This document was produced in November 2000 for distribution to voluntary organizations across Canada.
Voluntary organizations are active in every facet of Canadian life.
They raise money for charity, run sports leagues, support the performing arts and deliver health and social services, among many other important activities. The voluntary sector comprises groups and organizations that are not part of the private sector or government. More than 7.5 million Canadians volunteer each year, and 1.3 million are employed by charitable organizations. Now, more than ever, voluntary organizations are under pressure to deliver a greater number of services and raise larger amounts of money to support their activities. Much of this is a result of government cutbacks and shifting responsibilities in the 1990s.