The Current Are Canadians becoming less generous?
Dec 30, 2025
Jackie Speckin, a dedicated volunteer recognized with the Order of the Red Cross, shares her heartfelt experiences and motivations for service, highlighting her recent refugee work. Megan Conway, President of Volunteer Canada, discusses trends showing a drop in volunteerism post-pandemic and how younger generations prefer skill-based, episodic volunteering. Bruce McDonald, CEO of Imagine Canada, connects the decline in donations to loneliness and economic pressures, warning about the eroding support for community services if these trends continue.
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Lifelong Volunteer Finds Purpose
- Jackie Speckin has spent decades volunteering while working full time and received the Order of the Red Cross in 2022.
- She volunteers because it enhances her life, career, and connections and helps her contribute where there is need.
Start Small And Local
- Find something that matters and start with an easy, local opportunity to volunteer near you.
- Use simple searches like "volunteer opportunities near me" and begin with small commitments.
Major Drop In Volunteer Participation
- Volunteering in Canada dropped from 41% to 32% between 2018 and 2023, equivalent to about 451,000 full-time jobs.
- The biggest declines are among women who faced pandemic-related pressures.