The not-for-profit organisation, which represented the market intelligence and survey research industry in Canada, announced last week that it would be winding down its operations over the coming month due to a lack of funds.

The move leaves the Canadian market research industry without a representative body for standards, best practice, ethics, advocacy or resolving disputes.

The interim working group, titled the MRIA Transition Taskforce, has been formed to represent individual researchers at companies of all sizes, including consultants, freelancers, academics, students and government researchers.

Its aim is not to rebuild the MRIA, but to function as “an interim leadership and communication team to facilitate a transition that reflects the needs of the membership”, according to a press release.

Led by freelance consultant and MRIA fellow Annie Pettit, Doug Anderson, principal at The Earnscliffe Strategy Group, and Jennifer Tilk, MA at CMRP, the group includes over 50 researchers.

The group aims to:

1. Find and share answers about the state of the MRIA, and transparently communicate all findings with the broader membership
2. Create a vision for a future organisation that will meet the needs of all industry participants
3. Create a leadership and strategic plan for transitioning to a new organisation
4. If necessary, facilitate building a new organisation or rebuilding MRIA

It will work alongside another group formed by seven leaders from large research suppliers who joined forces to focus on maintaining industry standards.