The charitable sector is a critical part of life in Canada. In the year 2000 Canadians contributed $4.5 billion and gave over 1 billion hours of volunteer time to organizations they believed in. Through tax credits and other methods, governments have historically nurtured these activities – the heart of Canada’s charitable “third sector”.
Economic recessions hit charities harder than most. Not only do many organizations experience a decline in giving, but often demands for the services many groups provide increases dramatically. Something needs to be done. To complicate things further, the portion of the population responsible for the bulk of volunteerism and financial giving is in decline. What will happen to these public-good services and support programs if nothing is done?
Read President Michael Van Pelt's remarks on the civic core, and "Renewing Canada's Social Architecture."
A brief summary of what Cardus offers to support the civic core can be found in this two-page overview.
A sample of op-eds on the civic core
“Canada’s charities need a stimulus package, too”, Telegraph Journal
“Most of the giving done by few Canadians”, Calgary Herald
Cardus Policy in Public, Vol. 2 N. 4. 2009, “Exploring the Civic Core”
“Charity stands at Canada’s core”, Telegraph Journal
“Save our culture of giving”, National Post
“Canadian society needs silent partners”, National Post
Cardus federal budget submissions, on the civic core
The 2009, Cardus pre-budget submission (full)
The 2010, Cardus 29to42 pre-budget submission (full)
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"It is incumbent on those of us who make it our business to think through such things to imagine how the 'Big Society' agenda could provide opportunity and hope within a cultural arc where both seem to be in short supply."
—Ray Pennings
A transcription of proceedings from the Manning Centre Special Briefing, held June 10, 2011 in Ottawa. The papers served as the basis for initial presentations, followed by responses from panelists and questions from the floor. A joint project of Cardus, the Manning Centre, and the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada.
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