Scorecard: Social impact leaders give the budget a five out of 10

The federal government’s Budget 2023 spends big, as Future of Good reporter Shannon VanRaes writes, but not on the charitable and non-profit sector. 

Social purpose organizations have expressed disappointment in the budget’s lack of support for the sector, particularly for queer- and trans-serving organizations and global development organizations. So we thought we’d ask 13 leaders to expand — by telling us what they’d rate the budget out of 10 for how well it addresses the needs of their communities, what they were happy to see included, and what they were disappointed by. 

The average wasn’t very high: just 4.75 out of 10 (excluding the two leaders who preferred not to give it a numerical score but did want to share feedback). 

Here’s why: 

Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.

‘Cúagilákv (Jess H̓áust̓i), Executive Director of Qqs (Eyes) Projects Society

Score: 6/10

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

I am excited by the strides being made toward resourcing and supporting organizations serving Black communities and I’m eager to see the transformative work to come from the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund and the Foundation for Black Communities. I’m hopeful that this signals a commitment to an equity-focused approach to carry us into the future.

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

While it’s great to see funding flowing to Indigenous-focused priorities, much of it is through political channels, and the reality is that Band Councils — which are inherently colonial bodies — are not the only people doing critical work to help Indigenous people thrive. Very often it’s Indigenous community organizations who are authentically responsive to community needs and filling critical gaps that are not addressed by colonial governments, including Band Councils. You can’t tackle economic development without addressing community development and I see little in the budget to uplift the many Indigenous community organizations who are the ones supporting our peoples to thrive.

Mark Abbott, Director of the Engineering Change Lab

Score: 5/10 for technology in the public interest, 7/10 for clean energy investments

What’s one thing you are happy to see included?

I’m happy to see a recognition of investing in technology for the public interest, such as in health, flooding [awareness], clean energy and smart cities. Technology is a wise investment and an important way to achieve public interest goals, as well as allowing us to reduce cost, improve quality and increase inclusivity. 

What is one thing you were disappointed by?

What is missing here is a deeper realization of what is going on in tech right now: generative AI. This is a massive transformation in society, and where does that fit into the budget? It seems a little behind the times – there are now articles about millions of jobs being displaced by AI, but the government is behind where the leading conversations in technology are. 

As we go about bringing in technology to solve today’s problems, we need to do it with a consciousness such that we are not creating a new wave of problems by throwing technology at existing problems. 

Fae Johnstone, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action

Score: 4/10 on queer and trans issues

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

Happy to see a commitment in the upcoming anti-hate strategy to include 2SLGBTQI+ communities. 

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

Last year, the federal government unveiled the 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan. Meant to be a whole of government plan to tackle 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, it came with an underwhelming budget with next to no role for departments other than WAGE. I was hoping the government would take this budget as an opportunity to expand their support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The fact that they didn’t tells me they’re not taking rising hate or the crises in our communities seriously. We need support. I’m thankful for what they’ve done, but 8 years in, it’s just not enough. 

I was also disappointed there were no funds included for a Special Envoy on International LGBTQI+ Human Rights. With anti-LGBTQI+ hate rising in the UK, US, Uganda and in other countries around the world, a social envoy is crucial to ensure Canada continues our leadership on queer and trans rights abroad. 

I would just stress that I am worried. We are seeing a staggering rise in hate targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and it doesn’t feel like our government is listening meaningfully. We have a window of opportunity for the federal government to act before we follow the path of the US and UK and see the gains we’ve made for queer people put at risk in a very real way. Queer people are scared right now. We need our government’s support now more than ever. 

Carol McBride, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada

Score: 4/10 

NWAC did not see any direct funding for the critical issues facing Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people particularly addressing MMIWG. Although we understand the fiscal restraints that the government is under, we must ensure MMIWG remains a top priority. Federal budgets are an important opportunity for the government to provide economic reconciliation. This budget fails short for our organization and the people we represent.

What’s one thing you are happy to see included?

We were happy to see that there will be a permanent Federal/Provincial/Territorial/ Indigenous table on MMIWG. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) hosted a successful table in January and I am pleased to see that this work will continue.

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

Pursuant to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Call for Justice 1. 8 calls for stable and equitable core funding as opposed to project funding for organizations such as NWAC. Therefore, we were disappointed not to see this call answered. NWAC is in dire need for stable and equitable core funding.

Our analysis is not completed but we are getting a sense that government is inflating their public service which is concerning given the needs of our communities.

Megan Conway, president and CEO, Volunteer Canada

Score: 3/10

Sadly, this budget falls significantly short in its capacity to support communities across the country. The lack of contribution to the growing volunteerism crisis is also a significant concern.  While there are solid measures that address some of the economic burdens, there is little to address the significant growing social deficit facing communities across Canada.  Without stable and consistent funding for social purpose organizations, there will be continued negative impacts on Canada’s poorest and most disenfranchised.  There is no mention of volunteers or charities in the budget.  And while the economic measures are, at best, aspirational, the social measures are seemingly largely inadequate.  Further, as we know from a recent Ipsos poll conducted in the fall, rising interest rates, inflation and affordability are causing at least 22% of Canadians to need access to charities for basic services—how does government expect charities to meet these services without basic support?  I’d give this budget a 3/10. 

