Each year, the Government of Canada asks people across the country to share their ideas, feedback, and recommendations as it begins the process of developing the federal budget for the following year

This call for input — known as the pre-budget consultations process — represents a crucial opportunity for Canadians to have a voice and advocate for a better future for everyone.

As Canada’s unifying force for social change in local communities, United Way Centraide Canada — representing a national network of United Way Centraides working in 5,000 communities in every region of Canada — submitted our response on August 2, 2024.

Situating United Way Centraide as a national network of local experts committed to bringing people and organizations together to meet immediate community needs — and tackle the complex social issues at the root of those needs, our recommendations prioritize a strong community services sector, agile social policies, and the role of 211 in building healthier, more inclusive communities.

Highlights of our recommendations for the 2025 federal budget include:

1. The government should support a strong, resilient community services sector.

The non-profit, charitable, and community services sector collectively employs three million people and plays a crucial role in uplifting the well-being of people and communities.

Our recommendations include a call for the government to help future-proof the sector by supporting a comprehensive, all-hands-on-deck national community services labour force strategy to recruit and retain workers.

2. The government should strengthen social policy and programs to ensure everyone can reach their full potential.

Canadians are grappling with rising inequality, income disparity in key sectors like childcare, and a historic housing crisis.

Our recommendations include specific strategies to address these intersecting crises, such as securing existing affordable rental homes, preventing poverty among people with disabilities through targeted benefits, enhancing investment to improve wages in the childcare sector, and more.

3. The government should leverage 211 to connect more community members to services and benefits.

Available 24/7/365 in over 150 languages, 211 is a free, confidential, navigation, crisis response, specialty helplines for anyone looking for community and social services close to home.

To extend the reach and impact of this vital service, we propose that the government leverage 211 as ready-to-go social infrastructure to better support specific populations, such as youth and seniors, and improve uptake among communities experiencing vulnerability.

Read our full submission online and share our recommendations widely with your network! Together, we can ignite decisive social change in communities across Canada.