Voluntary Sector Task Force Final Report

Support to Joint Tables and Other Collaborative Mechanisms

The VSTF participated ex officio in the work of all the joint tables and collaborative mechanisms established under the VSI, as well as the informal alternative mechanism created to share information on advocacy and the definition of charitable status. These bodies focused on how to improve the relationship in a number of key areas – specifically, by:

Developing a framework agreement setting out their vision and principles;
Building the voluntary sector’s capacity to respond to Canadians’ needs;
Streamlining reporting requirements and regulations affecting the voluntary sector;
Developing a long-term approach to financing the voluntary sector;
Enhancing knowledge about the voluntary sector and increasing recognition of the important role it plays; and
Promoting and supporting volunteerism.

The VSTF also provided secretariat support for the Joint Accord Table, coordinating the production of drafts of the Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector and the Codes of Good Practice on Policy Dialogue and on Funding, in collaboration with the VSIS. It was also responsible for organizing and conducting consultations on the draft documents within the federal government and providing feedback to its voluntary sector counterparts on the results of these consultations. In addition, the VSTF participated in the cross-Canada consultations on the draft Accord in 2001. (See the report of the Joint Accord Table for more information.)

Sectoral Involvement in Departmental Policy Development

A key part of the VSI mandate is to strengthen the ability of the voluntary sector and the federal government – independently and in partnership — to serve Canadians. More than 30 percent of the VSI budget ($28.5 million) was allocated to SIDPD, a substantial investment aimed at developing policy capacity in federal government departments and in voluntary sector organizations.

SIDPD was created for projects that would:

Enhance policy development in departments by strengthening opportunities for input by voluntary sector organizations; and
Strengthen the voluntary sector's capacity to contribute to departmental policy development.

SIDPD supported initiatives that:

Contribute to building networks, alliances, and other collaborative mechanisms among voluntary sector organizations; and
Support knowledge development and knowledge sharing activities.

In the summer of 2000, a first round of proposal development was launched. A screening panel of sector representatives with experience in public policy development reviewed the proposals, and 21 projects involving eight federal departments were approved. On August 8, 2001, Minister Lucienne Robillard announced $11.6 million in funding for the projects.

In spring 2001, a second and final round was launched. A broad call for project descriptions was issued outlining the steps that voluntary sector organizations should take to develop and submit a proposal to a federal department or agency for funding. A joint review panel of federal government and voluntary sector representatives reviewed the proposals brought forward by 17 departments and agencies and 46 projects were approved. On March 20, 2002, Minister Robillard announced $15.1 million in funding for 46 SIDPD projects.

The VSTF developed the criteria and process for the first round of consultation with departments, worked with departments to bring the proposals forward for review and ministerial approval and to prepare the Treasury Board submissions necessary to secure the funding, and attempted to keep all interested parties informed. Each department was asked to undertake an evaluation of its SIDPD projects.

Once SIDPD projects were announced and responsibility rested with individual departments, the VSTF redirected its energies to other priorities. It did not have the mandate or the resources to provide an overall coordination function that could have helped SIDPD project managers share information on approaches, best practices and lessons learned and create a sense of community.

The VSTF was also responsible for overseeing the process of developing the request for proposals for an overall SIDPD evaluation, and for guiding the evaluation team. The contract was posted by Consulting and Audit Canada. The winning bid was submitted by the New Economy Development Group, which will report by late 2003. The evaluation team will:

Conduct a process evaluation for SIDPD;
Determine strategic outcomes of projects and key indicators for success; and
Conduct SIDPD Round 1 outcome evaluation.

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