The non-profit labour force is in crisis

Non-profits across this country are at the forefront of helping communities survive and thrive. Non-profit workers are committed to serving their communities and have found innovative ways to do this throughout the pandemic. But we’re at a tipping point. If governments do not act to support this labour force now, the most vulnerable in our communities will be impacted. Unlike many other sectors, a human resources crisis in the non-profit sector directly impacts essential services and affects Canadians in their everyday lives. As we move past year two of the pandemic, the non-profit sector is facing skyrocketing demands for services, coupled with significant drops in fundraising and the end of government pandemic support. Our staff are burnt out and leaving the sector in droves. Women are disproportionately impacted by both the surge in demand and the struggle to keep the doors open, as they make up 77 per cent of the non-profit labour force. They also make up a disproportionate number of caregivers to the most vulnerable in our communities. A non-profit crisis means Canadians are losing access to crucial services. Already, child care centres can’t open spaces and are shortening hours as they struggle to hire and retain staff to care for our little ones. Family counselling agencies can’t keep up with the exponential calls from families struggling, and clients across multiple programs are giving up when they hear of wait lists of over six months. In many places, programs like Meals on Wheels and adult day programs have long waitlists and no staff to run them. Drop-in programs for people experiencing homelessness are seeing unprecedented demand, yet with rising rents and food costs, may have to drop hot meal programs. All of this has a ripple effect throughout the community, as loss of services means increased caregiver burden, as well as added pressures on other already over-burdened institutions that everyone relies on, such as hospitals. According to recent results of the Canadian Survey of Business Conditions, 33 per cent of non-profit sector employers believe retaining skilled staff will be an obstacle over the next three months, while 38 per cent are concerned about recruiting skilled staff. It’s a job-seekers’ market, but the non-profit sector is starting from a considerable disadvantage to fill roles and remain competitive in retaining staff. Average salaries in community non-profits are already much lower than the economy-wide average in Canada ($38,716 compared to $52,638 in 2019). Additionally, thin operating budgets and inflexible funding agreements mean many organizations are significantly constrained in their ability to increase wages. This is a national crisis affecting every region in the country. It needs the attention of all levels of government. Without non-profit workers, there will be massive gaps in community supports—and governments will be left to fill in services for many people who rely daily on non-profit supports and programs. As we’ve seen in the long-term care and other care sectors, large for-profit chains are not the answer. There are solutions. Addressing the working conditions and acute labour shortage will require a multi-factored approach. This means investment in non-profit labour force strategies, modernizing antiquated funding agreements so organizations have flexible operating budgets to meet increased demand and retain talented workers, and public policies that enable non-profits to offer competitive salaries and benefits to people who are providing priority services. Federally, this means ensuring that all federal transfers for community-based services to the provinces and territories prioritize non-profit service delivery and stipulate an adequate wage floor for non-profit workers. Non-profit organizations and their workers are collaborating with their peers and governments with a laser focus on their mission and the people they serve. With 170,000 organizations and 2.5 million workers in Canada, the non-profit sector is an economic driver contributing an estimated $192-billion annually. Supporting non-profit workers is a critical part of rebuilding local economies and preventing downstream costs from systemic issues facing communities. With the alarming rise in the cost of living and a country still grappling with pandemic impacts, Canada’s non-profits and charities will be relied upon even more. We can’t get the work done without a robust workforce of skilled non-profit workers. In a year with many provincial and municipal elections, it’s time for political parties and candidates to turn their policy focus and commitments to where communities need them most. Cathy Taylor is the executive director of the Ontario Nonprofit Network. The Hill Times