Canadian CED Network

Stewart Perry, Pioneer of CED in the US and CanadaMany people have contributed to the emergence and growth of community economic development in Canada, but few have been as influential as Dr. Stewart Perry.

Stewart had a long and storied career in community economic development in the U.S. and Canada as both a policy adviser and a designer and manager of CED institutions.  He was part of the team, initially in the Executive Office of the White House and later in the Office for Economic Opportunity, when the first federal CED program was implemented in the U.S.  As head of the (U.S.) Center for Community Economic Development, he helped create the first finance institution for CED, the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Authority.  

In the 1970s, he helped start Canada’s first community development corporation, New Dawn Enterprises, and in the years 1988-1993 headed the Community Economic Development Center in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  An Associate of the Centre for Stewart on the phoneCommunity Enterprise (later the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal), and close friend of CCEDNet co-founder Mike Lewis, Stewart was active in the creation of CCEDNet and his consulting, research, and writings on CED, community and development finance were prolific and prominent in the years before and after. 

He was endeared to many through the gatherings he hosted in at CCEDNet national conferences, as well as his insightful and caring way of being. 

At a webinar earlier this year marking CCEDNet’s 20th anniversary, Stewart reflected on the evolution of CED and his experiences over the years.  He challenged listeners to always ask themselves how what they are doing is making a difference. 

He also emphasized the importance of having fun in our collaborative, often challenging work.  “We’ve been together, and we’ve accomplished things together, and we’ll continue to accomplish things together.” 

After a life very well lived, Stewart passed away on Aug 7.Stronger together award

For those of us who knew Stewart, our affection for him and gratitude for our time and accomplishments together will serve as inspiration and motivation to continue. 

At EconoUs2019, to celebrate CCEDNet’s 20th anniversary, Stewart was among the first recipients of the Stronger Together Award, for exceptional contributions to community economic development and to CCEDNet. 

As part of his legacy, Stewart made a bequest to CCEDNet, which will be used to create the Stewart Perry Youth Fund.  More information will be shared on that in the near future. 

A celebration of Stewart’s life was held on October 5.  The livestream of the service, presided by Mike Lewis and with an eulogy by CCEDNet founding member Rankin MacSween, can be viewed here. 

CCEDNet extends our sincere condolences to Stewart’s wife Vicki, his family and loved ones. 

Hear more from Stewart: 

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Unveiling our Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Social, Economic, and Environmental Future

We are proud and excited to unveil the Canadian CED Network Manitoba’s newly revitalized Public Policy Road Map. Over the past two years, members have shared that our movement requires an organized articulation of our collective vision for Manitoba’s future. 

These are the priorities of our Network – reimagined as a Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Social, Economic, and Environmental Future. While just in time for Tuesday’s provincial election, this Road Map will guide our advocacy, organizing, and collective voice every day of the year, no matter the results on Tuesday night. 

Read the Road Map here!

It is our collective belief that if Manitoba follows this Road Map rooted in a Community Economic Development vision, our social, economic, and environmental future will be stronger and our communities will be more inclusive, democratic, and sustainable. 

When taken all together, the recommendations proposed in this document, while not exhaustive, represent solutions to some of Manitoba’s most challenging, interconnected issues.

As members know, our public policy mandate is the result of a democratic decision-making process. Every year, members work together to create a pragmatic, wide-ranging and solutions-focused set of public policy resolutions. This is the result.

When you go to vote on Tuesday, consider this Road Map when you make your decision. Ask your candidates when they knock on your door if they’ll support a Community Economic Development vision for Manitoba’s future. Copies of this Road Map will be sent to every elected MLA after the election.

In the coming days, we’ll be posting a party platform analysis, up against our revamped Public Policy Road Map on our Manitoba Votes Resource Page.

Our Collective Vision is: Sustainable and inclusive communities directing their own social, economic and environmental futures.

Together, we’re focused on:

  • Ending Poverty
  • Local & Fair Economies
  • Tackling Climate Change
  • Sustainable Community-Led Development
  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access
  • Democracy & Directing our Own Future

Find out more information about our Public Policy Road Map here.

Interested in getting involved in the 2020 Public Policy Summit, and contributing to this Road Map? Contact Michael Barkman at to learn more.

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Two weeks ago, I was fortunate to be among 100 decent work advocates gathered in Montréal for My Labour Our Future, an event highlighting the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and discussing the future of work and fair economies.  

