Call to Arms for the Non-Profit and Charitable Sector

The Canadian charitable sector employs about two million people and is responsible for more than seven per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), but it has no ‘home’ in the federal government championing its interests or furthering policies, regulations and legislation to support innovation or strategic growth in the sector to meet the growing needs of Canadians.

Juniper Locilento, director of development for Community Food Centres Canada and VP, Public Affairs for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter, agrees.

“If one considers other sectors such as small business, there would be policy initiatives and programs to foster growth, but there isn’t anything comparable for the charitable sector – no plan on how to help strengthen it or help it innovate,” she says, adding that many people are surprised to learn the size and scope of Canada’s non-profit and charitable sector.

But that could change if the recommendations of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector’s recently released report are implemented.

“To continue its good work, the sector needs meaningful law and policy reform, as well as a renewed relationship with the federal government,” according to the report.

As one of 42 recommendations in the June 2019 report, Catalyst for Change: A roadmap to a stronger charitable sector, the committee recommends the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development create a secretariat to convene meetings with appropriate groups and publish an annual report on the state of the sector including an overview of its economic and social health.

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