Founding of the Cult Information Center, an association of volunteers aimed at raising awareness of cultic phenomena.

Under the initiative of the Montreal section of the Hillel association (a Jewish student organization that is active on several university and college campuses), conferences are organized in order to sensitize students and the population to cultic phenomena. Interest generated by these conferences, combined with the expressed needs of the community, led a small group of people (notably Mike Kropveld, Leonard Lazarus and Patrick Quincy) to consider setting up a permanent resource center on cults. Recognizing the relevance of such a project, leaders of the Hillel organization applied for a grant from the Jewish community of Montreal in order to develop this resource center more concretely.

Under the auspices of the B’nai Brith Hillel Foundation of Montreal (a student association), the Cult Project was born. Subsidized by the Jewish Community Services of Montreal as well as by private donations, this non-profit education and resource center on cults offers a public and non-denominational service to the entire population.

Its objectives are to:

• Develop a bilingual information and documentation center on cultic groups and phenomena that is open to the public;
• Support families, relatives and former members of groups;
• Offer information and awareness sessions on cultic phenomena in Montreal and surrounding area.

During its first ten years of existence, three people have been employed by the Cult Project (two with the help of government grants) and are responsible for a number of research projects. Various prevention and awareness programs about cults and “mental manipulation” techniques are presented in high schools, CEGEPs, universities, community centers and professional associations in Montreal and its surroundings.

The Cult Project publishes a research report entitled Les sectes dans le milieu francophone à Montréal.

In collaboration with the Cult Project, a ten-part course entitled Coping with Cults is offered to high schools. Produced by the Jewish Education Council of Montreal and developed by Sylvia Stipelman, the program won the William Haber Prize.

The Cult Project publishes two research reports:

Non-profit and charitable solicitation in Canada: A Review of Techniques and Ethical Considerations (funded by a grant from by Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada)

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Les difficultés reliées à la consommation rencontrées par les consommateurs dans certains nouveaux mouvements religieux et para-religieux de la Province de Québec (funded by a grant from the Quebec Consumer Protection Office).

The Cult Project publishes a report on cultism in France which is subsidized in part by the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse.

To commemorate the victims of the Johnstown tragedy, the Cult Project undertakes an awareness campaign in Montreal, from November 14 to 18.

Now located in new offices (on Park Avenue, Montreal), The Cult Project becomes Info-Cult, an independent, bilingual and non-denominational organization which is governed by a board of directors composed of legal, education, mental health, counseling and business professionals.

The mission of Info-Cult is also updated to reflect its growth over the last 10 years:

"In order to promote the dignity and integrity of the person, with respect for individual and collective rights, freedom of thought and expression, and the right to information, Info-Cult’s objects are the following:

• Promote the study of cultic phenomena;
• Raise awareness, inform and educate the population about these phenomena;
• Assist people experiencing difficulties related to these phenomena”.

A media campaign is organized to sensitize the Quebec population on cultic phenomenon. In collaboration with Info-Cult, an information brochure entitled Are you vulnerable? is published and distributed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“In recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada”, Mike Kropveld (founder of Info-Cult) receives the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal from the Government of Canada.

Following a number of testimonies, Info-Cult makes public the case of the Médecins du Ciel, channeler healers. Certain steps taken by Info-Cult contribute to the filing of a complaint to the College of Physicians of Quebec for the illegal practice of medicine leading to healers being fined.

Release of the documentary, Au-delà des mirages which will be followed in 1994 by the release of the English version, Beyond the Mirage. Directed by Jorge Martinez and produced by Info-Cult, this documentary aims to make young people more aware of cultic phenomena. It is used in Canada and the United States for educational purposes.

Info-Cult submits a report as part of a Parliamentary Commission of the Quebec government on alternative therapies.

Equipped with a larger space, Info-Cult takes another step in promoting its documentation center.

The staff of Info-Cult reflects on the concept of “cultic thinking”. This terminology is now used by Info-Cult to take into account individual behavior and group dynamics, but is not used as criteria for distinguishing groups that may represent a potential risk to its members.

Info-Cult enters cyberspace and launches the first version of its bilingual website, which becomes a source of references on cultic phenomena and how groups function.

Publication of the book, Le phénomène des sectes : l’étude du fonctionnement des groupes (by Mike Kropveld and Marie-Andrée Pelland). This book was made possible thanks to a grant from the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l’Immigration du Québec.

Info-Cult celebrates its 25th anniversary of service to the community and produces, for the occasion, a commemorative booklet including tributes.

With the help of Canadian Heritage, Info-Cult publishes The Cult Phenomenon: How Groups Function (by Mike Kropveld and Marie-Andrée Pelland) an update of the French version of the book published in 2003 by the same authors.

"In recognition of his leadership in the effort to preserve and protect individual liberties", Info-Cult's Executive Director, Mike Kropveld, is the recipient of the Herbert L. Rosedale Award from the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA).

In collaboration with two Montreal organizations (the Association Plaidoyer-Victimes and the CINR – now CEINR), Info-Cult organizes a two-day conference at the Université de Montréal entitled: Du croire à l’extrême et des pratiques sectaires: prendre en compte et intervenir.

Info-Cult is called upon to respond to questions and concerns relating to the “end of the world” or the end of the Mayan calendar (December 21, 2012).

During the summer, Info-Cult hosts ICSA’s international conference in Montreal.

In response to the needs expressed by former members, Info-Cult starts a support group in French which is facilitated by professionals offering their services on a voluntary basis.

A complementary name is added: Center for Assistance and for the Study of Cultic Phenomena.

Info-Cult celebrates its 40th anniversary and organizes an international congress in collaboration with ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) to be held in Montreal. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was presented online the following year.

A second support group in English for former members is started.

A support group is started for families and loved ones

Info-Cult launches its new website and creates the Dianne Casoni Award.