Executive Summary

The Voluntary Sector Task Force (VSTF) was initially established in the Privy Council Office in June 1998 to coordinate the preparation of advice to Cabinet on the relationship of the government with the voluntary sector. This was a response to commitments made in Securing Our Future Together (Red Book II) and reiterated in the 1999 Speech from the Throne. The government had pledged to work with the voluntary sector in three key areas: building the relationship, strengthening capacity and improving the regulatory framework.

In June of 2000, with the announcement of the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI), the VSTF became the focal point in government for centralized coordination and policy development for the VSI, and for working with the voluntary sector and 22 federal departments and agencies. Its mandate, as part of a coherent federal policy approach, was to advise and support the Reference Group of Ministers on the voluntary sector, as well as departments and agencies, on the state of the voluntary sector-government relationship and on actions to be taken to strengthen the partnership and the voluntary sector’s capacity.

The Task Force had three primary responsibilities:

• Develop an Accord with the sector;
  
• Coordinate and manage the overall government relationship with the sector on the VSI; and
  
• Support government VSI activities.

Over the next two-and-a-half years, the VTSF broke new ground in working jointly with the voluntary sector, particularly the Voluntary Sector Initiative Secretariat (VSIS — its mirror organization in the voluntary sector). The VTSF adapted to evolving circumstances in a complex, fast-paced and highly visible work environment.

Initially, the VSTF focused on the internal requirements needed to ensure the approval, successful launch and implementation of the VSI, particularly the proposed Accord with the voluntary sector. Over time, the VSTF broadened its role and outreach as the overall focus and objectives of the VSI took shape.

Representatives from the voluntary sector had inherently different approaches and goals from those of the public service. The VSTF worked with the VSIS to establish trust, a shared approach to work and results, and an understanding of and consideration for the respective constraints of each sector.

The VSTF, both on its own and in partnership with the VSIS, fulfilled its mandate of developing An Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector and two corollary documents, the Code of Good Practice on Funding and the Code of Good Practice on Policy Dialogue, coordinating all aspects of the VSI and supporting the Reference Group of Ministers and senior management. The October 8, 2002, All-Tables Meeting marked the culmination of the VSTF’s work, as most joint tables had completed their work.

As the VSTF wound down from November 2002 to the end of January 2003, staff made a concerted effort to ensure a smooth transition of the continuing responsibility to the Department of Canadian Heritage, providing a solid foundation from which to move forward.

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