Volunteerism and the Voluntary Sector in Nova Scotia

The Voluntary Sector in Canada is comprised of 161,000 legally incorporated organizations, makes up 6.8% of the GDP, employs close to one million paid individuals, and engages nearly 12 million volunteers.  The voluntary sector is also known as Nonprofit Sector, Not-for-Profit Sector, Social Economy, Charitable Sector, Community Sector, NGO (non-governmental organization) Sector, Third Sector, Independent Sector, or Civil Society. 

The organizations within the voluntary sector represent a broad range of activities and touch almost every aspect of Nova Scotians’ lives.  They provide essential services upon which Nova Scotians have come to depend.  The voluntary sector also provides opportunities for Nova Scotians to become supportive, creative members of their communities.