Voluntary Sector Roundtable

The Voluntary Sector Roundtable (VSR) began in 1995 to bring about collaboration within the voluntary sector on issues of common concern. It has given leadership to three major initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector’s capacity and its relationship with the federal government. These initiatives are:

The Panel on Accountability and Governance in the Voluntary Sector (1998)

The Panel on Accountability and Governance in the Voluntary Sector was established in October 1997 by the Voluntary Sector Roundtable. Its mandate was to review accountability practices within the voluntary sector, develop proposed guidelines and practices to promote accountability within the sector, and lead a broad consultation on these proposals.

Click here to view the Panel’s final report.


Working Together (1999)

Joint Tables, composed of government officials and leaders from the voluntary sector, were convened in March 1999 to address three primary issues: building a new relationship, strengthening capacity and improving the regulatory framework. The tables defined and prioritized issues, identified gaps in research and determined policy and program options.

Click here to view the final report from the Joint Tables.

Voluntary Sector Initative (2000-2005)

The Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) is a joint undertaking between the voluntary sector and the federal government in Canada. The initiative highlights the voluntary sector as one of the three pillars of Canadian society, equal in importance to the public and private sectors.

The long-term objective of the VSI is to strengthen the voluntary sector's capacity to meet the challenges of the future, and to enhance the relationship between the sector and the federal government and their ability to serve Canadians.

Announced in June 2000, the federal government will invest $94.6 million over five years in the following key areas: an Accord; information technology and information management; public awareness; capacity; financing; volunteerism; and regulatory issues.

Click here for more information in this initiative.