The federal government’s promised poverty reduction strategy must be more than a one-time commitment. It must provide for independent continuing appraisal and reappraisal of where we are and where we need to be, as the economy and society change. This paper proposes that the Government of Canada, as part of its poverty reduction strategy, put in place a new ‘institution’ provisionally called the Canadian Council on Inclusion and Wellbeing. The paper describes the reasons and the historical roots for such a Council. It then details a proposed structure and financing for the Council.