Country map
Canada
Region
North America
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP, 2022)
15
Population (UNFPA, 2024)
39.1 milion
Total number of volunteers (ILO, 2018)
24,514,000
Direct volunteering (ILO, 2018)
22,708,000
Organization-based (ILO, 2018)
12,656,000

Volunteer statistics (ILO)*

Source: ILOSTATS. The data is collected by ILO from national statistical offices. As national statistics on volunteer work are produced using a variety of approaches and tools, direct and cross-country comparisons are not recommended. For more information, visit https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/volunteer-work/

Total volunteering by type

Total volunteering by age group

Total volunteering by gender

Direct volunteering by gender

Organization-based volunteering by gender

Measurement work

Data source

  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
    • Social Survey
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
    • Social Survey
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
    • Social Survey
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024

Laws, Policies, Schemes on Volunteering

Does the country have a piece of legislation on volunteering?

No data

Does the country have a national policy, scheme, plan or strategy specific to volunteering?

Yes

Name of specific policy, strategy or plan on volunteering at the national level. Year created Source link What are the relevant SDG areas/crosscutting themes of the policy, plan scheme or strategy?

Promotion of volunteerism CPS-025

 2008 View source

Does the country have a sectoral and cross-sectoral policy, scheme, plan or strategy that mentions volunteering?

No

VNR Reporting

Canada’s Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development National Review Voluntary

View source
SDG symbol SDG symbol

Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 93

Through the Office of Consumer Affairs, the Government of Canada supports consumer groups and NGOs to ensure they provide effective input into policy development through its Contributions Program for NonProfit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations, which has funded over 40 sustainable consumption- and production-related research projects since 2002

Paragraph 2, page 21

Beyond benefits for Canada’s seniors, the Government is also working to ensure that Canadians, particularly those with low income, are able to access the benefits to which they are entitled. Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax preparation clinics, where volunteers complete tax returns for Canadians with low income and a simple tax situation

Paragraph 3, page 43

Innovative Partnerships: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Adult Literacy Grants for Community-Based Organizations supports the coordination of one-to-one adult basic literacy tutoring for larger volunteer tutoring organizations. 

Paragraph 4, page 79

NewToBC operates the Library Champions Project, which is a volunteer outreach program for new immigrants. More than 1000 new immigrants have been trained as library champions, and these individuals have reached out to more than 63,000 other new immigrants. "

No mention

Canada's 2023 Voluntary National Review

View source
SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol

Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 24

Established in 2018, the Canada Service Corps program, promotes civic engagement among youth aged 15 to 30 by removing barriers to accessing service opportunities. The Program provides funding to nearly 100 organizations, primarily not-for-profit organizations and those serving Indigenous and under-served populations, to deliver volunteer service opportunities to youth volunteers. Participants gain skills and leadership experience while making a difference in their communities.

No mention
Got something to add?
Become an Editor