This research project is part of a larger body of research being completed under the title of Creating Policy to Support Social Enterprise Development in Manitoba. The thesis of the larger research project is stated as follows in the project’s scope of work: The thesis of the research is that other jurisdictions have created large scale, viable social enterprises that meet CED principles, whereas Winnipeg has tended to create small, grant dependent social enterprises while following the same principles. The research will test this thesis, examine the factors that have led to success elsewhere, and draw conclusions about how to replicate the success of other jurisdictions in Winnipeg.
CCEDNet is excited by the CRA’s initiative to address recent issues of accountability and appropriate activity for charities in Canada. We feel that this is a great opportunity to build stronger relationships and trust between the public and charitable organizations and to better articulate acceptable charitable fundraising activities.
Fundraising activities are extremely important to the work and sustainability of charities and the Income Tax Act must reflect this reality while also outlining what is acceptable within the fundraising activities of charitable organizations. We feel strongly that no responsible charity would deny that the public has a right to know as clearly as possible how the finances of a charity work, particularly as to how a charity disburses its revenue for charitable purposes as distinct from its administrative and fund-raising costs.
CCEDNet has reviewed the CRA’s Proposed Policy and Backgrounder as well as many of the briefings of other involved organizations and key players. We have also sent out a briefing to our members whose feedback has helped to inform our response. We encourage the CRA to take the time to review this response and all other submitted responses, and to continue seeking the input of those who have not been included in current and previous discussions.
Recommendations for the Federal Government on Community Economic Development and the Social Economy
Five major networks – the Canadian Co-operative Association, the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Chantier de l’économie sociale, Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité, and the Conseil Canadien de la Coopération – representing thousands of co-operatives, community-based organizations, and non-profit enterprises across the country, propose a new partnership between communities and the Canadian government to build a stronger economy, invest in sustainable communities, and tackle poverty.
With our economy under stress from the growing downturn in the United States and the continuing pressures of globalization, we believe that now – more than ever – Canada needs stronger policies for community economic development (CED). A commitment by the Government of Canada to support CED and the social economy will allow Canada to join the growing number of countries around the world that have adopted policies to support this rapidly growing movement.
Through our networks rooted in every region of Canada, we have seen how community economic development can help to create resilient communities. Social economy enterprises and organizations, both co-operative and non-profit, have been successful in responding to local needs, including housing, health, environment, agriculture, culture, recreation, tourism, and childcare.
People working together to deal with common economic and social problems can have a powerful positive impact on rural, urban and Aboriginal communities. In many communities, businesses are closing down or moving away while community-led social economy organizations remain rooted, delivering valuable services, creating opportunities, and maintaining jobs.
Our impact is far-reaching. Canada’s co-operative sector has assets of $250-billion. Canadians have more than 17 million memberships in co-operative organizations and the sector provides over 150,000 jobs. In 2001, the GDP of the core non-profit sector amounted to $25.4-billion, representing 2.5% of the overall economy. This share increases to $80.3-billion or 6.8% of GDP when hospitals, universities and colleges are included.
Recommendations include:
A Greater Role for Social Enterprise in Economic Revitalization
Support for New and Emerging Co-ops
Sustainable Support for Community Economic Development (CED) Organizations and Community Capacity Building
Support for Technical Resources and Expertise for Enterprising Non-Profits
Access to Capital
A National Anti-Poverty Strategy with Targets, Timetables and Resources.
To download the full document, including expanded information on the recommendations, please click here>>
Prepared by Nicole Chaland (CCEDNet) and Lorenzo Magzul of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network for the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association
Within a CED approach, housing initiatives can strengthen neighbourhoods by rehabilitating or adding to housing stock, while also contributing to social inclusion and cohesion, social capital, employment opportunities, access to services and an improved quality of life for residents. The active participation of residents in all aspects of the design and implementation of a housing strategy for a neighbourhood renewal ensures that the initiative responds to, and is suitable to, local situations. Importantly, with its focus on redirecting economic and social benefits to community members, CED can play an important role in protecting neighbourhoods and residents from the unintended negative consequences of gentrification.
The current statutory regime governing not-for-profit corporations in
Ontario requires updating. The original version of the statute, the
Corporations Act (CA), was created in 1907 and was last substantially
revised in 1953. Since that time, there have been no significant
revisions to the CA. Concerns have been raised that the CA is
antiquated, cumbersome and does not statutorily meet the requirements
of the modern not-for-profit sector. At present, there are over 50,000
not-for-profit corporations active in Ontario under the CA.
