As part of our annual review, we would like to profile the many contributions — big and small — made by CCEDNet members over the last year to building stronger Canadian communities.
Please share your top highlight or accomplishment from 2015 (Try to keep it to a short quote of 25 words).
Thanks!
I admit that I have been on both sides of the debate about the definition of social enterprise: sometimes staunchly defending it as critical and essential, and at others times avoiding it as not pertinent and a waste of our time.
But now I realize it is important that we do define social enterprise. Because the argument is not about the meaning of social enterprise itself, it is not just about describing an alternative business model. Defining social enterprise is all about determining the values of the marketplace we wish to create.
In his new book Robert Reich, Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few helped me focus on the social enterprise debate. He argues that “The central choice is not between the “free market” and government; it is between a market organized for broadly based prosperity and one designed to deliver almost all the gains to a few at the top.” His goal to adjust the prosperity gap is great, but his method that if we change the rules, and let government direct the market then we can level the playing field, falls short.
Taxing the wealthy, limiting the power of banks, establishing a living wage, annual guaranteed incomes, and many other schemes for adjusting the current wealth distribution through government interventions are all valuable objectives, in the short term. But only using government rules and regulations to adjust the controls and influence the current private-wealth focused market will not offer an enduring solution.
Building a social value into the marketplace requires establishing the foundations of a business model that exemplifies a social impact principle. So insuring that the definition and measurement of social enterprise success includes both social impact and capital re-investment becomes emblematic of a dramatic shift in why and how we trade; and implicitly directs a social value result into our marketplace transactions.
Relying on government rule changes or letting any ‘good’ business be a social enterprise is just tweaking the underlying values the current marketplace. And in the long term, just tweaking the wealth-driven marketplace of capitalism will do as much good as assuring that the food banks are all well stocked!
To substantially and permanently address issues of poverty, social exclusion, and employment challenges requires adjusting the value base of the market itself.
We have to decide– will we regulate morality in a market that is based on trading in the pursuit of private wealth or use social enterprise to stimulate and fashion a market that creates a healthy local economy?
Originally published December 2, 2015 on http://asiccc.ca/
David LePage is a Principal with Accelerating Social Impact CCC, Ltd. (ASI), one of Canada’s first ever hybrid corporations. ASI CCC was created to serve and promote the emerging blended value business and social finance sectors. David works as a consultant, trainer and advisor with a cross section of social enterprises, social purpose businesses and social impact investors. He is a founder of Buy Social Canada, an initiative to promote social purchasing and social enterprise certification.
David is the Chair of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada. He serves as a Program Adjunct to the Sandermoen School of Business MBA in Social Enterprise Leadership. He is a member of the Social Enterprise World Forum Steering Group, the Canadian CED Network’s Policy Council, Imagine Canada’s Advisory Committee, and the BC Partners for Social Impact. He is also a Board member of the Vancouver Farmer’s Market and a Board member of Ethelo Decisions. David is the former Team Manager of enp-BC and played a lead role in the development of enp-Canada.
Following on the heels of the November 16 throne speech, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger made an announcement this morning at the annual LITE Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast that builds on a number of CCEDNet MB’s policy resolutions.
Establishing measurable targets and accountability are welcome steps forward toward more meaningful poverty reduction efforts in Manitoba. We look forward to continued work realizing this commitment to strong targets to improve the lives of Manitobans most affected by poverty.
Congratulations to LITE for hosting a wonderful community event in support of the Alternative Christmas Hamper and we look forward to the expanded scope on the SPP.
The news release can be found here.
Throughout the world people are building ‘another world’ – one that seeks to be in harmony with each other and with the earth.
The social solidarity economy is a movement and a framework that connects these ways of living, working, playing, creating and dreaming in order to fundamentally transform our social and economic world.
Come learn, share, debate, perform, live and experience the social solidarity economy.
Eventbrite Registration and Workshop Submissions are now open. We look forward to hearing from you. If possible, we ask that you go through Eventbrite.
However, if you prefer to download a hardcopy of these forms, please visit the Registration and Workshop Submission webpage.
