RALPH NADER AND WPIRG

When Ralph Nader spoke at University of Waterloo in October 1972, he urged students to form a system of autonomous consumer research groups to fight against corporate “crimes of violence”. He suggested that such a group should act as a bridge between community and university to provide social criticism, research, and an alternative forum for organizing. Students heeded his call, forming the first Canadian public interest organization, called Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Waterloo. Later called the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group, it grew from a consumer advocacy organization to a well-known and respected student-funded and directed research and action group.

As a result of Nader’s close involvement with WPIRG’s founding, he has been a recurrent and popular visitor to the university, often appearing at WPIRG anniversary celebrations and rallying student power around the important political issues of the moment.

Ralph Nader is best known as the 2000 Green Party presidential candidate in the U.S. elections, and is an influential political activist, author, lecturer, and attorney; for decades he was an advocate of consumer protection, environmentalism, and government reform causes among others.

Flyer ad of Ralph Nader’s 1989 visit for WPIRG’s 16th Anniversary celebrations

Ralph Nader, 1990

“You return something to the community by helping to solve the problems which face us all. Students must use their abilities and assets to ask questions.”

Ralph Nader, UW, 1972

“Citizen Action for the 90’s” - March 7, 1990 Ralph Nader Talk

Excerpt of 1989 Anniversary Write-up