For years, many nonprofit leaders have been calling for better representation within the federal government. The hope is for a sector that has as great an impact on government policies as it does on the people and causes it serves. In this episode, we delve into the campaign for a federal “Home in Government” for the charitable sector and how, if successful, this could improve nonprofits’ influence on policy that affects them directly and indirectly. We’ll also hear from the first Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits in British Columbia to find out more about her work, and how a Home in Government actually looks in practice. 

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Meet Our Guests in Order of Appearance 

Annika Voltan

Executive Director, Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS)

Annika Voltan is the Executive Director of Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS), where she works to develop the capacity and influence of the community impact sector. She was previously the Executive Director of Inspiring Communities where she worked to help grow the field of systems change through fostering activities related to nesting social change initiatives, evaluation and learning.

 

Niki Sharma

Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

PS Sharma was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Hastings in 2020 and is British Columbia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits. Niki is a lawyer and community builder dedicated to making life better for people. Her legal practice focused on representing Indigenous people, including residential school survivors. She is a passionate advocate for reconciliation. 

The Honourable Ratna Omidvar

Independent Senator for Ontario, Senate of Canada

In 2016, Ratna Omidvar was appointed to the Senate of Canada as an independent Senator representing Ontario. From 2018 – 2019, Senator Omidvar served as the Deputy Chair of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector. She is currently the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Senator Omidvar has over 30 years of experience working in the charitable sector at senior levels of management as well as serving as a board director and a volunteer with over 35 organizations.

Mark Blumberg

Partner, Blumberg Segal LLP

Mark Blumberg is a partner at the law firm Blumberg Segal LLP (Blumbergs) in Toronto and works almost exclusively advising non-profits and registered charities on their work in Canada and abroad. Mark has written numerous articles, is a frequent speaker on legal issues involving charity and not-for-profit law and is the editor of www.canadiancharitylaw.ca – Canadian website dedicated to news about the Canadian charitable sector as well as legal and ethical issues for Canadian charities operating in Canada or overseas. 

About your Host

Mary Barroll

President of CharityVillage

About your Host 

Mary Barroll, president of CharityVillage, is an online business executive and lawyer with a background in media, technology and IP law. A former CBC journalist and independent TV producer, in 2013 she was appointed General Counsel & VP Media Affairs at CharityVillage.com, Canada’s largest job portal for charities and not-for-profits in Canada, and then President in 2021. Mary is also President of sister company, TalentEgg.ca, Canada’s No.1, award-winning job board and online career resource that connects top employers with top students and grads. 

Resources from this Episode

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