The Canadian CED Network and the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC), are inviting workshop proposals for Canada’s leading national community economic development conference.
| Date: | May 18-20, 2016 |
| Location: | Hotel Bonaventure, Montréal, QC |
| Participants Expected: | 400 |
| Profile of Participants: | CED and social economy practitioners, representatives from community, business, government, charitable and education sectors and academics |
| Deadline for Proposals: | December 4, 2015 |
This year, conference organizers are inviting proposals specifically for three conference streams: Workforce Development, Community-Based Enterprises, and Community Development.
Within those three streams, sessions that address the following cross-cutting themes are also encouraged: Finance, Policy, Youth, Diversity & Inclusion, Arts & Culture, Technology, Climate Justice and the Environment, Rural and Remote Realities, Evaluating Impact and Complexity and Systems Thinking for Communities.
Workshop presenters will receive 50% off full registration to ECONOUS2016 or a free registration for the day of their session.
ECONOUS2016 builds on the long history of successful national CED conferences organized by CCEDNet and partners across the country between 2001 and 2010.
The conference will feature leading speakers, engaging sessions and tailored networking opportunities on the latest innovations in community enterprise, workforce development, and local economies that are creating sustainable prosperity for all.
In particular, ECONOUS2016 will:
This is an opportunity for people to connect, learn, and celebrate together. More than 3200 people have attended this event over the past 13 years in 7 conferences. This year, we expect to have 400 attendees from across the country including CED and social economy practitioners, representatives from community, business, government, charitable and education sectors and academics. There will be a wide range of workshops, optional site visits, networking opportunities, and social activities. All plenary sessions and keynote addresses will have simultaneous translation into French and English, as well selected workshops in each time slot. Additional workshops will be offered in both official languages.
We hope that you can join us in beautiful Montréal!
The call for proposals is structured based on the program and streams being offered. There are 3 workshop streams that will be filled through this call for proposals. Proposals for topics outside of these streams will also be considered.
Streams that will be filled through the Call for Proposals:
Within those three streams, sessions that address the following cross-cutting themes are also encouraged: Finance, Policy, Youth, Diversity & Inclusion, Arts & Culture, Technology, Climate Justice and the Environment, Rural and Remote Realities, Evaluating Impact and Complexity and Systems Thinking for Communities.
Workshops must include participatory design elements, using formats such as small group discussion, simulations, practice sessions, tool application, case studies, or success/failure stories among participants. Presenters will be asked to identify the level of their workshops as introductory, intermediate or advanced to help participants select appropriate workshop levels according to their needs. All workshops are 1.5 hours (90 minutes) long.
Diverse voices: ECONOUS2016 encourages proposals from diverse groups including (but not limited to) Indigenous peoples, youth (up to 30 years old), visible and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees.
Proposals will be reviewed by a Program Committee which will make recommendations based on the topic’s relevance, results being achieved, diversity of presenters, and attention to learning styles in workshop structure The final program selection will be made by the National Conference Planning Committee. A final program that offers a balance of formats, diverse representation and topics will be sought.
Please note: Even though a workshop proposal may satisfy conference criteria, it may not be selected due to the limited number of scheduled workshops.
If you have any questions about your proposal, you can contact Matthew Thompson, CCEDNet’s Communications Manager, at mthompson at ccednet-rcdec.ca
Are you spreading the holiday cheer this year? This guide is designed to help extend the reach of that cheer through encouraging thoughtful buying and giving.
We have compiled some creative gift ideas and shopping guides to provide you with the tools and information you need to have a CED-filled holiday season. See anything missing from this list? We will be adding more tips between now and Christmas so don’t hesitate to send your additions to communications at ccednet-rcdec.ca.
