Ottawa - Volunteer Canada recognizes the contribution that millions of volunteers, who offer their time and expertise across the country, make to our lives; however, the government’s second Speech from the Throne failed to mention the essential role that volunteers play in our country and our communities.

“Once again, we note that our government does not fully appreciate the need for a strong federal presence in the delivery of volunteer services,” says Ruth MacKeznie, president of Volunteer Canada. “A federal investment at the national level to promote and support volunteering is critical to the sustainability of our communities. The 12 million Canadians who contribute almost 2 billion volunteer hours of their time each year to volunteer activities would agree.”

Volunteers make a rich and diverse contribution to Canadian society and an enormous investment in the country’s social environment and economic well being. They are fundamental to our identity as Canadians.

“Think for a moment how volunteers have impacted your life in the past 24 hours alone: have you participated in organized sports? Used a community health centre? Visited a library, museum or arts centre? Participated in an election campaign? The list is endless,” notes Barney Ellis-Perry, Chair of Volunteer Canada’s Board of Directors. “The decisions made by government today will determine whether we continue to enjoy the benefits of millions of volunteers working to make society better for all of us in the future.”

Since 1977, Volunteer Canada has provided national leadership to front-line voluntary organizations and continues to develop standards and benchmarks that allow these organizations to respond to changes in volunteering. This leadership also means we avoid situations where we reinvent the wheel, and instead, allow front-line organizations to focus entirely on their own missions and mandates – providing quality direct service to Canadians.

As Government continues to rely on volunteers and the voluntary sector to deliver essential services and maintain the social fabric, it has a responsibility to the sector and to Canadian volunteers to promote and encourage leadership in volunteerism in Canada.

Volunteer Canada is best positioned to provide this leadership.

 

 

About Volunteer Canada

Volunteer Canada is the national voice for volunteerism in Canada. Since 1977, the organization has been committed to increasing and supporting volunteerism and civic participation through ongoing programs, special projects and national initiatives, by developing resources and by engaging in research and training across the country. Working with volunteer centres, community and national organizations and businesses, Volunteer Canada actively leads national dialogues on how volunteerism is related to citizen engagement and civil society and provides leadership on issues and trends in the Canadian volunteer movement. To learn more about Volunteer Canada, please visit volunteer.ca.

 

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