On July 18, 2006 , Alberta's Minister of Alberta Community Development Denis Ducharme announced the new Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Initiative (ANVSI) that will encourage collaboration between the sector and the provincial government to ensure sustainability of the sector and help address current and future challenges including funding, human resources, insurance, and screening.

The first stage includes the development of a framework to guide and strengthen the relationship between the provincial government and the charitable sector.

The initiative is led by a Leaders Council that includes nonprofit/voluntary sector leaders and key government ministries, including Community Development, Justice and Attorney General, Seniors and Community Supports, Children's Services, and Government Services. CCVO's President and CEO, Katherine van Kooy, is a member of the council.

The framework is expected to be submitted to the Minister of Community Development in January 2007.

“This sector, with over 19,000 organizations employing 176,000 people in Alberta, has incredible impact on our communities," said Martha Parker, co-chair of the Leaders Council, in a press release about the initiative. "Through this initiative, the sector and the Alberta government will proactively work to build a long term collaborative relationship to strengthen the sector and improve the lives of all Albertans."

Click here to read a Fact Sheet about the initiative.