Many moons earlier, when I was a student at McGill University (and not busy co-organizing an occupation of the Principal’s office to protest rising tuition fees), I remember taking some pride at the plaque attesting that the ILO had been housed there from 1940 to 1948.   But I’m only now realizing the significance of what the ILO represents, and its connections to community economic development.  

Created in 1919 as part of the League of Nations, the ILO is the world’s oldest international organization. It grew out of nineteenth-century labour and social movements which were a voice for social justice and higher living standards for the world’s working people.  In 1946, the ILO became the first specialized agency associated with the United Nations. While in Montréal, it produced the Declaration of Philadelphia, which includes proclamations that would warm the heart of CCEDNet members:  

  • Labour is not a commodity;
  • Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere;
  • All human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity.

The inspirational vision of that declaration, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that followed a few years later, seem hard to imagine today.  That was one of the points that came up repeatedly in discussions at My Labour Our Future – that 40 years of neo-liberalism have stunted our political imagination.  As Neil McInroy of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies passionately reminded us:  we can build the economy any way we want.  In fact, workers are among the biggest shareholders in the world through pension funds.  Neil laid out a 3-point agenda for a new economy: localize, socialize, and democratize.  

Another surprising lesson for me was that the ILO structure is unique among world organizations, bringing together representatives of workers and employers with governments in its executive bodies.  This is another similarity to CED, which sits at the crossroads of public, private and community sector action to strengthen local, democratic control over the economy.   The 19th century labour and social movements mentioned above catalyzed a wide range of social innovations seeking to improve people’s lives, most notably unions and co-operatives.  So it is fitting that the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work recognizes the role of co-operatives and the social solidarity economy in generating decent work, productive employment and improved living standards for all.  

The exciting part about our current situation is that not only are financiers recognizing that social economy initiatives are more secure, stable and beneficial investments, but a recent l’Actualité article found that those organizations are in fact also the places where employee happiness is greatest.  

What the labour, co-operative, social solidarity economy movements and CED all have in common is their roots in organizing.  They are about people coming together to oppose unfairness and propose better solutions. The labour movement is responsible for pretty much all of the social benefits we have today, from the weekend to minimum wage to family leave.  The co-op and credit union movement create jobs and deliver essential services in countless places that were bypassed by mainstream economic development. It was always the power of people organizing to make and win demands and create alternatives that led to progress.

With inequality at record levels, ecological and climate crises worsening every day, and a growing awareness of historical injustices to be righted, there is no better time to reignite our political imaginations.  A starting point is remembering the roots of the economy, described in the 7-minute video How We Live: A Journey Towards a Just Transition.  

How We Live: A Journey Towards a Just Transition from Kontent Films on Vimeo.

The inspirational participants at My Labour Our Future reminded me of the people who will be gathering in just two weeks in London, Ontario for EconoUs2019.  CCEDNet’s annual national conference, this year co-hosted by Community Futures Ontario, brings together people who are pragmatic visionaries – leading action in their communities to create long term change and improve well being.  The energy, connections and learning at EconoUs are always a powerfully re-invigorating time for the essential day-to-day work throughout the year.  

To close My Labour Our Future, Colette Murphy of the Atkinson Foundation called on participants to reclaim Labour Day, recalling it as a day for acknowledging and expressing gratitude for everyone’s work.  So this Labour Day weekend, I will say thanks for the work of the many people on whom my well-being depends.  And I’ll also take a moment to think of all organizers who have fought and won countless battles for social justice over the last century and before.  And I’ll hope to see you at EconoUs2019, where we’ll continue to reignite our political imagination, learn from each other about how to build an inclusive and sustainable economy, and — the cornerstone of all organizing — have some fun!  

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pact-for-impactOn the 10th and 11th of July 2019, more than 400 organizations committed to achieving Sustainable Development Objectives having as an inspiration the values of the Social and Solidarity Economy will be present. This is a concrete Alliance, with every stakeholder working towards a common goal: collectively designing a roadmap for a new global economy.

This summit hosted government delegations, international organisations, local authorities, and actors committed to fostering Social and Inclusive Economy. World experts, speakers with inspiring success stories, local actors from all over the world, and public and private partners committed to meeting the challenges of our century has also attended.

Pact for Impact aims to create a Global Alliance to promote and strengthen the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), the Inclusive Economy, its companies, and all stakeholders of social innovation.