Use the Social Enterprise Marketplace to Find Gifts from Social Enteprises
Interested in buying from social enterprises this holiday season? Check out this online marketplace from the Social Enterprise Canada to research social enterprises by name, industry, location and/or the social purpose they achieve. [more]
Social Enterprise Holiday Gift Ideas from SEontario.org
This holiday season why not make a purchase that won’t just make the receiver happy, but will also benefit Ontario, and your local community? Throughout the month of December SEontario will be showcasing different Social Enterprises [SE], and SE Marketplaces that you can purchase your holiday gifts from. [more]
Join the Social Purchasing Portal’s Holiday Shopping Bus Tour in Winnipeg
Find unique gifts for the holidays and make a difference with your dollar! Join this shopping tour of Winnipeg and be part of the movement to support the local economy [more]
Co-operative Gift Bundle
Buying gifts for the holidays can be an ethical statement that helps build a new economy. The Toolbox for Education and Social Action put together their most popular items with the best—and most delicious—gifts produced by the co-op movement. [more]
Get the Facts on Shopping Local for the Holidays
To illustrate the ways that local businesses are growing in popularity, delivering stronger economic returns, and expanding in numbers, the Advocates for Independent Business, a coalition of 14 groups coordinated by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, put together this infographic. [more]
Infographic: 12 Reasons to Give the Gift of Local This Holiday Season
Of course, shopping at local, independent businesses is an important way to strengthen local economies. The folks at Local First Toronto have prepared a poster with 12 Reasons to Give the Gift of Local This Holiday Season [more]
BC Buy Local Week 2015 – November 30-December 6, 2015
LOCO BC’s annual Buy Local Week falls on the first week of December – what better time to buy your local Christmas gifts! The BC Buy Local campaign makes BC-based businesses, products, food and wines more visible to consumers. [more]
“Both the Buy Local campaign and Buy It Forward encourage people to think about how they can vote for the communities and the province that they want by spending money a little differently.” [more]
Proposals are now being accepted to host the 2017 National CED Conference! Any CCEDNet members and partners interested in hosting the 2017 conference are invited to submit a proposal.
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A supplementary document with background information on previous conferences and typical responsibilities of CCEDNet and host partners is available upon request by emailing mthompson at ccednet-rcdec.ca
Completed proposals must be sent by January 15, 2016 to mthompson at ccednet-rcdec.ca
The successful host for the 2017 event will be announced at ECONOUS2016 in Montréal, May 18-20, 2016.
If you have any questions feel free to contact Matthew at the email above.
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) congratulates Monique F. Leroux on her election as President of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). Ms. Leroux was nominated by CMC and her candidacy received the support of our members.
The election was held during the ICA Global Conference in Antalya, Turkey, on November 13. Ms Leroux was elected to serve the remaining two-year mandate of outgoing President Dame Pauline Green who is retiring after six years of service to the co-operative movement. Ms. Leroux was elected from a competitive field of four candidates, the most ever to seek the position in the organizations 120-year history.
“The entire Canadian delegation joins me in congratulating Monique Leroux on her election. There was a great field of candidates for the ICA presidency and she should be very pleased with her victory” stated CMC President Jack Wilkinson upon hearing the results. “Canada has a long tradition of co-operative values and is a big supporter of the ICA. With Monique Leroux at the helm we have confidence that the ambitious goals of the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade will be accomplished” concluded Mr. Wilkinson.
Monique F. Leroux served on the founding board of CMC with Jack Wilkinson in 2014 and was part of the team that negotiated the historic coming together of the Francophone and Anglophone national co-operative associations in Canada in 2013. Ms. Leroux is also the past President of Conseil québécois coopération et mutualité and under her leadership, co-operative and mutual networks in Quebec launched an integrated strategic plan for co-op development.
As President and CEO since 2008, Monique Leroux has championed the Desjardins Group and other Canadian co-operatives both nationally and internationally. Under Ms. Leroux’s leadership, Desjardins co-hosted the International Summit of Co-operatives in Quebec City in 2012 and 2014 with a 3rd Summit planned for 2016. As the largest financial co-operative group in Canada with one of the strongest balance sheets in the world, Desjardins ranks as the 5th largest financial co-operative according to the World Co-operative Monitor. Ms. Leroux will step down as head of the Desjardins Group in April 2016.
Monique Leroux is the first Canadian ever elected as President of the ICA. To learn more about Ms. Leroux’s plans and priorities, please read her full platform at moniqueleroux.coop.
About CMC: Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada is the national, bilingual association for co-operatives and mutuals in Canada. Through advocacy with the federal government, CMC provides a knowledgeable voice committed to improving the economic and regulatory environment for co-operatives and mutuals on behalf of our members. CMC’s members come from many sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, agri-food and supply, wholesale and retail, housing, health, forestry, education, funeral services, public utilities and community development. CMC provides leadership to support, promote, and develop the co-operative economy in Canada. The co-operative and mutual movement in Canada counts more than 18 million memberships from approximately 9,000 co-operative and mutual enterprises.
