Jun 2018 Charity & NFP Law Update
In June 2018, the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector (“Committee”) continued its study on the impact of federal and provincial laws and policies on the charitable and not-for-profit sector through two meetings with witnesses held on June 4 and 11, 2018. The Committee also held an additional in camera meeting on June 18, 2018 to consider a draft agenda for future business. At the June 4th meeting, witnesses from Service Canada, Statistics Canada, Volunteer Canada, and various academics discussed issues related to volunteering. The witnesses presented findings from a number of studies and discussed topics including the demographics of volunteers, the development of a youth service program, the evolution of volunteering, and reasons people do or do not volunteer.
At the June 11th meeting, witnesses from various departments and agencies of the Government of Canada, such as Global Affairs Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, discussed the contribution of charities and non-profit organizations to government service delivery and policy consultation. The witnesses provided an overview of various government volunteer programs and other initiatives that engaged the volunteer sector, and discussed methods and issues in funding not-for-profits and alignment with the government’s priorities.