The objective of the reform is to respond to the realities of the
not-for-profit sector in the 21st century by creating a new stronger
legal framework for members of not-for-profit corporations, those who
utilize not-for-profit services and contributors to charitable
initiatives.
To find out more about the Modernization of the Ontario Corporations
Act, join us for a tele-learning session on Wednesday, September 17th
at noon. Come hear Lynn Eakin from the Ontario Nonprofit Network and
share your opinions with many other participants across the province.
We recommend that you confirm your attendance soon, as space is limited.
Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health
August 28, 2008 – These “social determinants of health” have been the focus of a
three-year investigation by an eminent group of policy makers,
academics, former heads of state and former ministers of health.
Together, they comprise the World Health Organization’s Commission on
the Social Determinants of Health. Today, the Commission presents its
findings to the WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan.
“(The) toxic combination of bad policies, economics, and politics is,
in large measure responsible for the fact that a majority of people in
the world do not enjoy the good health that is biologically possible,”
the Commissioners write in Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health. “Social injustice is killing people on a grand scale.”
“Health inequity really is a matter of life and death,” said Dr Chan
today while welcoming the Report and congratulating the Commission.
“But health systems will not naturally
gravitate towards equity. Unprecedented leadership is needed that
compels all actors, including those beyond the health sector, to
examine their impact on health. Primary health care, which integrates
health in all of government’s policies, is the best framework for doing
so.”
Sir Michael Marmot, Commission Chair said: “Central
to the Commission’s recommendations is creating the conditions for
people to be empowered, to have freedom to lead flourishing lives.
Nowhere is lack of empowerment more obvious than in the plight of women
in many parts of the world. Health suffers as a result. Following our
recommendations would dramatically improve the health and life chances
of billions of people.”
Senate Report on Rural Poverty & Poverty, Housing and Homelessness
Rural Poverty: Recommendations include renewing the Social Economy Initiative, endorsing the Co-op Housing strategy, CDI renewal, targets for rural poverty reduction, rural broadband initiatives and CAP funding, a study on guaranteed annual income, housing initiatives, literacy funding renewals, support for CFDCs and expanding micro-credit options, support for new and expanding credit unions, and much more. Read the report here>>
Poverty, Housing and Homelessness: Recommendations on Income Support Systems, Facilitating a Transition from Social Assistance to Self-Sufficiency and Making Work Pay, Poverty Beyond Money, Housing, Machinery (Government Infrastructure) and more. Read the report here>>
On behalf of the Canadian CED Network, Coast Capital Savings and the Vancity Community Foundation it is with great pleasure that we introduce the recipients of the 2008 Bursaries for the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals.
All of the applicants have our sincere thanks and respect for the work they do, re-localizing and democratizing BC’s economy, one community at a time.
The 2008 Bursary Award Winners are:
RICHMOND
• Brian Campbell, at the Richmond Food Security Task Force, will be developing social enterprises related to food sustainability and enhancing the viability of Richmond Pocket Markets. http://richmondfoodbank.org/
NANAIMO
• Jessica Chenery will be developing The First Feast (Food Enterprise and Skills Training) which will create economic opportunities for Aboriginal women in B.C. in small scale food production with the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of British Columbia
VICTORIA
• Rosalyn Cua will be developing a multi-media social enterprise for Anti-dote: Multiracial Girls and Women’s Network, where she is the incoming president. Anti-dote is committed to increasing the well-being of racialized and Indigenous women and girls. http://www.antidotenetwork.org/
VICTORIA
• Brian Hill, currently Executive Director at Victoria’s Child and Family Counseling Association is spearheading three exciting CED projects including an Office Co-operative for Non-profits, Affordable Youth Housing and Adult Community Living Services.
VANCOUVER
• Maggie Kasekende, will apply her studies to a new project with Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House called Building Welcoming and Inclusive Neighbourhoods , which focuses on how welcoming neighbourhoods can help newcomers and established immigrants to integrate to their new community.
ABBOTSFORD
• Kevin Koopmans, currently working with Community Futures South Fraser will support the newly launched Vibrant Abbotsford which has a mandate to reduce poverty through systematic change to community conditions. http://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/
NEW WESTMINSTER
Jaimie McEvoy is the project coordinator for the hospitality project which brings together local churches of different denominations for joint activities such as a clothing exchange, Family Place for children under six, community kitchen, and advocacy. Jaimie will assist the hospitality project to diversify their revenue stream by exploring social enterprises.
