Canadians say 'yes' to ethical gift giving for the holidays: Plan survey

2010 Plan Canada Ethical Gift Giving Survey results revealed

TORONTO, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - Canadians continue to be enthusiastic about the gift giving tradition during the holidays, but according to a new survey by international development organization Plan Canada, Canadians are widely receptive  to giving—and receiving—in a new way. The inaugural Ethical Gift Giving Survey released today revealed that while some are skeptical, over 65 per cent of Canadians are open to receiving an ethical gift, with that number increasing to 73 per cent among women.

The Plan Canada Ethical Gift Giving Survey explores Canadians' motivations and intentions when it comes to giving a holiday gift that gives back.

The survey also revealed that 36 per cent of Canadians have given an ethical gift at some point, showing widespread adoption of a still relatively new charitable giving option from Canadian charities. Those on the receiving end include friends or extended family members but overall most are giving ethical gifts to those closest to them, like spouses, parents and children.

"Our survey is a great affirmation of how socially conscious Canadians are, especially when it comes to choosing gifts for their loved ones," said Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada. "Year over year, we've seen a remarkable increase in ethical giving through our Gifts of Hope program. Ethical gifts don't have to replace traditional gifts; they can be a unique and meaningful complement to existing holiday traditions.

When it comes to families, an overwhelming 89 per cent of those surveyed agree that it's important for children to learn how to help others in need with 59 per cent of them acknowledging that they use the onset of the holiday season to teach children in their lives of the importance of helping others.

"We've seen time and time again the amazing power of children to effect change," said McCarney, "They have the capacity for so much generosity and compassion. We need only point them in the right direction and their energy and enthusiasm for the world around them will help bring about social change."

The survey also revealed that many Canadians still face a number of challenges when it comes to considering a non-traditional gift. Of those Canadians who've never given an ethical gift before, 49 per cent cited a basic lack of knowledge about ethical gift options and 20 per cent admitted to not knowing how to purchase them.

"Giving a Gift of Hope is as simple as it sounds," said McCarney. "Your gift directly impacts a child, mother or entire community, giving them hope for a better life and future."

Choosing an ethical gift over a traditional one this holiday season is easy. Gifts of Hope can be purchased over the phone at 1-800-387-1418 or online at plancanada.ca/gifts. Recipients will receive a greeting card letting them know about their personal gift and a tax receipt is issued to the giver.

In addition to the ever popular Gifts of Hope goats, mango saplings, and literacy training, Plan Canada has added 10 new items to their Gift of Hope catalogue, including:

• Art and Play Therapy in Haiti which for $25 goes towards covering art and play supplies used in Plan's Child Friendly Spaces to help children work through the trauma they've experienced since the earthquake in January.
• A Zambulance which for $150, covers the cost of a bike, a stretcher and a cart that when assembled, creates an off-road ambulance that is ideal to help navigate the rough roads of Zambia so that patients can safely be driven from their local village to the health clinic in town.
• An Endless Harvest which provides a family with seeds, farming tools and training in pest and farm management. For $40.00, your gift goes towards providing a family with the ability to feed themselves and their community.

Go to plancanada.ca/gifts to learn more about all the gifts this year.

Survey highlights:

• Nine out of 10 Canadians agree that the most important reason to give an ethical gift is because it goes towards helping others
• 65 per cent of Canadian would be happy receiving an ethical gift during the holidays (73 per cent among women)
• 36 per cent of Canadians have given an ethical gift at some point
• Of Canadians who have given ethical gifts, 77 per cent gave it to a family member
• British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces ranked highest among all provinces for most ethical gift givers (42 per cent each)
• 28 per cent of Canadians prefer receiving a traditional "store bought" gift rather than an ethical gift
• When Canadians were asked why they had never given an ethical gift:
• 49 per cent admitted to not knowing of any
• 20 per cent said they didn't know how to purchase one
• 8 per cent felt they were too expensive
• 23 per cent cited other reasons, including that they weren't convinced it would be appreciated by the recipient, that they'd never considered it before or that they felt it was unnecessary since they already donated to charities regularly

About the Survey

Methodology: From November 3 to November 4, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,024 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Plan Canada

Plan is a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries. Founded in 1937, Plan is now one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. For more information, visit plancanada.ca

For further information:

Media Contacts:

Kristy Payne
Public Relations and Media Manager
Plan Canada
Direct: 416-920-1654 ext 211
[email protected]

Ashley Curran
Veritas Communications
Direct: 416-847-2305
Cell: 647-967-1349
[email protected]