As we hear discourse on the economic impact of tariffs on the automobile steel, agricultural and clean energy sectors, and a growing number of businesses, the charitable sector continues to remain invisible in national planning. Canada’s non-profit sector is a major economic and social force that has contributed consistently to 8% of the GDP over 20 plus years. Additionally, nearly 1 million adults employed in the sector, whose salaries purchase goods and services within our communities, are requiring multiple full-time jobs to sustain themselves. However, the sector is not consistently engaged in provincial and national policy dialogue.
When there are sudden changes in the economy, non-profit organizations are the safety net that supports the Canadian people through healthcare, food security, mental health, education, arts, animal welfare, and the environment. 57% of nonprofit organizations state that they cannot meet the current demand for their services which causes a negative impact in the economy. Canadians who need these services are impacted by the cost of program and service provision, which increases due to the reduction of funding and lack of dialogue and support between the Canadian government and nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit organizations need visibility at the policy level to raise more awareness and assist in developing change through policy reform. Advocacy is crucial to raise awareness of the role of the sector in terms of overall contribution, through services, salaries, and meeting the needs of communities.
In a recent OP ED in Hilborn Charity eNews, the author Lois Graveline calls for collective action to raise the profile of the sector and bring awareness or contribution and encourage our involvement in the Economic and Social conversations in the Federal Government.
Read more on this topic from the OP ED in Hilborn Charity eNews https://hilborn-charityenews.ca/articles/op-ed-when-the-ground-shakes-charities-hold-the-line
This article was written by VWR’s Summer Student Olaitan