VANCOUVER
• Brian Postlewait, currently Executive Director at Mission Possible, an organization in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, will be using this opportunity to help steer his organization to implement their new mandate which is to deliver meaningful work, safe and secure housing, and a supportive community to those experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction. Brian will be exploring the development of a social enterprise to provide training opportunities. www.mission-possible.ca
SURREY
• Hans Rosenow, will assist the Phoenix Society develop a community centre that will provide opportunities for people recovering from addictions to build financial, physical, human, social and personal assets. www.phoenixsociety.com
VANCOUVER
• Amar S. Virk, with Building Opportunities for Business (BOB), will be supporting a development model that is inclusive of Downtown Eastside residents and coordinating a Social Purchasing Portal. BOB is a non-profit organization with the goal to support local business development and increase job opportunities for inner-city residents. www.buildingopportunities.org
We hope you will join us in congratulating the 2008 bursary recipients.
The SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals has been training problem-solvers and change agents since 1999. Our students are managers of Community Futures Development Corporations, program officers of non-profits and neighbourhood associations, economic development officers of municipal and First Nation’s governments and individuals looking to specialize in CED. The eight two-day courses – all taught by experienced practitioners – put tools, knowledge, resources and networks immediately into the hands of our students. For more information about the program, click here
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is proposing to revise legislation (Income Tax Act) affecting charities. CCEDNet is studying this issue to gain a better understanding of how this might affect charities in Canada. CRA is accepting comments on this issue until August 31 and we encourage you to submit a response. CCEDNet is also drafting a response and we would love to hear your feedback. Please send your comments to Matthew Thompson at .
CRA’s intents around revising the Income Tax Act in regards to the fundraising activities of charitable organizations are unclear. The likely cause is the more recent discoveries and public inquiry into fraudulent charitable activities and the use of charitable funds to support terrorist groups. Certainly, charitable organizations can stand to benefit from better legislation and regulation that would help preserve public goodwill towards charities. However, changes to legislation could also potentially create extraneous barriers to the activities of Canadian charities.
A brief background on the legislation currently in effect
The Income Tax Act in Canada sets out the scheme whereby registered charities are exempt from tax on their income and entitled to issue official tax receipts for certain donations they receive. However, the Act does not define what is “charitable,” leaving this classification to the interpretation of the Court. The Court frequently uses what is called the Pemsel classification to determine whether an organization’s purpose and activities are charitable. The Pemsel classification is considered to refer to the preamble in the Statute of Elizabeth, which sets out examples of charitable purposes. Under this classification the purpose must be for “for the benefit of the community or of an appreciably important class of the community.” The activity of an organization is determined to be charitable in relation to how it furthers the organization’s purpose and not in relation to the character of the activity.
Some key issues
Some of the key issues being looked at, as outlined in the attached summary by the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), are:
• The new guidelines include a broad definition for fundraising activities that include what could be considered earned income activities (i.e. the sales of chocolate bars, a car wash service, etc.) that do not directly further the purpose of the charitable organization.
• CRA’s guideline proposal does recognize the limitations for smaller organizations or those organizations that may have a smaller constituency or appeal from which to draw donations but instead of accounting for these within their recommendations they have instead suggested that exceptions to their guideline will be made on a case-by-case basis. Effective legislation should clearly differentiate between large and small to medium charities by accounting for the different financial, administrative, donor relation, etc. costs and constraints of small and medium sized charities.
• CRA’s stance is that fundraising is not a charitable activity. Given that the vast majority of charities depend upon fundraising activities to fulfill their budget demands there may be need to redefine fundraising as a charitable activity – providing that raised funds are used to further an organization’s purpose (which at times might vary in terms of how much of the funds go towards covering the organization’s operating costs).
