Human Resources Committee on Dec. 4th, 2023

[The Chair (Mr. Robert Morrissey (Egmont, Lib.)), Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

I call the meeting to order.

Committee members, the clerk has advised me that we have a quorum and that those appearing virtually have been sound tested.

Welcome to meeting number 93 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee is beginning its study on intergenerational volunteerism.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, meaning that some members and witnesses are appearing in the room and some are appearing virtually.

I would like to review a few items.

You have the option of choosing to speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation is available in the room by using your headset and selecting the appropriate language. For those appearing virtually, please click on the world icon at the bottom of your screen and choose the official language of your choice. If there's an interruption in translation services, please get my attention, and we'll suspend while it is being corrected. For those who are here virtually, you can use the “raise hand” icon to get my attention. For those in the room, simply raise your hand.

I would like to remind the members in the room to keep their earpieces away from the in-room microphones for the safety of the translators' hearing.

Our witnesses are Trevor Moss, chief executive officer, Central Okanagan Food Bank, who is appearing virtually, and Megan Conway from Volunteer Canada, who is in the room.

Before I begin with the opening comments, I want to speak for the benefit of the committee.

You will recall that last week, at one meeting, there was a point of order by Mrs. Gray, at which time I said that I would take under consideration my position as it related to moving motions during your speaking time allocation. At the last meeting, a question was asked regarding the fact that the clock is not stopped when a member has the floor to question witnesses and, during the intervention, if he or she moves a motion, if the time provided for questioning the witness has expired, at the end of the debate on the motion, the floor is given to the next member who wishes to question the witness.

In making the decision I'm about to give, I was guided by a few principles. First of all, members have complete discretion to do whatever they want with the time allotted to them. They can question witnesses and move motions. Second, this decision in no way alters the right of members to debate the motion in accordance with the established rules. I decided to do this in order to give all members as many opportunities as possible to ask questions, which I have a responsibility to do. It's a question of fairness. Everyone can use their speaking time as they see fit.

In fairness to all the members around the table, I want everyone to be able to exercise their right to speak. In short, everyone does what they like with their speaking time. When the time is up, we move on to the next member unless the committee is debating a motion. In that case, anyone can speak with no time limit. This decision does not deprive any member of their right to ask questions or move motions.

With that, committee members, I will move to opening comments from Mr. Moss.

Mr. Moss, you have the floor for five minutes or less.

Thank you.

[Trevor Moss, Chief Executive Officer, Central Okanagan Food Bank]

Thank you, esteemed members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, for providing us with the opportunity to share our insights on intergenerational volunteerism.

Intergenerational volunteerism is not just a philosophy. It is a daily reality in the heart of our operations. The Central Okanagan Food Bank serves as a meeting ground where individuals from all walks of life converge to make a collective impact. Through these interactions, connections are forged, relationships are built and the diversity that enriches our community is celebrated.

Each generation brings a unique perspective and skill set to volunteer positions that impact their fellow volunteers, the organization they are working with and the community at large. It's this diversity that evokes real and impactful change in our communities, and we see this daily.

Youth volunteers bring a dynamic and fresh perspective to organizations like ours through their energy, enthusiasm and willingness to embrace innovation. Their open-mindedness and adaptability make them valuable assets, as they often approach challenges with creativity and a willingness to try new approaches. Additionally, young volunteers tend to be tech-savvy, bringing a digital fluency that can enhance organizational efficiency and outreach efforts.

The passion and idealism of youth can inject new life into projects and initiatives, inspiring others and fostering a positive organizational culture. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences contribute to a rich tapestry of ideas and solutions. Moreover, young volunteers often have a deep connection to contemporary issues, enabling organizations to stay relevant and responsive to evolving societal needs.

For young adults, volunteering offers opportunities to develop and enhance their professional skills. They can gain experience in leadership, communication, project management and teamwork, which are valuable in both personal and professional spheres. Additionally, interpersonal skills such as empathy, cultural sensitivity and adaptability are often honed through volunteer experiences, contributing to well-rounded personal development.

As middle-aged adults engage in volunteer work, they bring a wealth of expertise and a strong sense of responsibility toward community development. This age group often finds fulfillment in applying their skills in novel ways, contributing not only to the success of the volunteer organization but also to their personal growth. Volunteering becomes a platform for continuous learning and a means to diversify their skill set, creating a positive ripple effect that extends beyond individual well-being.

