Issues and Policy
Volunteer Canada works on public policy issues in order to assure that the views and concerns of its members – and of all Canadians engaged in volunteerism – are front in centre in Parliament, in the public service, among political parties, and in the worlds of research and policy formation.
Our role is to act as a two-way bridge between people at the grass-roots who work in the voluntary sector and who are engaged in volunteering, and decision-makers and policy-makers. We prepare reports, presentations and tool-kits and do surveys and consultations. We want to make sure volunteerism gets due consideration in all policy discussions in Canada. We work to insure that governments and other public institutions are aware of the crucial role volunteering plays in our society and of the need to invest in volunteerism.
Current Hot Issues
- eVOLution Newsletter: April 2011 - The Debate Over Volunteer Tax Credits
- Elections 2011: Recognizing the Role of Volunteers in Building Democracy
- New Governor General Announces Volunteerism and Philanthropy as Pillar in Installation Speech
- Throne Speech recognizes volunteering
- Economic value of volunteering
- A tax break for volunteers?
- Tax Credit Incentives for Volunteer Participation: A White Paper Supporting the Policy
Research and resource materials
- Advocacy strategies
- Recognizing the Role of Volunteers in Building Democracy
- Volunteer and generational shift
- Volunteering, health and wellbeing
Presentations to Government
- Presentation to House of Commons Finance Committee - Volunteer Canada proposes a "Canadian Volunteer Support System" - October 28, 2009
- Presentation to Commons Finance Committee - July 22, 2009
- Statement to the Standing Committee on Finance Comments on Bill C-219, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer emergency service) - June 9, 2008
- Statement to the Special Senate Committee on Aging Comments on Recommendations to Facilitate Volunteerism - April 28, 2008
