Backgrounder: Canada’s Volunteer Awards

Canada’s Volunteer Awards

The Government of Canada is dedicated to recognizing the time and resources given by volunteers. The aim of the Canada Volunteer Awards is to nationally recognize the contributions individuals, not-for-profit organizations and businesses give to their communities through volunteering. Volunteering greatly benefits other government activities that engage individuals throughout communities and promotes partnerships which help to address persistent social problems.

There are a total of 21 awards, both at the regional and the national levels.

There are 20 regional awards, four for each of the five regions across Canada (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia and the North):

• Emerging Leader (youth 18 to 30);
• Community Leader (for individual volunteers or groups of volunteers);
• Business Leader (for businesses); and
• Social Innovator (for not-for-profit organizations).

There is also one national award:

• Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award (generally for those who have volunteered for at least 20 years).

Recipients are selected through a three-step assessment process:

1. Department officials screen nominations to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Regional Reviewers (volunteer representatives from across the country) assess eligible nominations based on the assessment criteria and develop a list of top‑ranked nominations for the National Advisory Committee.
3. The National Advisory Committee is comprised of volunteer members from various regions of Canada and is selected by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. The National Advisory Committee assesses the top-ranked nominations and advises the Minister on final decisions.

About the National Advisory Committee Members

The National Advisory Committee (NAC) members will advise and assist the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (ESDC) on all matters relating to the selection of award recipients.