The impact of this intergenerational collaboration on our senior volunteers is profound. Beyond the tangible contributions to the Central Okanagan Food Bank, seniors experience enhanced socialization and a sense of purpose. Engaging in volunteer activities has shown to reduce feelings of isolation, improve mental well-being and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Moreover, the act of volunteering contributes to the physical well-being of our senior volunteers, who make up an impressive 60% of our overall volunteer base. It promotes mobility, encourages an active lifestyle and reinforces the idea that age is not a barrier to meaningful community involvement. Seniors, through dedicated service, not only receive essential support but also find joy in the connections and empowerment that come with being an integral part of our volunteer family. As seniors bring their wealth of experience, they become essential mentors, offering valuable guidance to our younger volunteers.

This collaboration helps our youth develop necessary skills like problem solving, communication and leadership, crucial for their personal and professional growth. This intergenerational teamwork fosters empathy and understanding among our young volunteers, acting as a bridge that nurtures a sense of community and dispels generational gaps.

The intergenerational aspect of volunteering not only enhances the impact on community projects but also forges connections that withstand the test of time. Whether it's the exuberance of youth, the strategic acumen of middle-aged individuals or the seasoned wisdom of elders, each age cohort complements the others, creating a holistic and sustainable approach to community service. In this way, volunteering becomes a powerful tool for fostering unity, understanding and a shared commitment to build a better, more compassionate society.

Volunteerism is a transformative force that not only strengthens community but also enriches the lives of individuals. By recognizing its value and embracing collaboration across generations, we lay the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient and compassionate society. Together, we can create a legacy of positive change that transcends age boundaries and fosters a spirit of co-operation for the betterment of all.

In this sphere of volunteerism, we observe a dynamic relationship—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Mr. Moss, could you bring your comments to a close, please?

[Trevor Moss]

Yes.

In this sphere of volunteerism, we observe a dynamic relationship among generations, where the wisdom of our seniors meets the enthusiasm of our youth. Each generation, through its dedication, becomes a beacon illuminating a path for those who follow. Together, we forge a legacy of compassion, resilience and community strength, with each generation inspiring the next in an unbroken chain of goodwill.

Thank you for your time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mr. Moss.

We'll now go to Megan Conway for five minutes or less.

Ms. Conway, you have the floor.

[Dr. Megan Conway, President, Volunteer Canada]

Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, for organizing this important study on intergenerational volunteering.

My name is Dr. Megan Conway, and I am the president and CEO of Volunteer Canada. We are a registered charity that provides national leadership and expertise on volunteerism to enhance the participation, quality and diversity of volunteer experiences. We represent 1,100 members across the country and support them in their efforts to strengthen Canada's volunteering infrastructure.

This study comes at a critical juncture for Canada's social infrastructure. We're facing a growing loneliness epidemic alongside an intensifying crisis in volunteering and participation. Combined, these challenges deplete the ability of communities to support those in need and threaten our health, well-being, economy and resilience, as well as the collective fabric of our nation.

Intergenerational volunteering holds the power to address these mutually reinforcing challenges. It is a powerful avenue for building, belonging and connecting, offering positive multiplier effects for our communities. To deliver intergenerational initiatives at the scale required to address these complex challenges, we need to build a stronger support infrastructure and capacity.

Today I'll share more about the interlinked nature of the loneliness epidemic and the crisis in volunteering and participation, and I'll offer insights into how intergenerational volunteering can help counter these challenges. I'll also present a series of recommendations for how the Government of Canada can contribute to building the infrastructure necessary to effectively promote and support intergenerational volunteering.

The COVID-19 pandemic eroded our social connections and led to a significant rise in social isolation and loneliness. Just a few weeks ago, the World Health Organization declared that loneliness is a global public health concern. Combined, social isolation and loneliness have profound consequences for our public health systems, and they threaten the social capital and sense of belonging that keep our communities connected and productive.

In Canada, one in five Canadians now identify as lonely, with certain groups disproportionately affected, including newcomers, indigenous people, those living on low incomes and people with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Ageism and social isolation are closely associated, leaving older adults and youth particularly at risk.

Since 2015, rates of loneliness have increased by 67% among women aged 65 to 74, and 45% among men in the same age bracket. Today, an estimated 30% of older adults in Canada are at risk of social isolation, with this number expected to increase as the proportion of older adults multiplies in the coming years. The risk is compounded for older adults with intersecting risk factors, such as living alone, having compromised health, living with a low income or living in a rural area.

Our youth are also grappling with loneliness. Nearly one in four Canadian youth between the ages of 15 and 24 report feeling lonely, with higher rates of loneliness among young women. Given that a feeling of belonging and connection with others is fundamental to healthy youth development, this is deeply concerning.

Shifting patterns of social connection extend the way people engage in their community, including through volunteering. While volunteering has historically served as a safeguard for the support systems we rely upon and as an avenue for social connection, there are signs that volunteering and participation are no longer givens. Charitable and non-profit organizations across the country are reporting a shortage of new volunteers, challenges with volunteer retention and an inability to fill long-term roles. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with many older adults—who have historically contributed significantly to volunteering—not returning to their roles due to health concerns. Youth, despite their willingness to participate and make a difference, face persistent barriers to volunteering, such as not being asked to participate, time constraints, ageism and financial limitations.

We have an opportunity to reinvigorate the virtuous cycle between volunteering and social connection. We know individuals who volunteer are more connected to their communities and experience higher levels of belonging and inclusion, and that the benefits of volunteering are even greater among those who are socially connected. Intergenerational volunteering amplifies these benefits. When different generations come together, they nurture friendships, understanding and compassion, reduce ageism and strengthen communities in the process. There is a robust evidence base pointing to the benefits of intergenerational volunteering, including enhanced well-being and mental health, skills transfer and increased cross-cultural competency across generations.

Currently, Canada lacks the infrastructure necessary to promote and support purpose-fit and inclusive intergenerational programming and services. For example, effective intergenerational programs require staff training and support, but insufficient investment in volunteer management capacity limits organizations in these areas.

Moreover, there's a substantial data gap in understanding how older adults and youth engage in volunteering, especially when it comes to different ethnic and cultural groups, intersectional identities, religious affiliations, generational trends and rural versus urban volunteering.

These gaps are indicative of a more widespread issue across the volunteering landscape, and many of them stem from the lack of a cohesive and integrated national approach to promoting, supporting and facilitating volunteering.

In 2019, the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector recognized many of these persistent problems and called for the federal government to implement a national volunteer strategy. Volunteer Canada was identified as the leader in this effort and is interested in collaborating with a diverse network of stakeholders.

To this end, we have three recommendations that we wish to make: that the Government of Canada commit to engaging and strategically investing in the development and implementation of a national volunteer action strategy; that it invest in building a robust evidence base on intergenerational volunteering; and that it deepen and expand its investment in long-term, high-impact intergenerational volunteering initiatives that increase the number and diversity of participants in intergenerational volunteering.

Mr. Chair, this concludes my opening statement. I'm happy to answer any further questions that the committee might have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Dr. Conway, for a very interesting factual synopsis of what's happening in the country. I experience it quite a bit in my constituency amongst those demographics, so thank you.

With that, we will begin with Mrs. Gray for six minutes.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, witnesses, for being here and for the work that you do.

My first questions are for Trevor Moss at the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

We hear more stories of working families needing to access the food bank and food banks. Are you seeing this? Also, can you provide a brief rundown of the demographics and sociographics of the clients you serve, and has there been a change over the last 10 years?

[Trevor Moss]

What we're seeing is an immense need in our region. Over the last nine months, we have seen a 32% increase in reference to that. What we are projecting is another 100% increase in the next three to four months because of inflation. This is something that we are seeing continually. Of our newest clients who are coming in, some of the biggest pockets are seniors, immigrants and single individuals. They are predominantly the ones who are coming in and who are struggling the most.

We couldn't do this, what we're doing, without our volunteer base, which is 500 volunteers. They actually give us over 30,000 hours to pull this off at our two locations, in West Kelowna and Kelowna.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you.

I want to confirm that you said that you are expecting a 100% increase in food bank usage over the next three to four months due to inflation.

[Trevor Moss]

We're seeing projections. These are projections, but what we're seeing is that the curve is continually going up. Now, with the cost of living and interest rates, this is what we're seeing. The pressing need is huge, especially in the last four weeks. It's just skyrocketing, so we are concerned for the future.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Are you aware of any cases where there would be individuals who used to donate to and/or volunteer for your organization and who now are actually having to come in as clients?

[Trevor Moss]

Yes, we're seeing that often. Many people are letting us know that. Also, our physical donations have dropped over 50% in reference to food drives, in reference to those situations, so that is a common experience.

Just last week, we had a 91-year-old lady who came in to the food bank for the first time because she just couldn't make it, and she was on a fixed income.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Wow. Thank you for sharing that. These are really shocking numbers that you're giving when you're talking about donations being down yet the usage being so much greater. I'm sure it's creating a lot of challenges for your organization in trying to serve the community. I know that you're doing all that you can, and you do such really good work.

Are you finding there has been a shift in the demographics, specifically in the ages, because this is about intergenerational...? Have you seen a shift in different individuals who might be coming in to volunteer, and would they have, maybe, different reasons?

We have seen, in some cases, that there have been some reports that people just don't have the time anymore because they are having to work more. We're seeing reports of seniors having to go back to work in order to pay for basic necessities. Are you seeing a shift where people maybe used to have the time and want to volunteer but just can't because they have to get that second job or go back to work? Are those any of the stories that you're hearing?

[Trevor Moss]

Yes, there are three stories that come to my mind. One is seniors who, because of their fixed incomes, have to go and get more occasional jobs to meet the growing need. The second is more in reference to our youth, because they need the money for education, for schooling and those types of things, and the third area is the area of immigration. That's another area where we are seeing that people can't volunteer as much.

There are also working families. This is the highest thing we're seeing as well. Working families are coming in more and more, and they have less to give. Whereas maybe one spouse was working before, now both of them need to, and that's where we're seeing a drop-off as well.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you.

We've also heard reports that people would like to volunteer, and maybe they've had to reduce volunteering because of the cost of transportation and specifically the cost of gas. Are you seeing volunteers or people wanting to volunteer who maybe can't just because of the transportation needs in getting to and from locations? Is that something that you're hearing at all?

[Trevor Moss]

Yes, that is something we are hearing in reference to volunteerism. That is absolutely the case, because we're hearing that more and more. The number one request from our food bank right now is bus tickets, and the other thing that we've had to do is create satellite locations in our area for our clients, because they do not have the money to get on the bus to come and get food, which is tragic indeed. These are some of the barriers that people are encountering day to day.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you.

We have only about 20 seconds left here. Do you have you any final comment you'd like to make before we sign off?

[Trevor Moss]

The only thing that we are seeing in reference to volunteerism is the relational poverty piece, and I think the pandemic did a real number on this. We have also presented a positive piece, in that charities can really help people come together and weave them together. People are moving out of isolation, but the two biggest challenges right now are isolation and putting food on the table.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to share some insights on the daily workings of the Central Okanagan Food Bank and the clients we serve.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mrs. Gray.

Mr. Van Bynen, you have six minutes.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'm really looking forward to what we might learn from this study.

I can say that, as a volunteer for the food bank in Newmarket—Aurora, I understand the dilemma that one of our guests is experiencing. On the bright side, though, just last week we celebrated that one of our churches raised 50,000 pounds for the local food bank, so it's good to see that there is a voluntary response to some of the concerns that we have here.

I'm very interested in hearing more from our guest from Volunteer Canada, Megan Conway. We did have a conversation earlier. Given that this is a national study, I'm looking forward to your contributions.

You had some recommendations but the time limitation had you go through them quickly. Could you expand on your recommendations, please?

[Dr. Megan Conway]

Sure. Thank you.

In 2019 the Senate produced a report, “Catalyst For Change”, and the number one recommendation in that report is that Canada invest in the development of a national volunteer action strategy. Over the last three years, since the pandemic has hit, we've seen significant impacts to volunteering infrastructure across the country.

In the 2022 November business conditions survey from Statistics Canada, 65% of organizations surveyed indicated that they've had difficulty recruiting or retaining volunteers. That has meant that, of those surveyed, 35% of organizations have had to reduce or close programs altogether.

We have a crisis in volunteerism right now, where we're seeing people not able to return to volunteering for a variety of different reasons. Seniors have identified challenges related to health and safety. They've historically been the largest demographic in the country to contribute the most number of hours. That's a significant concern that charities such as the food bank, Meals on Wheels and other direct service organizations are grappling with.

We believe that it's time for there to be a national volunteer action strategy. That's one significant recommendation we would make. We also believe that it's important to build out more robust data and evidence about the benefits of intergenerational volunteerism and about what the landscape of volunteerism looks like in the country at this point, given significant technological shifts across the country.

We believe that volunteerism is a direct way of addressing the loneliness epidemic that we're facing in the country.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Thank you.

You mentioned the need for a national volunteer strategy. What would the objectives be?

My concern is that our volunteers, the ones who are stable over a longer period of time, are aging out on us. How do we get youth more actively involved, and what would the target be?

[Dr. Megan Conway]

One of the significant concerns we have seen is that young people often don't feel like they have been asked to participate in the community. They feel like it is a domain that is for perhaps an older demographic.

We think there are great advantages to bringing older people and younger people together in volunteering. We have recently identified through some research that the landscape of intergenerational volunteering programs across the country is very chaotic and disparate. Individuals who are really advancing intergenerational initiatives across the country are often themselves aging out and older, and they lack the kinds of organizational infrastructure necessary.

To get back to your question about youth, specifically, though, I think asking youth is critical. Supporting youth with any kind of honorarium relative to their travel costs is important because they are experiencing costs relative to participation. Also, it's important to recognize that the youth themselves have skills, whether they be technological skills or different kinds of design thinking skills, for instance, that are new and cutting-edge ways of solving complex problems.

I think youth bring different skills and capacities to the table. Older adults also have the perspective of wisdom. Bringing those two demographics together, I think, holds huge promise. There is an opportunity to re-engage youth and build a culture of service across this country that we haven't seen in many decades.

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

An observation I have received is that the more senior volunteers are longer term, as opposed to the youth being more project-oriented, so more frequent projects.... Is there any way we could shift that perspective, or is that the study you're looking for?