Download “Pact For Impact” Manifesto A Global Alliance For A Social And Inclusive Economy

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Manitoba Votes 2019On September 10, 2019, Manitobans will go to the polls to elect our provincial government. The province is responsible for so many important aspects of our community’s futures – local economic and enterprise development, community development, housing, social services and addressing poverty, and taking care of our environment and earth. We know that our shared movement for Community Economic Development – with local & fair local economies, no poverty, and more sustainable communities – has the solutions to tackle some of our province’s toughest social, economic, and environmental challenges. 

This resource page is both to help make CED a priority this election, and to keep the community informed about developments throughout the campaign. 

Platform Updates

Election Information – How to Vote

Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Sustainable & Inclusive Social, Economic, and Environmental Future

Election Events

Platform Updates

Our Collective Vision is sustainable and inclusive communities directing their own social, economic and environmental futures. There are numerous promises from Manitoba’s four major political parties related to our vision for Manitoba’s social, economic, and enviromental future.

Below are some of the key highlights from each party’s platform related to the priority areas of our Public Policy Road Map. In cases where our partners have done analysis or questionnaires, we have links to that information. 

Otherwise, the vast majority of the text is taken directly from the publicly available platforms of the political parties. Links to these documents can be found at the bottom of this page. At times, information was added from party’s specific announcements, press releases, and comments at public election forums and debates. We accept any corrections or additions to the information presented, though believe it is an accurate representation of key commitments written in party’s public platforms. 

Social Future – Ending Poverty

For information related to party’s commitments related to ending poverty, social assistance/Livable Basic Needs Benefits, minimum wage, housing, childcare, and mental health, refer to the Make Poverty History Manitoba coalition’s platform update. 

You can also watch highlights from the Hunger & Poverty Provincial Forum here.

Winnipeg Harvest also released a Manitoba Election Scorecard, available with great summary of party promises.

Economic Future

Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba

  • Refocus the responsibilities of the Social Impact Office to centralize and modernize various strategies including SIBs, social finance, social enterprise, and social impact procurement
  • Renew Manitoba’s Sector Council program to increase employer investment in training, and ensure post-secondary training is aligned with the labour market to give our students the best chance for rewarding careers
  • Fast track the development of Manitoba’s Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy. The Plan will focus on strengthening connections between industry, employers and apprenticeship and training providers
  • Implement a comprehensive MB job works and economic growth plan to add 40,000 jobs to the private sector
  • Support an employment-first approach where employment is the primary goal for working age adults with an intellectual disability
  • Create a new Advisory group of employers and advocates to develop the employment potential of persons with disabilities
  • Create a Team to Grow Manitoba including the Premier’s Enterprise Team, our Economic Growth Committee of Cabinet, the new Manitoba Economic Development Office (EDO) and our strategic partners (Travel Manitoba, North Forge, World Trade Centre) and regional partners (Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF), Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW), Rural and Winnipeg Metropolitan Region)
  • Establish a new rural economic development hub, based in Brandon, to service the unique needs and growth potential of rural Manitoba
  • Work with industry to identify opportunities to grow investment and job creation within target sectors including agriculture, food processing, mining, forestry, transportation/logistics, manufacturing (including green innovation) and financial services
  • Support at least five more social impact bonds (SIB) in second term
  • Grow Manitoba’s community foundation network by creating a $5 million fund to permanently support the growth of community foundations through training and development, technology support, and investment management services and extend provincial participation in Endow Manitoba’s 24 Hour Giving Challenge until 2026

New Democratic Party of Manitoba

  • Invest in infrastructure like schools, roads, and hospitals creating 50,000 jobs
  • Increase small business tax threshold
  • Focus on smart job growth by convening an annual Tech Summit, which includes innovation and creative economy, with education leaders, entrepreneurs, and labour, to listen to the experts, and make sure we are training workers for the jobs of tomorrow
  • Create good jobs, bring unemployed Manitobans back into the workforce, and at the same time, meet social needs by better aligning social enterprises and government procurement
  • Work with industry to create a Centre of Excellence for Infrastructure Innovation
  • Create job opportunities for Indigenous peoples by putting Resource Revenue Sharing into a Jobs Fund for Indigenous communities
  • Use social enterprise as part of Manitoba Housing’s renovation and construction program to build new social and affordable housing units throughout Winnipeg, rural Manitoba, and Northern Manitoba

Manitoba Liberal Party

  • Create a Manitoba Business Development Bank (MBDB) that would provide investments in growth-focused Manitoba businesses, including start-ups, scale-ups, co-ops, social enterprise, and farming. It would be province-wide and available to entrepreneurs whether they are in Winnipeg, rural or northern Manitoba, or on a First Nation Economic Development
  • MBDB would include microfinance ($2,000-$5,000) up to larger investments in the $10-million range and provide equity investments as “patient money” over a 10-15 year time horizon, to encourage true innovation
  • Launching a campaign that encourages Manitobans to “shop local” at locally-owned Manitoba businesses – including stores, services, arts, culture, sports and tourism.
  • Enhancing Manitoba government procurement to make it easier for Manitoba businesses to sell their products and services to the Manitoba government, and for the Manitoba government to consider “community return on investment” as a factor in spending and procurement decisions, not just “value for money.” 
  • A voluntary “Manitoba Works for Good” jobs program that would pay individuals who find themselves out of work with to do jobs in the public interest, as an alternative to EIA or basic income

Green Party of Manitoba

  • Offer support to businesses interested in making the transition to renewable energy
  • Undertake measures intended to ensure that all economic activity and its impact are both ecologically sustainable and socially just
  • Undertake actions to replace jobs lost during the transition away from fossil fuels with a larger amount of better, long-term employment opportunities with more social and environmental benefits
  • Make local industry a priority by encouraging trade that is sensible, sustainable, and ultimately beneficial to Manitobans
  • Support and invest in small Manitoban companies producing goods for local markets by directing government assistance toward smaller businesses, especially new and young independent entrepreneurs
  • Support and invest in community economic development initiatives
  • Support green energy construction projects that will create jobs and help transition rural and northern communities to energy independence

Tackling Climate Change

For information related to party’s commitments on tackling climate change, reducing emissions, and more, refer to the great resources below:

Wilderness Committee Manitoba Votes 2019: Candidate Survey Results

Coverage from the Forum for Our Future from Sustainable Building Manitoba

Questions related to Green Technology, Manitoba Hydro, community energy projects, and more.

Sustainable Community-Led Development

While we assume that many of the priorities in all the party platforms will affect or include community-based organizations, they are not specifically referred to as far as we can see. 

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access

For information related to party’s commitments on the five priority disability issues from the Disability Matters Vote campaign, click here.

Many other priorities in the party platforms relate to inclusion or diversity, but aren’t specifically connected to CCEDNet Manitoba’s set of resolutions. We suggest reading through the platforms with a lens toward Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access.

Links to Party Platforms:

Quoted text above and more information is available from Manitoba’s political party platforms, found here:

Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba

    New Democratic Party of Manitoba

    Manitoba Liberal Party

    Green Party of Manitoba

    Other Policy Backgrounders:

    Make Poverty History Manitoba’s backgrounder on the six policy priority areas are here.

    Check out these one-pager Voting Guide and Information Sheets, produced by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg here.

    Read this important backgrounder on issues facing newcomers & refugees, produced by MANSO (Manitoba Association of Newcomer-Serving Organizations). This backgrounder highlights key facts, issues, and questions for candidates and is intended to support facts-based dialogue on these issues.

    Election Information – How to Vote

    Election day is September 10, 2019

    Advance Voting is: Thursday, August 29 to Thursday, September 5. More info about times & locations here.

    Register to vote and more information at Elections Manitoba.

    Use CBC Manitoba’s Election Voters’ Guide for all you need to know before you vote.

    Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Sustainable & Inclusive Social, Economic, and Environmental Future

    Unveiling the Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Social, Economic, and Environmental Future

    We are proud and excited to unveil the Canadian CED Network Manitoba’s newly revitalized Public Policy Road Map. Over the past two years, members have shared that our movement requires an organized articulation of our collective vision for Manitoba’s future. 

    These are the priorities of our Network – reimagined as a Public Policy Road Map for Manitoba’s Social, Economic, and Environmental Future. While just in time for Tuesday’s provincial election, this Road Map will guide our advocacy, organizing, and collective voice every day of the year, no matter the results on Tuesday night. 

    Read the Road Map here!

    It is our collective belief that if Manitoba follows this Road Map rooted in a Community Economic Development vision, our social, economic, and environmental future will be stronger and our communities will be more inclusive, democratic, and sustainable. 

    When taken all together, the recommendations proposed in this document, while not exhaustive, represent solutions to some of Manitoba’s most challenging, interconnected issues.

    As members know, our public policy mandate is the result of a democratic decision-making process. Every year, members work together to create a pragmatic, wide-ranging and solutions-focused set of public policy resolutions. This is the result.

    When you go to vote on Tuesday, consider this Road Map when you make your decision. Ask your candidates when they knock on your door if they’ll support a Community Economic Development vision for Manitoba’s future. Copies of this Road Map will be sent to every elected MLA after the election.

