Canada Nonprofit Appreciation Day

AI summary

Petitioners say Canada’s nonprofit sector includes more than 170,000 organizations, contributes about 8.2% of GDP, employs 2.7 million people, and involves 13 million volunteers while delivering services across health, housing, arts and other areas. They say the sector is trusted, eases pressure on public systems, and is facing rising demand and declining donation rates. The petition calls on the House of Commons to officially recognize the third Thursday of February as the Canada Day of Appreciation for the Nonprofit Sector.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons Canada is home to one of the largest nonprofit sectors in the world with more than 170,000 organizations that work alongside governments to transform lives, strengthen social infrastructure, and build a better future for Canadians; Canada’s nonprofit sector is an "economic powerhouse" contributing 8.2% to the national GDP – an estimated $225 billion – and is a top 10 employer in Canada with 2.7 million staff and 13 million volunteers. Nonprofits stimulate economies by attracting investment and funding, thereby creating jobs; The nonprofit sector fosters innovation through social entrepreneurship and collaborates and partners with the business sector; Charities and nonprofits are widely trusted by Canadians, and are the delivery engine for services vital to the well-being of communities; Nonprofits ease pressure on public systems by providing essential services and delivering an exceptional return on investment; Nonprofit organizations enrich the quality of life in every riding through programs that promote food security, shelter, housing, mental and physical health, the environment, arts and culture, sports and recreation, child development, senior care and more; During these turbulent times, the Sector is navigating monumental change: increasing demand for services, and decrease in the donation rate; The time has come to recognize those individuals who enrich our communities. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to officially recognize the third Thursday of February as the Canada Day of Appreciation for the Nonprofit Sector to celebrate the people and organizations that drive economic and social change, and build the social infrastructure to ensure the well being and vitality of communities across Canada.

Government response

No government response is available yet.