Community engagement is a central part of a well-functioning,
democratic society. The more involved people are in their communities, the
more likely they are to value those communities. When people volunteer at
a local school or community centre, participate in community events, join
a business group, take the time to vote or help out at their local food
bank or get to know their neighbours, they contribute towards better schools
and community services, lower crime rates, racial tolerance, closer involvement
in decision-making and better economic opportunities. Engagement in communities
can also help citizens understand the importance of sustainability and the
links between social, economic and environmental issues.
| Volunteerism |
|
GETTING
BETTER for
volunteerism rates and hours volunteered in BC. |
| Charitable
Donations |
|
GETTING
BETTER for
rates of giving and average monetary donation in BC. |
| Voter
Turnout |
|
GETTING
WORSE for federal, provincial and local elections in BC. |
Volunteerism in BC (1997-2004)
1
In BC, the rate of volunteering and the average number of hours volunteered
have increased since 2000. In 2004 the British Columbian rate of volunteering
was 45% of the total population aged over 15 years (1,580,000 people), which
is a 19% increase since 2000. The average number of hours volunteered annually
has increased 18% since 2000, from 169 hours to 199 hours. This is the highest
number of volunteer hours in all of Canada, and considerably higher than
the Canadian average of 169 hours.
British Columbians aged 45-54 years were the most common volunteers, with
52% of the population in this age category volunteering in 2004. This was
closely followed by British Columbians aged 15-24, with 50% volunteering
in 2004. On average, fewer people over 65 volunteered, but those who did
spent more time per person volunteering than all other age categories.
Charitable Donations in BC (1997-2004) 1
77% of British Columbians 15 years and older made a monetary
donation in 2004, which is less than the 2004 Canadian donation rate of
85% and less than the 1997 BC donation rate of 89%. In 2004, the average
annual value of donations by British Columbians was $467, considerably higher
than the Canadian average of $400, and an 83% increase in the BC average
since 2000 ($255).
Not surprisingly, as household income increases, so too
does the rate and value of charitable giving. In general, between 2000 and
2004, households with an annual income greater than $20,000 show an increasing
donation rate, except those with an income of $40,000-$59,999, which show
a 3% decrease since 2000. Households with an income of less than $20,000
have the lowest rate of giving, and the rate has declined since 2000.
Voter Turnout in BC and the Fraser Basin (1983-2006)
2, 3, 4
Voter turnout is declining. The rate of voter turnout in
both provincial and federal elections has dropped since the mid-1980s. The
Canadian average voter turnout for federal elections has also declined since
the 1980s.
Data on municipal election voter turnout rates were made available from
the Union of BC Municipalities for some, but not all Fraser Basin communities.
The 2005 municipal election voter turnout rate for the 38 reported Fraser
Basin communities was 31%, which is considerably lower than BC voter turnout
rates for provincial or federal elections. For municipal elections, it appears
that, as the population of the community increases, voter turnout decreases.
This is particularly true for communities with a voter population of less
than 1,000, which had on average an 18% higher voter participation rate
than larger communities.
What is being done?
Community stewardship
groups provide an important means of engagement in many communities. The
second Annual BC Interior Area Stewards Workshop was held on March 17-18,
2006 at the Cariboo Friendship Society Longhouse in Williams Lake and was
attended by nearly 60 stewards from across the interior.
The 2006 BC Rivers Day
involved about 80,000 British Columbians at more than 125 events across
the province. Some highlights from the Fraser Basin include Prince George
Rivers Day Music Festival, the Allco Park celebration on the Alouette River
in Maple Ridge, and the Salmon Festival and parade in Vancouver. 6
In 2006, 2,105 British
Columbians participated in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, raising $5.5
million in funds for breast cancer research. This is a 17% increase in participants
from 2005. 7
The
Go for Green annual Commuter Challenge is a Canada-wide community-based
program that aims to increase sustainable commuting by encouraging people
to walk, cycle, take transit, carpool or tele-work instead of driving alone
to get to work: www.commuterchallenge.ca.
8
What else can be done?
Contact Volunteer BC,
your local volunteer centre or community organizations for opportunities
to participate and advance sustainability in your community.
All levels of government,
business and community organizations can provide ongoing opportunities and
resources for people to be involved in planning and decision-making processes
that affect sustainability.
Individuals, organizations,
businesses, governments and schools can participate, volunteer or sponsor
community events.
Businesses can provide
employees paid time off to volunteer in the community and can match employee
donations to community groups.
|
Stepping up
to volunteer
Volunteerism is on the upswing. BC boasts 35 volunteer centres across
the province, including 17 in the Fraser Basin, to assist local organizations
with volunteer recruitment, referral and training services. Volunteer
Kamloops offers adult and youth volunteer placement5
. A special program, Focus through Volunteering, helps people with
mental health issues find volunteer positions that connect them to
the community, while building their skills and confidence. The North
Thompson Volunteer & Information Centre has coordinated volunteers
for special events, such as an initiative to replant 10,000 trees,
and supported Barriere Against Drugs to combat methamphetamine addiction
through education, prevention strategies and facilitated community
meetings.
|
|
|
REFERENCES
1. Statistics Canada: Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering
and Participating (1997; 2000; 2004). Catalogue number: 71-542-XIE.
2.Elections BC website: www.elections.bc.ca/elections/elections-results.htm#D.
3. Elections Canada website:
www.elections.ca/home.asp.
4. Union of British Columbian Municipalities, civic elections
result search engine: www.ubcmsurveys.com/election2005.
5. Volunteer BC website: www.volunteerbc.bc.ca/index.html.
6. BC Rivers Day website and personal communication; www.riversday.bcit.ca
7. Weekend to End Breast Cancer Website and personal communication;
www.endcancer.ca.
8. Commuter Challenge website: www.commuterchallenge.com.
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