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

I was pleased to see an increased focus on youth in this budget—especially consideration for future skill development initiatives for youth.  Investing in supports, skill development and training for youth will pay off longer term.  Further, the support for dental care is helpful in addressing barriers affecting Canada’s most vulnerable. 

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

I’m shocked by the heavy emphasis in this budget on the needs of individuals rather than the investment in communities.  The lack of balance between economic measures and social investments is deeply concerning. As a country that cares about our most vulnerable, we need to reconsider what a collective approach to solving problems and challenges might look like.  Economic investments that target individuals ignore the realities that people live in communities and that we need to boldy imagine what it means for communities to thrive in the near- and longer-term future. We need a bigger and bolder vision of Canada that supports everyone in ways that are compelling, inclusive and just.  

Mark Hancock, national president, Canadian Union of Public Employees 

Score: This budget gets a 6/10 from us. It’s a pass, but not by much.

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

We have to hand it to the federal NDP for using their leverage in this minority parliament to get $13 billion over the next five years for dental care for 6.5 million lower-income folks across Canada. It’s the single largest expansion of public health care in a generation, and it will mean much better health outcomes for millions of people.

 What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

If I can only choose one thing, it would be the total lack of seriousness about the housing crisis in this budget. Workers in this country need to be able to afford to live in the communities where they work, but over 1.5 million people in this country lack access to adequate, safe, affordable housing. With the inflation crisis and the rising cost of housing squeezing so many people, that number is certain to be increasing and this budget comes nowhere close to addressing this crisis at the scale required. And if I can only choose one more thing, it would be letting corporate profiteers off the hook yet again. This budget should have taken a stand against corporate greed by taxing excess profits to curb profiteering which, in turn, would save working people money on the cost of housing and everyday goods. It also would have meant better revenues to invest in services like health care.

Kate Cornell, interim director of public policy and advocacy, Imagine Canada

Score: 6/10

Unfortunately, Budget 2023 disappointed many in the nonprofit sector. If the government’s true intention is to build the resilience of the Canadian economy in the face of a possible recession, it also needs to future-proof the community and nonprofit sector. 

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

Imagine Canada was happy to see funding commitments for nonprofits serving equity-seeking communities such as women’s organizations and Black-led groups. Continued investment is crucial if the government plans to address the historical inequities faced by equity-seeking groups. We hope to see the government maintain and considerably build on these commitments in the years to come.

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

Imagine Canada is disappointed that many of the nonprofit sector’s recommendations, such as calls to increase international development spending, supports for 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and the creation of a Canada Mental Health Transfer, were ignored.  These omissions is yet another example of why we need a home in government to advise on federal policy development that will directly impact our sector.

Chantal Edwards, Manager, Public Policy at Imagine Canada, and Advisor at the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience

Score: 4/10

This budget’s commitments to digital technologies and data are less than satisfactory. After making advances in previous budgets, it’s disappointing to see the nonprofit sector left behind when many organizations could benefit from investments in digital technologies and improved data collection. 

What is one thing you are happy to see included?

We’re happy to see a reference to the Skills for Success program. It’s promising to see that the government is committed to helping Canadians improve foundational skills, especially those related to digital technologies. However, it’s unfortunate that this reference is a re-announcement of a prior budget commitment. No new money has been dedicated to this program. 

What is one thing you are disappointed by?

It’s disappointing to see the words “digital” and “technology” rarely mentioned. While we recognize the Finance Ministers need to exercise financial restraint, this budget is a wake-up call for nonprofits and charities. As a sector, we must play a leading role in advocating for investments in digital technologies and data collection, or we’ll be left out of the budget.

Tim Richter, President and CEO, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

Score: Unfortunately, the 2023 budget largely ignored Canada’s worsening housing and homelessness cries and failed to meaningfully support those in the greatest need.

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

We were pleased to see further funding for an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, which will help address housing for Indigenous peoples who don’t live on reserve. Indigenous peoples are drastically over-represented in homelessness statistics and this money could start to turn that around. However, the [$4 billion] over seven years promised in this budget is a fraction of what is required and that money must also go to an Indigenous-led organization. There were also some other tweaks around the edges that will make a difference to low-income people, including restrictions on predatory lending and expansion of automatic tax filing.

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

We were disappointed by most of the budget. Housing is one of the largest issues our country faces, yet it was mostly absent. There was no relief for the tens of thousands of Canadians who cannot pay rent each month. The crises of inflation, ongoing impact of the pandemic and loss of affordable housing, plus huge immigration, is creating a wave of new homelessness. The federal government completely ignored this and, unfortunately, this will create untold suffering as more and more people are forced from their homes due to economic circumstances beyond their control.

