Government of Canada celebrates National Volunteer Week by launching Canada's Volunteer Awards call for nominations

GATINEAU, QC, April 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to recognizing the significant contribution volunteers make to Canada. Canada's Volunteer Awards complement other government activities that engage individuals at the community level to promote partnerships and leverage resources across sectors to address persistent social problems. 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 15, 2018. This is the chance for all Canadians to nominate an exceptional volunteer, a not-for-profit organization that helps to find innovative solutions to social challenges, or a business that demonstrates social responsibility in their community.

Canada's Volunteer Awards recipients are nominated by Canadians, for Canadians. This year, 21 awards will be presented at the December 5, 2018 award ceremony on International Volunteer Day. 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 Award, for 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; and
• Five regional awards – Social Innovator, to recognize the contributions of not-for-profit organizations.

Nominate a volunteer, a not-for-profit organization or a business today! For more information and to submit a nomination, visit Canada.ca/volunteer-awards.

Quotes

"Volunteers across the country give countless hours of their time and energy to strengthen our communities. I encourage all Canadians to consider the volunteers and organizations who are making a difference in their lives, and nominate them for Canada's Volunteer Awards."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• In 2016, Canada ranked fourth in the World Giving Index, which aims to provide insight into the scope and nature of giving around the world.
• 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 17, 2018 to June 15, 2018.

Related Products

Backgrounder: Canada's Volunteer Awards

Associated Links

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Guidelines for Nominations

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell, 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, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca