Data on Giving, Volunteering and Participating in Canada

The volunteering landscape in Canada is constantly evolving. To better understand the habits and motivations of volunteers, Statistics Canada researches giving, volunteering and participating. 

Findings from 2018

• Volunteering Counts: Formal and informal contributions of Canadians in 2018:
  On June 14, 2021, Volunteer Canada was joined by Statistics Canada to hear highlights from their recent article based on data from the 2018 General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (GSS-GVP). 
  
  Download the Presentation   Watch the Recording
   
• Data: Volunteering Counts: Formal and informal contributions of Canadians in 2018 (Statistics Canada) 
  • Infographic: Volunteering by Canadians in 2018 
     
• Study: Volunteering in Canada: Challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic (Statistics Canada)

• Data Highlights: The Volunteering Lens of COVID-19: On June 26, 2020, Volunteer Canada and Statistics Canada explored insights on the latest data from the General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating on community engagement during the pandemic. Highlights from the recent Ipsos survey of volunteering during the pandemic were also shared. 
  
  Download the Presentation   Watch the Recording

Findings from 2013

• The Canadian volunteer landscape (report)
• The Canadian volunteer landscape (infographic)
• 2013 data tables from Statistics Canada
• Volunteer Canada’s media release outlining key findings from 2013
• Statistics Canada's report on Volunteering and charitable giving in Canada from 2015 based on data from 2013.
• Watch Volunteer Canada's President and CEO, Paula Speevak, comment on the latest data

Purpose

Statistics Canada's General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (GSS-GVP) is the most comprehensive study on giving and volunteering in Canada. 

Now conducted every five years, the data give insights into the state of volunteering, including formal and informal volunteering, where Canadians volunteer, the types of activities they’re involved in, their motivations to volunteer, and how workplaces support employee volunteering in Canada. This research also highlights differences in volunteer behaviour based on region and demographics.

For earlier data, visit:

• 2010 (Canada Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating - CSGVP)
• 2007 (CSGVP)
• 2004 (CSGVP)
• Highlights – Chronological index