SOURCE: Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
The Canadian Worker Co-op Federation (CWCF) and the General Confederation of Cooperatives and participatory societies (CGSCOP) of France have signed an economic agreement between France and Canada, regarding shared knowledge and expertise in the worker cooperative movement.
The agreement, made by the two apex organizations representing worker cooperatives in Canada and in France, principally aims to increase the organisations’ expertise in accompanying business organizations for business succession to worker cooperatives.
“Employees, in many cases, are able to collectively buy the company that employs them, particularly in the event that an employer could not identify an external buyer. With support, employees can become coowners, co-investors and co-managers,” says Alain Bridault, President of CWCF.
France has a good head start on Quebec and the rest of Canada in this matter. Indeed, CGSCOP coordinates annually up to 50 business ownership transfers to employees as a “cooperative and participatory society” (“SCOP”), the equivalent of a worker co-op in Canada. “Without a doubt, the Canadian experience will increase our expertise. With this first agreement, we mutually commit to share the best practices we have observed and documented. We are certain that this transatlantic partnership will be collectively enriching”, said the President of the CGSCOP, Patrick Lenancker.
This form of ownership is far from being new in Canada. There have been several successful takeovers by the workers, one of the most impressive successes undoubtedly being the Quebec ambulance co-operatives with total turnover of over $90 million and representing 75% of the pre-hospital transportation in the province, with the exception of the city of Montreal. In Quebec, the cooperatives of the St-Hubert Rotisserie in Laval, radio stations M-105 Granby and CHNC in Gaspésie, as well as the Promo-Plastik cooperative in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, and the Careforce Home care Cooperative in Nova Scotia are other shining examples.
“We have already proven many times that the social economy is a reliable and durable solution to financial insecurity. Now we need to concretely demonstrate to the population and to workers that worker co-ops are the business model of the future,” say both Bridault and Lenancker. They add: “This shared knowledge will help maintain thousands of jobs over the coming years.”
Le Réseau de la coopération du travail du Québec (Quebec Worker Co-op Network) will be one of the principal beneficiaries of this agreement, and agrees with CWCF and CGSCOP. “This agreement with France will allow us to extend our expertise by sharing practical methods and tools. Concretely, it will allow us to provide a more effective approach when supporting a business transitioning to being a worker cooperative in Quebec” adds Pierre Charette, President of the Réseau.
The agreement was signed simultaneously in Montreal and Paris via a video conference at the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Exports of Quebec in Montreal.
About the Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation
The CWCF’s mission is to strengthen our worker co-ops; support the development of new worker co-ops; represent the Canadian worker co-op movement in Canada and internationally, and strengthen the Federation. The Quebec federations of worker cooperatives, including le Réseau de la cooperation du travail du Québec, are also CWCF members to promote this model internationally.
About the General Confederation of cooperatives and participatory societies
CGSCOP aims to accompany the French cooperative societies of production in the stages of creation, takeover and business transformation. It represents the interests of its members in the various European jurisdictions.
In France, the term “SCOP” is used to describe a worker cooperative.
| Source | Canadian Federation of Worker Cooperatives and General Confederation of cooperatives |
| Information | Alexandre Banville Cooperative communication Belvedere abanville at coopbelvedere.com 514 772-2984 |
Join us for virtual regional member meetups! This is an opportunity to connect with other CCEDNet members, Board members and staff in your region, discuss opportunities and challenges, and ask questions. New members are particularly welcome. Click on the links below to RSVP for your regional member meetup.
Atlantic Member Meetup | January 13th at 11am Atlantic Time
Northern Member Meetup | January 13th at 12pm Eastern Time
Ontario & Québec Member Meetup | January 13th at 2pm Eastern Time
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Member Meetup | January 14th at 11am Central Time/10am Mountain Time
Francophone Member Meetup | January 14th at 10:30am (new time!) Eastern Time
British Columbia Member Meetup | January 14th at 12:00pm Pacific Time
If you’d like to attend but can’t make the meeting for your region, or if you have any questions, please contact Matthew Thompson at mthompson at ccednet-rcdec.ca
The Canadian CED Network – Manitoba (CCEDNet – Manitoba) welcomes the Government of Manitoba’s Speech from the Throne, delivered November 16, 2015. This indication of government priorities for the final session of the 40th Legislature commits 
to supporting multiple areas of work for CCEDNet – Manitoba members, including:
We are pleased with these initiatives that will support the inclusive and sustainable communities that our membership works for every day.
There is always more to do, and we hope there may also be support for CCEDNet – Manitoba member priorities that were not mentioned in the Throne Speech like a commitment to develop a provincial food policy council, increasing supports for co-operative housing development, and adoption of a living wage policy.
The global labour market is becoming more competitive, creating a serious challenge for employers seeking to hire the talented and productive workers they need to drive their businesses forward. In an effort to confront this growing challenge, the world’s most innovative companies are adopting social value business strategies aimed at minimizing risk to their workforces and gaining a competitive advantage in the world marketplace. In so doing they contribute materially to many of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development – a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a sustainable world – unanimously adopted by the 193 member countries of the UN last week.
How so? Whereas traditional businesses perceive poverty and other social issues as extraneous problems unconnected to their day-to-day operations, today’s leading companies adapt their business models to cultivate vibrant and resilient communities, which improves their corporate reputations, reduces supply chain costs, increases revenues and widens profit margins. The savviest companies build social value right into their HR hiring practices. Understanding that long-term financial prosperity depends on sustaining a productive and cohesive workforce, these businesses choose to hire strategically from the distinctive social, economic and cultural groups living in their local communities – an innovative practice that strengthens their corporate profiles and reduces their recruitment and human resource costs.
Local hiring of this kind is changing the way transformational companies support and engage the people who make and purchase their products. These companies realize that local labour markets offer opportunities to hire workers who are motivated to excel in the workplace but who have been excluded from the traditional labour market because of disabilities, lack of experience, language barriers, and other cultural and socio-economic impediments.
Aboriginal people, people living with disabilities, new Canadians, people recovering from addictions and other disadvantaged people seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce can offer transformational companies a competitive advantage in the tightening labour market. The reason for this is simple. People from these groups can exhibit better work performance and a deeper commitment to their jobs and companies than other workers. Human Resources professionals are wise to recruit people from these distinctive social groups.
Research demonstrates that in addition to making a direct contribution to poverty reduction and social inclusion, companies that hire people with employment barriers gain a number of direct business benefits, including lower recruitment costs, reduced staff turnover, enhanced brand reputation and increased productivity.
Creating inclusive workplaces with a diverse workforce enables companies to mirror their communities, better connecting them to the customers who buy their products. Integrating social values with business goals through Community Hiring creates cascading ‘win-win’ opportunities for social value companies and the people living in their communities. While employees benefit from decent jobs and an improved standard of living – advancing economic prosperity and stabilizing the community – the companies that employ these people gain valuable local expertise and insights into new markets, creating innovative ideas that can lead to more inclusive design opportunities.
People’s expectations are changing. The long-held belief that businesses stand apart from their communities, their social role limited to providing jobs and making charitable donations, no longer applies in today’s marketplace. The world’s most innovative and transformational businesses understand that their role in society has evolved. For this reason I encourage Chief People Officers seeking to create and sustain a dynamic labour force to read my Community Hiring Guide, which outlines the steps necessary to design and implement an effective and profitable Community Hiring strategy that benefits both employers and the workers and customers who live in their local communities. You’ll also find several helpful employer’s toolkits and illustrative case studies.
For those interested in a broader social role for business check out this Social Value Business Guide which provides advice and action plans to accelerate solutions to poverty, social injustice and inequality and hasten progress on the UN Global Goals.
Originally published September 28, 2015 on LinkedIn
Coro Strandberg is a Canadian pioneer, thought leader and visionary in marketplace innovation to advance social, environmental and financial progress. She works with businesses, governments and industry associations to create strategies and pursue business models to address social and environmental risks and opportunities that propel society towards a sustainable future. She regularly publishes research, tools and guides on sustainability and corporate social responsibility leadership on her website.
Coro has a tri-sector background in business, government and non-profit leadership working in social, environmental and financial roles. She has 20 years of experience as a Corporate Director, three as Board Chairperson and 6 years of industry association experience.
