Credit Union Leadership Program

Canada Development Education (DE) offered September 14-19, 2025 in Halifax

As part of the Global DE Network, CanadaDE is a five-and-a-half-day leadership program that will renew and deepen your understanding and appreciation for the co-operative and credit union sector at the local, national, and international levels. This program is by and for credit union professionals who believe in harnessing the power of social, economic, and environmental transformation for the betterment of members and communities.

CanadaDE is a highly participatory and rewarding program that will build your professional knowledge and network on a local to global scale. Unlike most other professional development programs, the program is a team-based immersive experience. Participants spend intensive days together in rich content presentations and discussions on topics as varied as: the evolution of financial co-operatives in Canada and beyond; contemporary credit union issues; maximizing the advantages of purpose-led and values-based enterprise models; meaningful membership as a differentiator; long-term growth and viability; leadership on justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; tackling the climate crisis; the credit union's role in the wider co-operative economy; and so much more. The program pushes for positive change and provides frameworks to make sense of big-picture, complex issues. For example, CanadaDE integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) into the program; this is a unique opportunity to learn about the UN SDGs in the context of your credit union. 

Enhance your knowledge, become a stronger leader, and join an international network of pioneering leaders.

Course Content and Facilitation

The facilitation team includes seasoned professionals - Tracey Kliesch (Co-Director of DE; Central 1 Credit Union); Karen Miner (Saint Mary’s University; Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada); Erin Hancock (Saint Mary's University; iNova Credit Union). Plus, subject matter experts are included as content providers, and a team of mentors (from Canada and beyond) coach a team of participants through the program.

Who is the Audience for this Program?

Leave your "title" at the door during the program, but understand that CanadaDE is designed for individuals from the board level through to frontline staff, with participants coming predominately from Canada, Africa, the USA, and Caribbean countries. 

Part of the Global DE Network

While 2017 marked the launch of DE in Canada, the international network of programs has been going strong since the launch of the US program in the early 1980s. Active programs also exist in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The launch of CanadaDE demonstrates leadership by Saint Mary’s University to facilitate connections within Canada and among a diverse, international network.

Your Path Towards an International DE Designation

Register for CanadaDE 2025

• CanadaDE will be held September 14-19, 2025 in Halifax, NS, Canada. Register today! Registration is $4750 CAD plus 15% TAX and includes program fees, accommodation at a hotel within walking distance, meals and refreshments while the program is in session.

Bursaries Available 

We are offering bursaries of $1000 CAD (reducing registration to $3750 CAD plus 15% TAX) for emerging leaders and professionals from smaller credit unions to attend CanadaDE 2025. Please contact erin.hancock@smu.ca to take advantage of this opportunity! 

Contact Us 

For more information on the program, contact erin.hancock@smu.ca

Thanks to CaribDE

Our partnership with CaribDE was a catalyst in the creation of CanadaDE.

In the Media

• The Worldwide Credit Union Foundation hosted a webinar "What is the ICUDE" (March 2024) featuring program leaders from across the GlobalDE Network! Listen here!
• CanadaDE Director Karen Miner and the Coordinator for the GlobalDE Network Mike Reuter were interviewed (July 2023) during the World Credit Union Program on CU Broadcast. Listen here!