• The proposed ratios of fundraising cost/fundraising revenue in fiscal period are:
– Rarely acceptable: more than 70% (charity nets less than 30%)
– Generally not acceptable: 50% to 70% (charity nets 30% to 50%)
– Potentially not acceptable: 35% to 50% (charity nets 50 to 65%)
– Generally acceptable: 20% to 35% (charity nets 65% to 80%)
– Acceptable: less than 20% (charity nets more than 80%)
Also, for an interesting court case around this subject review Vancouver Society of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women v. M.N.R., [1999] 1 S.C.R. 10.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Director of Finance and Administration
Canadian CED Network
ABOUT THE CANADIAN CED NETWORK:
The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) is Canada’s leading association of community-based organizations promoting community economic development as an alternative economic development model that integrates social, economic and environmental goals. With several hundred members in all regions of the country, CCEDNet seeks to increase the scale and effectiveness of community economic development, helping organizations and individuals strengthen their communities and create solutions to local needs. More information is available at /en
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Director of Finance and Administration is one of CCEDNet’s senior staff, working in partnership with the Executive Director, the Director of Programs, the Regional Coordinators and the Communications Coordinator as part of the management team. Specifically, the Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for the overall financial management, reporting, implementation and coordination of the financial systems. Additionally, the Director of Finance and Administration is the coordinator of the human resource management functions of the organization, managing and evaluating staffing and compensation structures, employee benefits plans and policies, employee contracts, employee review procedures, and is responsible for the completeness and confidentiality of all personnel files.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Overall Management of CCEDNet Financial Affairs
• Ensure CCEDNet accounts are maintained in Quickbooks
• Ensure appropriate financial policies and procedures are in place
• Ensure financial policies are adhered to and implemented
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, ensure that all transactions are coded to projects, or to administration
• Prepare monthly financial reports to the Board of Directors
• Provide project staff with financial materials (general ledgers) for timely reporting.
• Prepare year end audit materials and liaise with auditors
• Ensure cheque-writing and credit card policies are followed
• Ensure all monies are deposited correctly
• Assist Executive Director with preparation of annual budgets
• Brief Board on all of the above
• Ensure compliance with government regulations (CCRA, WCB, etc)
• Ensure member invoicing is completed in an accurate and timely basis
Participate in Management Team
• Lead long-term strategy development and tracking
• Assist project staff with budgeting, reporting and development of reasonable project budgets for proposals
• Oversee project tracking and coding of projects
Human Resource Management
• Ensure employee contracts and job descriptions are complete and current
• Evaluate the adequacy of existing human resource policies and procedures and recommend new ones to the Board, including the design of comprehensive compensation guidelines for all staff
Corporate & Charitable Donations
• Oversee development of corporate donor fundraising plan
• Help to identify potential corporate donors
• Report on progress
Supervision:
• Supervise the administrative team including the Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper
• Reports to the Executive Director
Communication:
• Communicates effectively with staff, elected Board and committee members and all levels of the organization
• Works closely with all staff
• Works closely with the Treasurer providing regular reports, statements and schedules as requested
QUALIFICATIONS: Education
• Accounting designation or a senior level CGA or CMA student. University degree in management or equivalent experience
Management
• 5-7 years financial management experience
• History working with non-profit organisations
Technical
• Proficient with computers, email, internet and QuickBooks
• Ability to learn new programs easily
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
Personal
• Positive attitude, problem solver, entrepreneurial, team player, willing to take responsibility, able to accomplish tasks and provide leadership under stress
WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Requires extensive computer use and teleconferencing with staff and members.
• May involve overtime work at peak periods.
• A competitive compensation package, including extended benefits, is available
• Twenty days vacation per year.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Start Date: No later than October 3, 2008
Please submit your CV and a letter of application no later than August 22, 2008 by email to Bianca Mathieu Phone: 1-250-386-9980
*Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This paper, prepared for the Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet), explores the state of CED/social economy activities in both Quebec and Manitoba and recent government policies in support of them. It seeks to separate out the similarities and differences between the two provinces and their underlying causes. It also suggests what might be unique about the two situations and, where this is thought not to be the case, what lessons others might usefully learn from them.
This publication is part of the Linking, Learning, Leveraging SSHRC-funded research project investigating the Social Economy. This project is comprised of multiple community partner organizations, academic researchers, and university students. See the Project Overview for more information.
Local Learning Events Coordinator, the Canadian CED Network
The Canadian CED Network is a values-based non profit organization committed to strengthening the social, economic, and environmental conditions of Canadian communities. We have several hundred members throughout Canada working at the grass roots level in rural, urban, Aboriginal and northern settings, and have offices in Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, and Charlottetown PEI. We offer an inclusive, learning environment for staff and members and seek to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills and leadership in building sustainable communities. For more information on the network please go to our website: www.ccednet-rcdec.ca
TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:
Start Date: August 2008 – June 2009
Please submit your CV and a letter of application no later than August 6, 2008 by Email to Brendan Reimer
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Project Manager of SEED Winnipeg (Co-Host of the National CED Conference along with Ka Ni Kanichihk), the Local Learning Events Coordinator will be responsible for:
• Submitting funding applications and follow up to conference funders (corporations, foundations, credit unions, governments).
