The voluntary sector in Canada is a broad and diverse sector that provides a vast array of programmes from funding health research, disease prevention and health programmes to serving those at risk, the aged, children and youth, protecting the environment to providing cultural programmes. The voluntary sector is essentially Canadians working with, and for, Canadians to ensure a healthy and vibrant country. 3 National voluntary organizations working in health include registered health charities, with approximately 300 at the national level. These organizations act as a key bridge at the national level between research and its application through knowledge transfer of information to researchers, health care professionals and the general public. Our recommendation, therefore, focuses on the implementation of the legislation.
Voluntary organizations working in health play a critical role in Canada s health system.
We applaud the government for playing its part and encourage the government to act on the recommendations in this Brief to ensure the continuance of a healthy and viable contribution from the sector. For several years now, poll after poll, support the view that health is the number one priority of Canadians. A 1998 poll indicated that the Canadian health system is the single most important characteristic distinguishing us from other countries. The voluntary sector is a broad and diverse sector providing a vast array of programmes and services to the people of Canada and abroad. Designing and implementing disease prevention and health promotion programmes, funding health research, serving those at risk, the aged, children, protecting the environment, providing cultural programmes are but a few examples of how the voluntary sector is engaged in Canada s social fabric.