On the Mend: Putting the Spark Back Into the Government-Charitable Sector Relationship

Produced by the Mowat Centre at the School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto.The recent concerns over the “advocacy chill” highlighted systemic problems in the relationship between the government and sector. The newly elected federal government has given the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Department of Finance the mandate to clarify the rules governing political activity and develop a new legislative framework to “strengthen the sector”. But mending the sector-government relationship will require transformational shifts that go beyond legislative changes and CRA rules. Partnership and the ability to work collaboratively across government departments and with outside partners will be crucial. Good evidence-based research can help the government deliver on its promises and guide the process of partnership building towards a shared goal of enabling social impact