    In the coming days, we’ll be posting a party platform analysis, up against our revamped Public Policy Road Map. 

    Our Collective Vision is: Sustainable and inclusive communities directing their own social, economic and environmental futures.

    Together, we’re focused on:

    • Ending Poverty
    • Local & Fair Economies
    • Tackling Climate Change
    • Sustainable Community-Led Development
    • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access
    • Democracy & Directing our Own Future

    Find out more information about our Public Policy Road Map.

    Election Events

    Previous Events: 

    Hunger and Poverty Provincial Forum – Tuesday, August 20th – part of Make Poverty History Manitoba’s kNOw Poverty campaign

    UpForDebateMB (Gender Equality and Women’s Rights) – Wednesday, August 21 

    Disabilities Matters Leaders Debate – Tuesday, August 27 – part of the Disability Matters Vote campaign

    Time to Talk about Public Health Care: Leader’s Debate – Thursday, August 29 – part of Manitoba Health Coalition’s campaign

    Forum For Our Future: Manitoba Leaders Debate on the Environment – Thursday, September 5

    More to add? Another important campaign to mention? Contact Michael Barkman, CCEDNet Manitoba Public Policy Coordinator at: m.barkman at ccednet-rcdec.ca

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    CBNAfter three long years, the City of Toronto has adopted a new landmark Community Benefits Framework which will create more opportunities for training and well paying careers in the trades through Apprenticeships with hard targets for hiring Toronto residents from historically disadvantaged communities and equity seeking groups. In addition, the framework will create more opportunities for local, diverse owned businesses and social enterprises to access City contracts through social procurement.

    The community benefits framework will apply to:

    • City Led Projects – Construction projects of the City and its Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations 
    • City Owned Land – As requirements within leases on City-owned land (e.g. Real Estate Services, CreateTO, Housing Now Affordable Housing Initiatives)
    • Financial Incentive – Where the City is providing a financial incentive for a new private development project 
    • Voluntary – Where community groups and developers are both willing to enter into discussions about community benefits on private developments on privately-owned land

    Details: Community Benefits Framework 

    The adopted Community Benefits Framework will include:

    • Hard targets for workforce development on projects that fall under this Framework. Hard targets will vary between 5-10% depending on project
    • A commitment to hire a new Community Benefits Coordinator to support tracking, reporting and implementation at the City 
    • The establishment and convening of a multi-stakeholder Community Benefits Advisory Group(including representation from equity seeking groups) to provide expertise, address real-time community benefits implementation challenges and solutions, and promote transparency and accountability in the City’s community benefits activities
    • The Community Benefits Coordinator will work with a Data Analyst to develop and implement a City-wide community benefits data system to monitor, track and report on City of Toronto community benefits targets and/or achievements on a project by project basis, to be published on a City webpage
    • Scarborough Training Centre: Utilize the Sir Robert L. Borden property located at 200 Poplar Road as a job skills training centre to assist job candidates from equity seeking groups, including Indigenous peoples, by providing pre-employment training and employment supports prior to and during employment, to maximize employment retention in eastern Scarborough

    Report Back: The City will also be reporting back on a few items that will help the City to understand best practices and bring forward additional recommendations for City Council to make an informed decision. This includes: 

    2020 report back: A) Recommendations to advance the City of Toronto’s community benefit initiatives, including additional and/or higher minimum hard targets; B) a jurisdictional scan of best practices related to hard targets on community benefits, including community engagement, criteria and actual hard targets; and C) an indication of the required resources to move the Community Benefits Framework forward.

    2022 report back: Status update on the Community Benefits Framework Implementation Plan, and recommendations for Community Benefits Framework future direction.

    Source: www.communitybenefits.ca

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    The OECD Local Development Forum, which will take place from 10-11 December 2019 in Antwerp, Belgium, is looking for promising international practices, including examples of employment, skills, social innovation, culture/creative industries and entrepreneurship programmes.

    survey iconGuidelines for submission

    For the purpose of this call please submit information pertaining to one programme. Programmes submitted for consideration must adhere to the following minimum criteria:

    • Have achieved measurable impacts in terms of jobs created, employment and inclusion;
    • Have existed for at least one year;
    • Be results-oriented and highlight the potential for replicability in other communities.

    Possible thematic areas

    • This call seeks to gather examples of innovative programmes on “what works” that could inspire on the following topics:
    • Employment and skills development programmes that link people to jobs or improve the skills of those already working who might be at-risk of job loss;
    • