Dear AFP Greater Vancouver Members,
Your Government Relations committee is pleased to share with you an update about recent advocacy work on behalf of the membership base.
Provincial Budget 2022
The Provincial Government recently announced Budget 2022 in late February, with a continuing commitment to helping British Columbians deal with the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic but also looking towards the future. Budget 2022 seems to build from last year’s budget, with many promises for additional relief for those hit hardest.
The one area of interest to our membership base is the Recovery and Resiliency Fund, originally announced as a $30 million commitment from the government to aid in the recovery of our profit sector, the fund has since increased to $34 million. After its announcement, this committee reached out to both Niki Sharma, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits and Minister Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (and my MLA) for additional information. I received responses from both Ms. Sharma and the office of Minister Mark, who agree that the non-profit sector plays a vital part in supporting British Columbians and explained the commitment of the Provincial Government in strengthening our sector.
Recovery and Resiliency Fund Details:
- $34 Million in funding: $30M from the Provincial Government, with $5M designated specifically to provide funding directly to organizations that are led by or serve Indigenous Peoples – which will be overseen by the New Relationship Trust. The Vancouver Foundation committed an additional $4M in funding.
- Per Ms. Sharma, the purpose of these funds will be to fill critical gaps in funding with a focus on organizational resilience.
- The fund will be administered by the Vancouver Foundation, with plans for it to be open by June 2022 and funds released by the end of the year.
On the provincial front, the committee will continue to engage and advocate on your behalf with Ms. Sharma and other MLAs.
Federal Government Updates
On March 23, the Liberal Party of Canada and New Democratic Party of Canada, announced that they had come to an agreement – a supply and confidence agreement – that will be in place until 2025. This means that the NDP will effectively keep the Liberal party in power by supporting any key bills that arise during this 44th session of Parliament. While the ramifications of this agreement for our sector are unclear at this time, it will likely mean a shorter implementation timeline for the National Childcare Program and potentially increased funding for non-profit housing, which are priorities for both parties.
The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Charities Directorate recently released its year-end report which shares highlights of some of its work from April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. It contains some interesting statistics about our sector.
AFP Canada Government Relations Updates
A brief update about the work AFP Canada is doing on behalf of all chapters as well as the work happening at the National Government Relations Committee.
- AFP Canada sent congratulatory letters to all MPs after last year’s federal election with included information about our organization and how vital our sector is.
- The committee produced a government relations one-pager, I encourage everyone to read this as its explains not only how someone can advocate on behalf of their profession but the benefits and the results of advocacy work.
- The committee is also working to have outreach meetings with Federal MPs to advocate for our profession, sector and organization. We will also use these meetings to highlight the challenges our sector faces and advocate for a Home in Government and the need to Boost Spending in Our Communities.