INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

Voluntary sector groups touch virtually all aspects of our society from social justice, human rights, environment, health and faith to arts and culture, sports and recreation. They deliver services critical to Canadians, advocate for common causes, support economic and community development in Canada and worldwide, and raise funds.

The voluntary sector has also been instrumental in the development of most of the public services we rely on today as essential aspects of a caring society - schools, hospitals, assistance to the disadvantaged, and care for children in need. All of these began as voluntary initiatives. Today, both the public and voluntary sectors are involved in the delivery of these services.

Voluntary sector organizations bring their knowledge, expertise and compassion in working with communities and individuals to public policy debates and identify priorities to governments. By encouraging people to participate and work together for common causes, the sector strengthens citizen engagement, gives voice to the voiceless, allows for multiple perspectives to be heard on a variety of issues, and provides opportunities for people to practice the skills of democratic life.

The voluntary sector provides opportunities for millions of volunteers to contribute to the life of their communities. The term "volunteer" refers to all who work by choice, without remuneration, on causes or for people outside their personal sphere. People volunteer formally, through organizations, or informally by participating and helping others. Volunteering takes different forms in different cultures and different regions of the country. People work and volunteer in the voluntary sector because they are committed to making a difference and believe deeply in the work they are doing.

Aboriginal people have a special place in Canadian society, and the content of this framework agreement needs to be interpreted or applied differently to reflect their point of view.

Volunteers are involved in all three sectors⁵ but it is the voluntary sector that has been built by volunteers and continues to do the most to mobilize their efforts. The rich network of organizations, called the voluntary sector, helps make Canada the humane, caring and prosperous nation it is and is one of the strengths for which Canada is known around the world.

³The voluntary sector - also described as non-profit, third sector, non-governmental, community-based, and charitable sector.

⁴The public sector includes all levels of government - federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local.

⁵Paid staff also work in all three sectors. Many are represented by labour unions that also provide fora where employees can take part in activities of benefit to them, their organization or their community.

THE PARTIES TO THIS ACCORD

The Voluntary Sector

The voluntary sector is large, consisting of an estimated 180,000 non-profit organizations (of which 80,000 are registered as charities) and hundreds of thousands more volunteer groups that are not incorporated. In 2000, 6.5 million people volunteered their time to a voluntary sector organization and the sector employed a further 1.3 million people. This diverse multitude of organizations ranges from small community-based groups to large, national umbrella organizations and includes such organizations as neighbourhood associations, service clubs, advocacy coalitions, food banks, shelters, transition houses, symphonies and local sports clubs.

The Government of Canada

Almost every aspect of Canadian life is in some way affected by the Government of Canada. Every day, millions of Canadians rely on essential services provided by the Government of Canada including national security, peacekeeping, protection of rights and freedoms, protection of the environment, protection of the health of Canadians, maintenance of national parks and treasures, communication and technology development, transportation guidelines and services, and many more.

The Government of Canada also plays an important role in the development of Canadian and global economies. Further, it sustains relations with other countries. Finally, the Government of Canada makes laws and rules that apply to all and affect many aspects of Canadians' daily lives.

SCOPE OF THE ACCORD

The Accord also recognizes that many voluntary sector organizations do not work directly with the Government of Canada but are affected by the regulatory, economic and social context it shapes. It acknowledges that there are circumstances where the Government of Canada and voluntary sector organizations may advocate different courses of policy action or choose to tackle issues of common interest separately.

This Accord does not compel the Government of Canada and the voluntary sector to work together; rather, it outlines the values and principles that will govern the relationship when they choose to work together.

REASON FOR THE ACCORD - WHY AND WHY NOW

A number of factors have led to the development of this Accord:

• At the end of the millennium, globalization, an increasingly diverse population, new economic and social realities, and changing government roles resulted in increased pressure on the voluntary sector which in turn led the sector and the Government of Canada to search for better ways of working together and with others.

   

• The last decade also saw a greatly increased awareness of the voluntary sector and the contribution it makes to civil society in giving voice to citizens, identifying important and emerging issues, shaping policies and providing important services. The concept of the "voluntary sector as a sector" has been growing in the public consciousness and in the sector.

   

• Both the voluntary sector and the Government of Canada are large and diverse. It is important for each to know what to expect and to appreciate the roles, goals, and perspectives of the other.

   

• A number of provinces and other countries have seen benefits from setting out in writing the vision and expectations of the relationship between their governments and the voluntary sector. For example, in 1998, the development of Compacts between governments and the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom attracted worldwide interest.

THE PROCESS LEADING TO AN ACCORD

In 1999, the VSR released the final report of an independent panel of inquiry it commissioned in 1997 to study issues of accountability and governance in the voluntary sector. Known as the "Broadbent Panel", the report it prepared was called Building on Strength: Improving Governance and Accountability in Canada's Voluntary Sector. This report contained 41 recommendations for the voluntary sector and for governments that would strengthen the sector's ability to function effectively.

During this same period, the Government of Canada was also looking at its relationship with the voluntary sector. The Government recognized the need for a strong and vital voluntary sector if it was to meet its goal of improved quality of life for Canadians.

Following the release of the Broadbent Panel report, voluntary sector members and federal officials met in three groups, called "joint tables", to make recommendations on sector/government relationships, to strengthen the voluntary sector's capacity, and to improve regulations and legislation. They tabled a report in August 1999 called Working Together, containing 26 recommendations for action.

The 1999 Speech from the Throne reinforced the Government's commitment to build its relationship with the voluntary sector. This was followed in June 2000, with the Government of Canada's announcement of funding for the Voluntary Sector Initiative, which included the development of an Accord.

The Joint Accord Table was established with a mandate to develop an Accord, consult widely on it, and then develop and consult on measures required to put it into practice. The draft Accord was developed and broad consultations on its content and approach took place across Canada during the summer and fall of 2001. People from a wide range of voluntary sector organizations, and others with an interest in the sector, offered their views and advice on the proposed Accord and what it could mean for their organizations and their communities. Federal departments and agencies of the Government of Canada were also consulted. Labour unions, business entities, Aboriginal organizations, groups representing visible minorities, academic institutions and policy and research think tanks were also invited to provide their views. Many individuals also sent their comments.