An Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector
INTRODUCTION
REASON FOR THE ACCORD - WHY AND WHY NOW
The voluntary sector and the Government of Canada share a long tradition of joining forces to
achieve common goals. Both sides believe, however, that there is benefit in formalizing the relationship
with an Accord that will facilitate greater mutual understanding and more co-operative ways of
working together.
A number of factors have led to the development of this Accord:
- At the end of the millennium, globalization, an increasingly diverse
population, new economic and social realities, and changing government roles resulted in increased
pressure on the voluntary sector which in turn led the sector and the Government of Canada
to search for better ways of working together and with others.
- The last decade also saw a greatly increased awareness of the voluntary
sector and the contribution it makes to civil society in giving voice to citizens, identifying
important and emerging issues, shaping policies and providing important services. The concept
of the "voluntary sector as a sector" has been growing in the public consciousness and in
the sector.
- Both the voluntary sector and the Government of Canada are large
and diverse. It is important for each to know what to expect and to appreciate the roles,
goals, and perspectives of the other.
- A number of provinces and other countries have seen benefits from
setting out in writing the vision and expectations of the relationship between their governments
and the voluntary sector. For example, in 1998, the development of Compacts between governments
and the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom attracted worldwide interest.
