According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, 1 in 6 (~17% of) Canadian tax filers claimed a charitable donation, and although that year saw a record high in total donations thanks to large pandemic-related contributions, it marked the 11th straight year of decline in number of people donating to charitable causes. For context, back at the turn of the millennium, that number was 1 in 4.
Even on the world stage, we’re not exactly trendsetters. In the World Giving Index, you won’t see Canada on any top ten lists any time soon. With the likes of our counterparts in the Netherlands at 68%, Australia at 64%, and even the USA at 61%, we rank much closer to the bottom 10 countries just behind Malawi (#10) and Jordan (#9) at around 14%.
It’s worth noting that charitable giving has seen a decline in most places. The UK for example has gone from reporting 82% of its adult population donating each year, to its now 65%, in the last decade.
We are also all feeling the pressure of increased cost of living, higher percentages of the average income going to housing (for example), dwindling savings, inflation and so much more. But, when you look at Indonesia having an average annual income of only $12,000 CAD, you still see 84% of their people donating to charitable causes. Or in Myanmar, where people can typically see only $300 CAD annually, but have 73% of them donating in some way.
Canada ranks 50th in the world for people who self-report “helping a stranger” and 33rd in the world for percentage of its population that volunteers their time in some way.
“Over the last three years, Canada has seen a dramatic decline in volunteers, with 65% of volunteer-supported organizations reporting a shortage. At the same time, 32% report an increase in demand for services.” – Global Newswire
It’s understandable that in our current climate, we need to look out for ourselves. And, it may feel as though that’s truer than ever. But humans have faced challenges of all kinds for as long as we can remember. And being a part of a community that supports one another has always been a successful survival skill, because we are not only stronger together, empathy is one of the qualities that truly makes us unique and powerful on this planet.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to get something in return for giving. It may sound self-interested, but if everyone is benefiting, it’s that much better an end result.
Take volunteering for example; studies have shown that aside from the possibly more obvious benefits such as meeting new people, learning new skills, and improving employability… it also improves mental health and wellbeing, increases one’s self-esteem and self-worth, reduces depression, and has even been linked to living longer.
Even when it comes to charitable monetary donations, we can look forward to a feeling of belonging, feeling better about ourselves, more connectedness to our community, and of course a little tax break. Studies from the likes of the Cleveland Clinic have shown that giving literally improves your health with “feel good” brain chemicals and lower blood pressure.
You can have your cake, and share it too.
We hear a lot of “things have never been worse” language around us. By the majority of global statistics on things like life expectancy, famine, war/conflict death rate, poverty, homicides, literacy rates and more, that’s not true. Check out Our World in Data if you want a pick-me-up some time.
We as humans are better off in many – arguably most – ways than every generation before us. The difference is, with the internet, social media, and a 24/7 newsfeed in our pockets, we are exposed to more negativity than ever before. We are also less connected to that human empathy than ever before thanks to the same technology.
We need each other.
If you need another reason, you know what hasn’t seen much of a decline? Violence against women, and family/intimate partner femicide. Globally, the rate of missing women is on a projected decline, but we can’t necessarily say the same of missing Indigenous women in Canada yet.
To change the future of these numbers, we need advocacy and action. It’s not about changing a Facebook profile filter, it’s about support. Creating more resources for victims and those at risk. Developing more programs and services to empower and protect girls and young women. Addressing education and expectations for boys and young men. Affecting the culture that has subtly created and fed this problem for centuries. Facilitating conversation to change stigma and societal norms.
Shining a light on an issue to create a better future is something that takes time, people, and resources.
In July of 2023, Toronto declared Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic. The federal government jumped on board in August of the same year, in response to a triple femicide.
“Gender-based violence is an epidemic that has no place in our country.” – Canada’s Justice Minister
This is a human rights issue. Not only that, it’s an expensive issue.
“A second Justice Canada report found that the costs associated with intimate partner violence equalled $7.4-billion the same year. Of this number, victims bore 81 per cent ($6-billion) of the total sum in medical fees, lost wages, lost education, stolen or damaged property, as well as continuing pain and suffering.” – The Globe & Mail
When it comes to support, costs are also rising with the increase in demand. Shelter, transitional supports, counselling, childcare, medical costs, legal fees and more take a toll on everyone involved – and everyone in the community surrounding victims and those at risk.
It feels big. It can feel insurmountable. But, we know from our own human history that we can do this. We’ve eradicated diseases, we’ve put serious change to people’s access to drinking water and to changing the tide of famine and extreme poverty. We’ve “solved” climate crises like acid rain, and made unbelievable changes in infant and delivering mother mortality rates.
For all we have, all we know, and what the world thinks of the friendly folk in our country, we are the right people to be setting the example. Canada can and should be a world-leader in this space, and one at the helm of righting this ship.
Donating does not have to mean large amounts. Volunteering does not have to mean much time, or even formality. But, we can all stand to be more consistent. More collaborative. More Canadian.