and dissemination without being current members or supporters, we:

• Appeal to altruism

• Reward contributions (e.g. letters of recommendation for volunteers)

• Are expanding Member Services, we’ve introduced a growing range of Members Services for those who join. For more information, visit the Become A Member page, and explore our Members Only section after joining.

Sharing Our Plans - Involving Your Ideas

If they even have members, most think tanks don’t include member input to the extent we do.

OCI shares future plans and programs with engaged volunteers, donors, and members.

We do surveys and take member votes on upcoming research projects.

The more involved members become, the more interesting it becomes for them.

The first 1000 members receive priority communication about events, surveys, and leadership roles.

Membership Value

Our levels are affordable and offer real opportunities for mentorship, networking, and influence. While outcomes aren’t guaranteed, active members can leverage OCI for both civic and personal goals. Feedback is always welcome.

Seeking Early Adopters

Voting alone isn’t enough to drive policy changes that reflect underrepresented interests. We invite early adopters — average voters who want more than electoral outcomes. Support our research to both drive public change and pursue your own professional growth.