Kate Higgins, executive director of Cooperation Canada

Score: 3/10

What’s one thing you were happy to see included? 

I was happy to see a pie chart in the budget that shows a break down of projected International Assistance Envelope Spending for 2023-24 (chart 5.2).

What’s one thing you were disappointed by? 

I was disappointed that at a time of enormous needs globally, with compounding climate, hunger, conflict and human rights crises, the Canadian government failed to deliver on its promise to increase international assistance every year to 2030 and failed to announce any new investments in international assistance.

Louie Porta, Executive Director of Oceans North

Score: 7.2/10 

What were you happy to see?

An increase in incentives to decarbonize. Transportation is Canada’s second-largest source of emissions, and marine transportation is an often overlooked but important contributor. After the release of the Emissions Reduction Plan last year, the government is now rolling out even more spending and incentives for companies to reduce their carbon footprint. We’re particularly excited to see details on the Investment Tax Credit for Clean Hydrogen. 

Support for green shipping. When Minister Alghabra announced the Green Shipping Corridors Framework back in November, we were keen to see more action and money to bolster this important work. Budget 2023 commits $165.4 million to establish the program.

Commitments to improving Northern food security. Food security is a persistent issue in the North. The budget contains $10 million to top up the Local Food Infrastructure Fund—a re-announcement of a commitment made last year, but still welcome. Beyond topping up this fund, we hope the government will support conservation efforts that contribute to Northern food security by protecting important sources of country food. 

More support for endangered whales. Marine mammals are increasingly under threat due to habitat disturbances from climate change and increased vessel traffic. 

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

The overall lack of love for the ocean in this budget. Canada is flanked by three oceans and has the largest coastline in the world, yet measures to safeguard the ocean are scant in Budget 2023. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that Canada will deliver a robust Blue Economy Strategy with strong links to the Marine Decarbonization Strategy and the renewed Oceans Protection Plan. 

Jean-Marc Mangin, CEO, Philanthropic Foundations Canada

Score: 4/10

What’s one thing you were happy to see included?

Budget 2023 included several important tax incentives, investments, and funds to help Canada advance towards a strong net-zero economy and decarbonized future. This is commendable.

What’s one thing you were disappointed by?

We’re especially disappointed that there was no mention of a home in government for the sector in Budget 2023. A home for the non-profit and charitable sector within the machinery of government would be a modest cost financially, but would have massive long term positive impacts. It’s remarkable how poorly served the government is by its lack of knowledge of the non-profit and charitable sector, a uniquely large and powerful element of the economy and society. A home in government would provide much-needed information, advocacy, and a solid platform for collaboration, greater efficiency, and strengthening of the long-term resilience and ongoing impact of the sector.

Marco Campana, Communications and Digital Strategist for Immigrant and Refugee-serving organizations. 

Score: As I go through the Budget I find myself repeatedly saying, “Yes, but here’s what’s missing”. Giving it a number seems too simple.

What is one thing you are happy to see included?

Probably investing in better health care data. I tend to look to the health sector for examples of how we can harness data, secure technology, treatment of personal information, and interoperability in service delivery, for the broader nonprofit sector. We will hopefully be able to learn from investments here.

What is one thing you are disappointed by?

I’m most disappointed by what is missing when it comes to considering strong foundations in an increasingly digital government, economy, and community. As well as a lack of support in this area for more vulnerable Canadians and residents. In a budget that speaks to “Making Life More Affordable and Supporting the Middle Class”, we need to support those who truly suffer from affordability and a lack of access. Common chargers for your devices is nice, but is a micro-project compared with what actually needs to be done on digital inclusion. Things like addressing cost and access to high-speed internet, mobile data costs and device costs.

In the budget, there is discussion of “Skills for Success: Helping Canadians at all skill levels improve their foundational and transferable skills, like problem-solving and digital skills, through free training resources and online skills assessments.” With no details, no budget numbers, and no national digital inclusion strategy this is an empty investment. The budget indicates that investments have been made in this area since 2017, but they are clearly not having the necessary impact as the Auditor General recently pointed out.

Given that municipalities are the most active level of government on digital inclusion, expanding support to make the Smart Cities Challenge an Inclusive Smart Cities Challenge would be an interesting and welcome investment.

The reporters who worked on this story are Future of Good editorial fellows. Editorial fellowships are funded by partner organizations, but produce independent journalism. 

Brennan Doherty’s fellowship is funded by the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation. Gabe Oatley’s fellowship is funded by Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada. Ramona Leitao’s fellowship is funded by the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. Sharlene Gandhi’s fellowship is funded by Mastercard Changeworks. Tahmeed Shafiq’s fellowship is funded by Cooperators.

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