Government of Canada celebrates National Volunteer Week by launching Canada’s Volunteer Awards call for nominations
Press Release
April 8, 2019 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is committed to recognizing the significant contribution volunteers make to Canada. Canada’s Volunteer Awards is the time to say thank you to those who are committed to building stronger and more resilient communities. The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced today during National Volunteer Week that the call for nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards is now open and will run until June 21, 2019. This is the chance for all Canadians to nominate exceptional individuals, a not-for-profit organization that helps to find innovative solutions to social challenges, or a business or social enterprise that demonstrates social responsibility in its community.
This year, 21 awards will be presented during an award ceremony in April 2020. Recipients will also have a chance to give back; regional award recipients are eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a $5,000 grant, and the national award recipient is eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a $10,000 grant.
Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:
- one national award – Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Awardfor individuals who have volunteered for at least 20 years;
- five regional awards – Emerging Leader for young volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30;
- five regional awards – Community Leader for individuals or groups of volunteers;
- five regional awards – Business Leader to recognize businesses that demonstrate social responsibility in their practices, including promoting and facilitating volunteerism locally, regionally and nationally, as well as for-profit and not-for-profit social enterprises dedicated to creating social, cultural or environmental benefits for their communities; and
- five regional awards – Social Innovator to recognize the contributions of not-for-profit organizations, including not-for-profit social enterprises that find and use innovative approaches that address social challenges in their communities.
Quotes
“Volunteers are the heart of every community, and the least we can do is to let them know they make a difference. Canada’s Volunteer Awards provide the opportunity for Canadians to say thank you and recognize the hard work of volunteers. ”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Quick facts
- More than 15,000 volunteers share their time and skills to help others every day across Canada.
- Annually, almost 13 million Canadians aged 15 years and older give of their time, and almost twice as many (82%) give money to a charitable or not-for-profit organization.
- This year’s call for nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards is open from April 8 to June 21, 2019.
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Contacts
For media enquiries, please contact:
Valérie Glazer
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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