Among Canadians, prairie residents are the most generous in donating to charities, according to an analysis of charitable giving conducted by the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute.
Manitobans are the most generous, followed by Saskatchewan and Alberta residents, according to the December report.
Quebec residents are the least generous to charities among provinces, although residents of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut contribute the least.
However, in this season of generosity and giving, the Canadian news is hardly uplifting. Residents of the United States are far more generous.
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Even as Canada’s most generous province, Manitoba still ranks just 35th in North America, surpassed by 34 American states with Utah at the top of the generosity heap. Alberta and Saskatchewan ranked in a tie for 45th.
New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Quebec, and the three northern territories held down six of the lowest eight generosity ratings.
The numbers came from an analysis of provincial and state income tax returns and claims for charitable donation credits.
Charles Lamman, resident scholar in economic policy at the Fraser Institute in Vancouver, said in an interview there is no breakdown in the Canadian data about givings in rural and urban areas.
However, one trend is clear.
Canadian charitable donations have been falling.
In 2005, 25.1 percent of Canadians claimed charitable donations. In 2011, it was 22.9.
In 2006, Canadians donated on average 0.81 percent of their income to registered charities. By 2011, it was 0.64 percent.
“There’s been a downward trend in the proportion of Canadians donating to registered charities and the share they donate,” Lamman said. “This decline in charitable giving limits the ability of Canada’s private charities to serve those in need. Had Canadians donated in 2011 at the same rate as in 2006, Canada’s charities would have received an additional $2.3 billion in private donations.”
He said with matching funds, that could have translated into $11.1 billion.
