Secretariat for Community Non-Profit Organizations

New era of partnership between government and non-profit sector (08/03/28)

NB 367

March 28, 2008

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The province will revitalize its partnership with community non-profit organizations as the main focus of the government's response to Blueprint for Action, the report of the Premier's Community Non-Profit Task Force.

(Multimedia)

Carmel Robichaud, minister responsible for Community Non-Profit Organizations, said the new relationship will ensure that groups receive stable, multi-year funding; work to reduce red tape and supplies costs; and build better communications between government and non-profit groups.

"With this response, entitled Delivering on the Blueprint, the Government of New Brunswick is committing itself to work in true partnership with the non-profit sector to accomplish our mutual goal of creating a province that is more just, compassionate, progressive and, ultimately, self-sufficient for all," Robichaud said.

In its report, the premier's task force, chaired by Claudette Bradshaw, called on government to establish a revitalized partnership with the voluntary and non-profit sector. This partnership would require improvements in the respect and recognition the sector receives from all areas of government.

Robichaud said the key to improving this relationship is the establishment of the Secretariat for Community Non-Profit Organizations.

"The secretariat is a new voice for non-profits at the cabinet table and within government, and is working to facilitate a better working relationship between individual departments and their non-profit partners," Robichaud said. "Guided by an advisory board drawn from the provincial non-profit sector, the secretariat will be a key point of contact for these organizations within government on policy development, information sharing, and capacity building within the sector."

Other recommendations addressed in the response include:

• government will move toward multi-year funding to give more predictability to organization budgets;
• a process will be put in place to allow for non-profits to retain a budgetary surplus by the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year;
• the Province will be willing to work with the sector to create a program to provide interest-free loans for capital costs related to the acquisition, repair or renovation of property used for service delivery;
• government will work to reduce red tape for non-profits, reduce the number of required forms, and simplify remaining forms and other information requirements;
• government will promote the value and importance of the voluntary sector in the public service and, in collaboration with the sector, promote voluntary activity and awareness among New Brunswickers in general; and
• government will work with the sector to promote and sustain a culture of volunteering in the province. This will include increasing protection for volunteers and organizations, and increased emphasis on civics education in schools.

Robichaud noted that New Brunswick is the first province in Canada to provide non-profit organizations with multi-year funding.

"Our government is grateful for the countless hours of volunteer work that are done each day by New Brunswickers to make our province a better place to live," Robichaud said. "This response provides our province with a clear, actionable plan to fulfil the recommendations provided by the Blueprint for Action. Just as individuals and groups come together to achieve change, so must we in government come together with the non-profit sector. As the third pillar of our society and economy, the non-profit sector will play an important role in achieving self-sufficiency for New Brunswick."

08/03/28

MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Chouinard, Communications New Brunswick, 506-444-2519.

08/03/28