The Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society

The Government of Alberta has created the Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society, through the Minister of Community and Social Services. The Council “provides independent advice to government on its relationship with civil society organizations to help these organizations address pressing social issues across Alberta.”

The Council’s main responsibilities include: engaging civil society leaders to explore how civil society organizations can be empowered, consultations with civil society organizations on how the government can build their capacity, advising the government on how it impacts and influences civil society organizations and how to support social enterprises, and developing a framework for the government’s partnership with civil society.

The Council’s first task is advising on civil society’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council will offer advice on how the province can help at-risk Albertans during the outbreak, and support organizations that work with these individuals.

The Council members include 15 leaders with various experiences in the areas of philanthropy and fundraising, community development, volunteer sector, social services leadership, and social entrepreneurship. CCVO’s President & CEO, David Mitchell, will serve as a member of the Premier’s Council and engage in discussions on various social issues, challenges among social service agencies, and best ways to collaborate with the government to enhance the capacity of the nonprofit and charitable sector here in Alberta.

The Council members are as follows:

  • MLA Jeremy Nixon

  • MLA Martin Long

  • Wayne Chiu

  • Chris Christie

  • Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

  • Saifa Koonar

  • Dr. John Lilley

  • James McAra

  • David Mitchell

  • Dr. Joel Christie

  • Hyder Hassan

  • Joanne Mason

  • Ashif Mawji

  • Liz O’Neill

  • Michele Taylor

For the biographies of members appointed to the Council, please click here.

For more information about the role of the Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society, please click here.

CCVO will be following these developments and reporting back on the impact and involvement of nonprofits on this government initiative.

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