Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Comité permanent des ressources humaines, du développement des compétences, du développement social et de la condition des personnes handicapées

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 19, 2024 -

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket—Aurora and member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the Committee’s 25th report in the House of Commons.

Entitled Promoting and Encouraging Intergenerational Volunteerism, the report follows a motion adopted by the Committee on November 21, 2022. The motion required the Committee to undertake a study regarding the different ways that the government can promote and encourage intergenerational volunteerism between seniors and youth.

During its study, the Committee heard about the individual and societal benefits of intergenerational volunteering experiences involving youth and seniors. It also learned that individuals and organizations may face barriers in participating in or offering these experiences. In the report, the Committee makes six recommendations to the Government of Canada on ways to better facilitate intergenerational volunteerism in Canada, including through the development of a national volunteer action strategy; creation and dissemination of data on intergenerational volunteerism; investment in intergenerational volunteering through new or existing programming; support for volunteers; and increased awareness about intergenerational volunteerism programs.

The Committee is composed of 12 members of Parliament. It is chaired by Robert Morrissey (Egmont) and its vice-chairs are Louise Chabot (Thérèse-De Blainville) and Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country). The other members are: Scott Aitchison (Parry Sound—Muskoka); Chad Collins (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek); Michael Coteau (Don Valley East); Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster); Michelle Ferreri (Peterborough—Kawartha); Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre); Wayne Long (Saint John—Rothesay); Tony Van Bynen (Newmarket—Aurora) and Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam).