ONN - Government Sector Table
Through our connection at the Counterparts Meeting 2008 hosted by the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks, ONN had the opportunity to meet with our colleagues from the Ministry of Citizenship and other provincial ministries. We discussed what was happening in other regions of Canada and quickly identified that Ontario was way behind in its own organizing and in its relationship with government.
As yet, there is no process or table where leaders from the nonprofit (public benefit sector) can raise issues of concern to the sector at large. Perhaps naively, leadership from ONN thought it would be good to explore why this is so and what can be done about it. After many months of coordinating, there will be a very initial meeting between government folks and ONN folks in late March to simply have a conversation about whether and how we might have a such a regular dialogue. In other words, we are coming together to discuss whether there should be a 'sector table' in Ontario and how it might work.
Many words of warning! ONN is very aware of, and attempting to learn from, the many experiences that the sector has had in the past in building a relationship with government. We are keenly aware of previous efforts in Ontario and of the work that was done by the national Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI). ONN is particularly focused on going into this conversation with eyes wide open and an ear to the ground.
Current participants include:
Brian Beattie - Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Lipa Roth - Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Sandy Houston - Metcalf Foundation
Tonya Surman - CSI
Jini Stolk - Creative Trust
Lynn Eakin- Metcalf Foundation Fellow
Rob Howarth - Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
Newfoundland's profitable lesson on non-profits. What do we want in Ontario?
In today's Toronto Star, Carol Goar has written a great article describing the development of a formal between Newfoundland's nonprofit sector and its provincial government. What would you like to see here in Ontario?
ONN's Disbursement Quote Letter to Minister Flaherty
ONN wrote Minister Flaherty in support of Imagine Canada's request to end the current disbursement quota for Charities. We stated that Ontario charities are willing to participate in the design of more effective measures to ensure charities do not inappropriately accumulate funds. Please see attached letter.
Nonprofit Awareness Campaign Launched in Alberta
Posted June 17th, 2009 by ConstanceJason Cote who attended our forum sent me the email below this morning. Very timely given our discussion about the sector's lack of cohesion.
Constance
Colleagues:
In today's edition of the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald, there appeared a special section entitled "Caring and Sharing," focusing on Alberta's voluntary sector.
You can access the section at http://www.edmontonjournal.com/non-profit/index.html read more »
Call to Open Stimulus Fund to Nonprofits
Posted June 16th, 2009 by ConstanceThis email was sent to federal and provincial politicians asking that the second round of the stimulus fund be opened up to include nonprofit proposals.
June 15, 2009
We are writing to ask that the government move quickly to open up the second direct stimulus call to the nonprofit sector. The nonprofit sector in Canada works closely with municipal, provincial and federal governments in local communities and is a vital partner of government during this difficult time. read more »
Building Sustainable Relationships between Non-Profit/Voluntary Sector and Provincial & Territorial Governments - Summary Report
Posted April 7th, 2009This year's annual gathering of provincial networks was held in Halifax in February. The focus of the meeting was "Building Sustainable Relationships between Non-Profit/Voluntary Sector and Provincial & Territorial Governments". Attached is a summary report of the Halifax gathering as well as a summary of provincial activities.
Who Are We? Ontario Nonprofit Sector Statics
Posted July 2nd, 2008ONTARIO CO-OP SECTOR INFORMATION
Ontario has more than 1,300 co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires, with 1,900 locations in more than 400 Ontario communities. The sector has $30 billion in assets; 15,500 employees; 1.4 million members; and is governed by 10,000 volunteer board members.
