Most Canadians Likely to Volunteer If a Small Time Commitment Needed (65%) or They Had An Extra Hour to Spare (55%)

Toronto, ON - Canadians appear willing to spend more time volunteering provided a smaller time commitment is needed, according to a new study conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Two in three (65%) Canadians say its `likely' (23% very/42% somewhat) that they'd volunteer if they could provide a small time commitment each week, while one in three (35%) say even this commitment is `not likely' (11% not at all/23% not very). A similar proportion (66%) is `likely' (24% very/42% somewhat) to volunteer if their schedule was less hectic, while a similar one in three (34%) say this is `not likely' (11% not at all/23% not very).

The data reveal that approximately three in ten (30%) Canadians currently volunteer in their community with seven in ten (70%) not volunteering and among those not volunteering, working around time constraints would be a big factor in them committing time to volunteer.

This is reflective of the six in ten (62%) Canadians who `agree' (24% strongly/38% somewhat) that `they are so busy that sometimes they feel that life is passing by, with four in ten (38%) `disagreeing' (16% strongly/23% somewhat).

Most of those who don't volunteer wish they actually could but, again, time appears to be an issue. Two in three (64%) Canadians who don't currently volunteer `agree' (15% strongly/49% somewhat) that `volunteering is something I wish I had the time to do', while roughly one in three (36%) `disagree' (12% strongly/24% somewhat) with this assessment. For these Canadians not giving back, once again, time is of the essence. Almost half (45%) indicate that a lack of time is the main reason why they don't currently volunteer.

A potential way to combat the effect of time constraints on volunteering is to allow more flexible options for giving back. Three in four (74%) Canadians `agree' (18% strongly/56% somewhat) that `charities need to do more to tailor volunteer opportunities to fit the busy schedule of Canadians', while only one in four (26%) `disagree' (7% strongly/19% somewhat).

What Canadians Would Do With an Extra Hour...

Given a spare hour every week, one in three (33%) say they would spend more quality time with family and friends, while one in five would exercise (17%) or sleep (15%). One in ten would finish up errands (13%) while fewer than one in ten would volunteer (6%) or work (4%). A further one in ten (11%) would do some other kind of activity.

A potential way to combat the effect of time constraints on volunteering is to allow more flexible options for giving back. Three in four (74%) Canadians `agree' (18% strongly/56% somewhat) that `charities need to do more to tailor volunteer opportunities to fit the busy schedule of Canadians', while only one in four (26%) `disagree' (7% strongly/19% somewhat).

A Rewarding Experience...

Allowing those who cannot afford the time costs of volunteering the chance to give back in smaller commitments could potentially allow them more rewarding and satisfying facets to their daily lives.

Among those Canadians who do currently volunteer in their community, seven in ten (70%) find volunteering `very satisfying' while three in ten (29%) find it `somewhat satisfying'. Only 1% of volunteering Canadians say that giving back to their community is `not very satisfying'.

More than four in five (84%) also `agree' (32% strongly/52% somewhat) that `volunteering provides a path to personal satisfaction and happiness', while fewer than one in five (16%) `disagree' (5% strongly/10% somewhat). More than nine in ten (96%) of current volunteers agree with this claim, while, and perhaps more interestingly, four in five (79%) of those not currently volunteering make a similar claim.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between September 19th to 24th, 2013 on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. For this survey, a sample of 1,011 Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points had all Canadians adults been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.