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Charity Donations by Canadians Drop to Lowest Level in 20 Years

Editorial

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7 months ago

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Charitable giving among Canadians has reached its lowest level in two decades, according to a new report from the Fraser Institute. The annual Generosity Index, released on Thursday, reveals that only 16.8% of Canadian tax filers claimed charitable donations in 2023. This decline comes as many Canadians grapple with rising costs of living, impacting their ability to contribute to charitable causes.

Jake Fuss, director of Fiscal Studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the study, noted that not only are fewer Canadians donating, but those who do are giving smaller amounts. “The holiday season is a time to reflect on charitable giving, and the data shows Canadians are consistently less charitable every year,” Fuss stated. He emphasized that this trend poses significant challenges for charities striving to support those in need.

Generosity Trends Across Canada

In 2023, the proportion of tax filers donating to charity fell to its lowest recorded level since 2003. This decline contrasts sharply with 2004, when over a quarter of Canadian tax filers contributed to charitable organizations. Furthermore, the average donation has decreased from 0.55% of annual income in 2013 to just 0.52% in 2023.

Despite the overall downturn, Manitoba emerged as the most charitable province, with 18.7% of tax filers donating an average of $2,855. This was closely followed by Ontario at 17.2%, Quebec at 17.1%, Alberta at 17%, and Prince Edward Island at 16.6%. In contrast, provinces such as Nunavut and the Northwest Territories exhibited significantly lower charitable participation rates, with only 5.1% and 10.2% of tax filers, respectively, making donations.

Grady Munro, policy analyst at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the study, remarked on the consequences of this trend. “This decline in generosity in Canada undoubtedly limits the ability of Canadian charities to improve the quality of life in their communities and beyond,” he explained.

Increased Reliance on Food Banks

Hunger Report published by Feed Ontario revealed that over one million residents in Ontario relied on food banks to feed their families. Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the average number of visits to food banks in Ontario rose by 13%, with individuals making approximately 8.7 visits during that period.

The report also highlighted that only one in three food bank users were accessing these services for the first time. Alarmingly, one in four were employed but still unable to make ends meet. Additionally, the number of seniors on fixed incomes using food banks has doubled in the past five years.

The findings from both the Generosity Index and the Hunger Report underscore a troubling reality: as more Canadians face financial hardship, the capacity for charitable giving declines, leaving many vulnerable individuals and families in challenging situations.

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