A new study suggests that Quebecers are much less generous than they would like to think.
The Fraser Institute released its annual report on charitable giving in Canada and the United States, showing that for the 15th year in a row, Quebecers ranked last in Canada, far behind the national average.
According to the report, Quebecers give 0.3 per cent of their income to charity, which is less than half the national average of 0.64 percent. Manitobans topped the list at 0.89 per cent of their income.
The argument is the study is based on tax receipts only, yet a recent poll by Leger Marketing that also took into account spontaneous donations received similar results -- once again, Quebecers gave half as much as other Canadians.
“We realized that even though they participated in several events, golf tournaments and gala dinners, they are still behind other Canadians, because they donate but in very small amounts,” said Amelie St-Pierre of Episode fundraising consulting firm.
Experts believe the lack of generosity is due to high taxes, generous social policies, and a culture of philanthropy that's still new to Quebec
What's troubling to charities is that Canadians are donating less across the board.
This year Centraide lowered its target after missing it last year, in part because its pool of donors is shrinking:
“Many headquarters are moving, baby boomers taking their pension, moving out of the workplace. Revenue is going down. That affects us as well,” said Anna Peresa, the Centraide president for Greater Montreal.
On the ground, however, demand remains the same or increases.
Sun Youth, for example, will feed 18,000 Montrealers in the lead-up to Christmas.
“What we see on a daily basis is a gesture of solidarity. Often people don't want to us to mention their name or a tax receipt. That to us is Quebecers on a daily basis,” said Tommy Kulczyk, director of emergency services for Sun Youth.
