New Statistics Reveal High Volunteer Participation Among Canadian-Born Racialized Individuals

A new nationwide survey has revealed one of the strongest patterns of community engagement in Canada: Canadian-born racialized individuals volunteer at higher rates than any other demographic, reaching a participation level of 79 percent in 2023.

Overall, 70 percent of racialized Canadians volunteered over the past year, contributing an estimated 936 million hours of service. This marks the first time Statistics Canada has provided a detailed breakdown of volunteering activity among racialized populations, offering valuable insight into how communities contribute to the social fabric of the country.

Informal Volunteering Leads Participation

Racialized volunteers were far more involved in informal community contributions than formal organizational roles. The survey found:

• 64 percent engaged in informal volunteer work
• 29 percent volunteered formally with organizations
• 33 percent participated in both forms

This highlights the significant role racialized Canadians play in direct community support, everything from assisting neighbours to organizing grassroots initiatives.

Why Canadian-Born Racialized Volunteers Stand Out

The survey found a clear trend: volunteering rates are highest among individuals born in Canada, regardless of racial background.

But among all groups, Canadian-born racialized individuals displayed the highest rate at 79 percent.

This outpaced:

• Racialized immigrants (67 percent)
• Non-racialized Canadians born in Canada (74 percent)

Researchers note that Canadian-born racialized groups often have stronger social networks, greater language fluency, and more opportunities for community participation from a young age.

Top Motivations and Barriers

Shared motivations across groups include community contribution and a desire to support local initiatives.

However, racialized volunteers were more likely to cite:

• Networking
• Career development
• Exploring strengths

The largest barrier was time availability, a challenge that disproportionately affected racialized respondents.

What This Means for Canada’s Volunteer Sector

With volunteer activity shaping community well-being and supporting non-profit organizations, understanding demographic participation is vital. The findings suggest that programs designed to expand volunteer representation should:

• Deepen outreach to immigrant groups
• Support culturally diverse organizations
• Reduce structural barriers such as language and scheduling limitations

Racialized Canadians, particularly those born in Canada, play a vital and active role in volunteerism nationwide. Their contributions support social cohesion and help strengthen community infrastructure across the country.

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