On Labour Day, September 7th 2020, we join our Volunteer Centre colleagues across the country in publishing a co-authored, open letter to advocate for the essential role of volunteers, and the systems that enable them, during the recovery of our country. Excerpts from “Volunteer Centres: An Untapped Resource” We’re writing this letter, signed by aligned…
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The Ontario government is eliminating the cost of police record checks for volunteers of all ages looking to give their time and skills to the causes they care about. This includes Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks, which are commonly required by organizations that work with volunteers. Beginning April 1, 2022,…
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On June 27, 2022, the Ontario Superior Court approved a settlement in a class action lawsuit against the student travel group S-Trip for classifying trip leaders as volunteers, who were actually doing the work of employees. The settlement is a first of its kind ruling in Canada and is an important step towards decent work…
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Toronto, ON— After two years, the provincial mandate for high-school students has been reinstated to the full 40-hour requirement. The mandate was waived for students graduating in 2020-21, and saw a reduction to 20-hours for student graduation in 2021-2022, both changes due to COVID-19. “Volunteering is proven as a two-way relationship,” says Cara Eaton, Volunteer…
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Excerpts from “Volunteer Centres: An Untapped Resource” We’re writing this letter, signed by aligned Volunteer Centres in a robust network across the country, to speak up on how meaningful volunteerism is enabled. Canadians volunteer more than anywhere else in the world. Every year, nearly 13 million individuals contribute time to an organization in their community,…
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Volunteer Centres: Investing in People The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN) is the provincial network strengthening the individual and collective ability of Volunteer Centres in Ontario to promote, support, and enhance volunteerism. Volunteers across Ontario continue to step up in the face of COVID-19. A record number of individuals have invested their time, talent and human spirit…
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