Community Participation and Sense of Belonging: Insights from Recent Canadian Data

Recent national statistics from Statistics Canada provide a detailed look into community participation patterns and the sense of belonging among Canadians. These insights highlight evolving trends in volunteering, social connections, and the inclusivity of community life for diverse population groups.

According to findings from the 2023 Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating, there has been a measurable decline in community participation through volunteering over the last several years. The volunteering rate—encompassing both formal and informal activities—fell from 79% in 2018 to 73% in 2023. Additionally, the total hours volunteered dropped by 18%, from 5.0 billion in 2018 to 4.1 billion hours in 2023. Key demographic groups, such as women, young adults aged 25 to 34, and people with education below a high school diploma, experienced the largest declines in formal volunteering rates [Statistics Canada, 2024-25 Disaggregated Data Action Plan Accomplishments Report].

Sense of belonging and social connectivity remain important for community wellbeing. Data from the Survey Series on People and their Communities reveals that social connections can help mitigate the negative effects of discrimination, which was reported by 45% of racialized Canadians over the previous five years. Notably, among racialized Canadians who experienced discrimination, those with strong family or friend support networks reported significantly higher life satisfaction. For example, 47% of those with strong family connections and 49% with strong friend connections reported high levels of life satisfaction, compared to 33% overall among those who had experienced discrimination [Statistics Canada, 2024-25 Disaggregated Data Action Plan Accomplishments Report].

Community participation also intersects with caring roles within families and neighborhoods. The 2022 Time Use Survey found that parents who worked from home spent considerably more time with their children than non-teleworking parents, highlighting changing dynamics of community engagement within households. However, traditional gender differences in the amount of time spent on childcare tasks persisted, with mothers dedicating more daily time than fathers [Statistics Canada, 2024-25 Disaggregated Data Action Plan Accomplishments Report].

For many Canadians—especially those facing historical or systemic exclusion—community participation is closely tied to cultural continuity and social inclusion. For instance, a notable proportion of Indigenous families prioritize the transmission of language as a means to strengthen cultural connections, with two-thirds of Indigenous parents of children aged 1 to 5 expressing that knowing an Indigenous language is important for their children [Statistics Canada, 2024-25 Disaggregated Data Action Plan Accomplishments Report].

Overall, the latest national statistics reveal that while community participation as measured by volunteering has declined, personal networks and family connections remain essential to Canadians’ sense of belonging and satisfaction—especially for those experiencing discrimination. These findings have significant implications for community organizations, policymakers, and all those interested in strengthening Canada’s social fabric. For further data on civic participation, social networks, and related trends, Statistics Canada’s Society and Community Statistics Portal provides continually updated resources.