Opinion: Building Canada's volunteer sector before the next wildfire erupts

Volunteers lay out food for wildfire evacuees outside the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre in Penticton. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG

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During wildfires, floods and other emergencies, Canadians want to help. We depend on each other in so many ways: donations of money and clothing, checking on seniors, supporting evacuees or co-ordinating local responses. Without volunteers, the system would be as effective as sandbags without sand.

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Here’s the problem: Volunteer rates are falling across the country. Formal volunteer rates across Canada dropped from 41 per cent in 2018 to 32 per cent in 2023 — or a total of 1.2 billion volunteer hours. That scale of loss weakens the safety net of human generosity we prize and rely upon each and every day.

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This spirit of contribution reflects the conversations we have been having with Canadians of all stripes. We think it’s time that Canada unleashed the full power and potential of its volunteer capacity to improve Canada’s economy and strengthen our country.

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In the past year or so, the federal government has announced bold programs such as a nation-building infrastructure plan. Not only do these support individual projects, but they are also designed to support the entire supply chain of businesses and jobs required to build big things like ports, pipelines and power plants.

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Two years ago, the federal government funded Volunteer Canada to consult from coast to coast to coast and develop a national volunteer action strategy. What we learned in our many discussions is that — much like how we build major infrastructure — our society can thrive using a “whole-community” approach for civil engagement and volunteering that includes all members of our communities.

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As Prime Minister Mark Carney might say, it is about investing in the full value chain of our national fabric.

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The volunteer sector is a “force multiplier” that supports a range of Canadian economic activity to the tune of $40 billion to $50 billion a year.

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But it is also faces increased demand, declining capacity, and financial instability occurring simultaneously. Almost three-quarters of charities (72 per cent) report they are struggling to meet increased demand, while more than half of charities say they are losing volunteers and struggling to attract new ones.

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This is not a failure of Canadian generosity. We know people across our country want to invest their time and expertise. We are seeing it in real time. But the world has changed in recent years. We are still feeling the aftermath of COVID’s impacts. Families are working harder and struggling to manage rising expenses.

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And too often the systems required to foster our volunteering spirit are fragmented, temporary, inaccessible or underfunded. In short, Canadian volunteering has its own infrastructure problem.

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All of us, including the federal government, must build an entire ecosystem of supports and opportunities that enables every Canadian to give back to their communities and reap the many rewards of doing so.