In September 2006, the Federal Government announced $1 billion in spending cuts. Approximately $200 million of these cuts directly affect the voluntary sector. The cuts were broad, and cut across many departments. Programs including adult learning and literacy, youth employment, adult skill development and employment, social development, research and public policy, environment, among others. To learn about the details of the cuts, click here to see a Federal Cuts Backgrounder.

Latest Updates and News

Hansard transcript of Dion's question and Harper's response

Sector Activities Responding to the Cuts

• Responses to elimination of $9.7 million for Canadian Volunteerism Initiative (CVI): Volunteer Alberta Information, Volunteer Canada response, Volunteer Action Centre response
  
• Museums Association efforts to get $4.6 million in cuts re-instated supported by opposition parties
  
• Literacy community's response to $17.7 million in cuts to Adult Learning and Literacy Skills programs (Movement for Canadian Literacy)
  
• Muttart Foundation's letters to Prime Minister Harper, President of the Treasury Board, Western Canadian MPs, and leaders of the opposition parties.
  
• Blog set up by coalition of community organizations about the cuts (links to documents, etc)
  
• Save the Court Challenges website launched

Media Coverage of Issue

• Charity Village cover story about the cuts
• Calgary Herald article about impact in Calgary