New Rapid Response Network to strengthen non-profit contribution to federal policy
Why It Matters
Non-profits have historically been excluded from critical policy discussions, even when they have sector-wide implications. Better coordination could change that.
Imagine Canada has launched a sector-wide advocacy group, allowing non-profits to coordinate their responses to government policy and economic challenges.
The impact of tariffs and changing relations with the United States are crucial topics for many non-profits, Imagine Canada found.
The Rapid Response Network held its first meeting in early April. It is currently made up of charities and non-profits that already have an active policy or advocacy stance.
“We want to make sure the government doesn’t lose sight of the non-profit sector, which sometimes unfortunately happens,” said Jodene Baker, vice president of research, advocacy and external relations at Imagine Canada.
“The sector gets left out of relief responses. They get left out of funding envelopes that are created to support businesses, for example.”
Emily Jensen, Imagine Canada’s manager of strategic advocacy, said the network will increase solidarity in a sector where scarcity has historically led to resource competition.
Imagine Canada has also launched an online resource hub to help non-profits navigate the federal election process. The hub includes rules they need to follow and a summary of each party’s main policy standpoints.
While Imagine Canada acts as the host organization, the organization encourages any non-profit that is actively involved in sector-wide advocacy work to bring issues to the table.
Once an emerging issue is identified, the network’s advisory committee will review it and gather information about how it affects organizations or communities.
The advisory committee will also assess whether the issue pertains to non-profits and charities nationally across Canada and whether it could disproportionately affect equity-seeking groups and organizations, Jensen said.
Jensen and Baker are actively inviting advocacy-minded organizations and coalitions representing smaller, grassroots, and volunteer-run organizations.
“We know people are engaged in federal policy advocacy—they would do it even in the absence of this network,” Baker said.
“But a lot of these organizations are strained for resources. They don’t even necessarily have a full-time staff person who is dedicated to this type of work, so it’s the ED doing it off the side of their desk.”
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