Government of Canada
to Honour Volunteers during International Year of the Volunteers 2001
June 1, 2001
ETOBICOKE— Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, called
on individuals and organizations today to help the Government of Canada
honour volunteers during the International Year of Volunteers (IYV)
2001. To help celebrate volunteerism, the Government of Canada
will be working in partnership with voluntary organizations to present
IYV Recognition Certificates to thousands of Canadians who volunteer.
"Volunteers make invaluable contributions in our communities and our
society, and they help define who we are as Canadians", said Roy Cullen.
The objective of the initiative is not to single out any one person
as more worthy of recognition than another, but to say thank you and highlight
the unique ways that volunteers make their contributions to our communities
and country.
"A parent who volunteers to be a Brownie or Scout leader, someone who
canvasses for the Canadian Cancer Society once a year, or an individual
who works to improve the environment during Earth Day, is as deserving
of a certificate as the individual who chairs a multi-year campaign to
raise millions of dollars for a local hospital," said Cullen.
Individuals can "nominate" family members, friends, neighbours and co-workers
for an IYV Volunteer Recognition Certificate and organizations can
order copies for each of their volunteers by contacting Roy Cullen's office
at 416-747-6003. The United Nations' declaration of International
Year of Volunteers 2001 gives cause for celebration to over 7.5 million
Canadian volunteers and 175,000 not-for-profit organizations.
In Canada, volunteers are fundamental to our social and economic landscape.
The contribution of volunteers across Canada has been estimated at $16
billion annually or 8% of Canada's gross domestic product. Collectively,
volunteers give $1.1 billion hours of their time yearly - the equivalent
of 578,000 full-time jobs.
For further information:
www.iyvcanada.org
Chris Gray, Office Manager
Roy Cullen, M.P. Etobicoke North
416-747-6003
|
Archives
