On October 8, 2002, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that responsibility for the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) had been transferred to the Department of Canadian Heritage, including the appointment of the Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps as Minister Responsible for the Voluntary Sector.

Consequently, the Voluntary Sector Task Force (Privy Council Office), which had been the Government focal point for the Voluntary Sector for the past four years has ceased to operate as of January 31, 2003.

For more information, please visit the VSI Website at www.vsi-isbc.ca or contact Ms. Joan Katz, Director, Community Partnerships, Canadian Heritage at (613) 998-7122.