• Supporting the local organizing committee inclusive of urban, rural, francophone and Aboriginal organizations and CFDCs.
• Planning and coordinating local aspects of the conference program.
• Overseeing communications with presenters and participants.
• Marketing of the conference.
• Planning and managing the site visit component of the conference to highlight innovation of CED in Manitoba.
• Managing volunteer orientation and tasks at the conference.
• Planning and coordinating the Conference Showcase and Marketplace.
• Contributing to aspects of managing on-site logistics at the conference itself, including contracts and agreements with selected venue and accommodations.
• Contributing to management of pre-conference and on-site communications, including programs and registration materials, and participant packages.
• Completing required reports for local conference funders.
• Completing proceedings and evaluation reports for the conference.
• Managing these same activities for the 2008 Manitoba CED Gathering, reporting to the CCEDNet Regional Coordinator for this component.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Post-secondary education in a related field of study.
• Proven experience in writing funding proposals.
• Proven experience in marketing and networking for major learning events.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently, and to work effectively as part of a team.
• Experience working with community-based organizations.
• Experience managing large-scale events and conferences.
• Familiarity with CCEDNet and the issues current in community economic development and the challenges facing rural and urban communities in Canada.
• Established networks and contacts with CED organizations.
• Demonstrated good judgement.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Spoken and written French an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Position based at SEED Winnipeg’s office in Winnipeg, MB.
• Requires extensive computer use and teleconferencing with participants.
• 35 hours per week, may involve overtime work at peak periods.
• Salary is $20 an hour, plus statutory benefits.
National Learning Events Coordinator, the Canadian CED Network
The Canadian CED Network is a values-based non profit organization committed to strengthening the social, economic, and environmental conditions of Canadian communities. We have several hundred members throughout Canada working at the grass roots level in rural, urban, Aboriginal and northern settings, and have offices in Victoria BC, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, and Charlottetown PEI. We offer an inclusive, learning environment for staff and members and seek to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills and leadership in building sustainable communities. For more information on the network please go to our website: www.ccednet-rcdec.ca
TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:
Start Date: August 2008 – July 2009
Please submit your CV and a letter of application no later than August 6, 2008 by Email to Brendan Reimer
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Regional Coordinator of the Canadian CED Network, the National Learning Events Coordinator will be responsible for:
• Submitting funding applications and follow up to conference funders (corporations, foundations, credit unions, governments).
• Supporting the national organizing committee inclusive of urban, rural, francophone and Aboriginal organizations and CFDCs.
• Planning and coordinating national aspects of the conference program.
• Overseeing communications with presenters and participants, including travel subsidies.
• Marketing of the conference.
• Planning and managing the site visit component of the conference to highlight innovation of CED in Manitoba.
• Managing volunteer orientation and tasks at the conference.
• Planning and coordinating the Conference Showcase and Marketplace.
• Contributing to aspects of managing on-site logistics at the conference itself, including contracts and agreements with selected venue and accommodations.
• Contributing to management of pre-conference and on-site communications, including programs and registration materials, and participant packages.
• Completing required reports for local conference funders.
• Completing proceedings and evaluation reports for the conference.
• Support the Local Learning Events Coordinator in organizing and managing the Manitoba CED Gathering in the fall of 2008.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Post-secondary education in a related field of study.
• Proven experience in writing funding proposals.
• Proven experience in marketing and networking for major learning events.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently, and to work effectively as part of a team.
• Experience working with community-based organizations.
• Experience managing large-scale events and conferences.
• Familiarity with CCEDNet and the issues current in community economic development and the challenges facing rural and urban communities in Canada.
• Established networks and contacts with CED organizations.
• Demonstrated good judgement.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Spoken and written French an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Position based at CCEDNet’s regional office in Winnipeg, MB.
• Requires extensive computer use and teleconferencing with participants.
• 35 hours per week, may involve overtime work at peak periods.
• Salary is $20 an hour, plus statutory benefits.
