Statistics Canada has released a new report covering the economic contribution of the nonprofit sector, as well as important employment data from the sector. 

Real gross domestic product (GDP) of nonprofit institutions edged up 0.2% in the first quarter of 2021, after rising 2.4% in the third quarter of 2020 and 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020. With this increase, the sector recorded its’ highest level of GDP ever recorded since the quarterly series began in the first quarter of 2009, as nonprofit institutions serving governments continued to increase throughout the pandemic. The growth of the economy-wide GDP (+1.4%) outpaced that of nonprofit institutions.

Excluding nonprofit institutions serving governments, GDP declined 1.3% in the first quarter of 2021, following a 7.1% increase in the third quarter of 2020 and a 2.5% increase in the fourth quarter of 2020. Year over year, GDP was down 3.8% compared with the first quarter of 2020, as nonprofit institutions serving households and businesses continued to be impacted by in-person restrictions and lockdowns.

Employment declined 0.5% in the first quarter of 2021, with fewer jobs in education and research, and culture and recreation. Excluding nonprofit institutions serving governments, employment decreased 1.1%, as businesses were mandated to temporarily suspend in-person services throughout the country, following temporary openings in the fourth quarter of 2020 in several provinces. This compares to a 1.0% increase for the overall economy.

Employment in education and research declined 2.0% following a recovery in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Employment in post-secondary education remained lower than the first quarter of 2020, as education shifted online throughout Canada.

The number of jobs in culture and recreation declined 4.1% in the first quarter of 2021, attributable to mandatory closures impacting the arts, entertainment and recreation. Year over year, employment in the culture and recreation activity was down 7.8% compared to the first quarter of 2020.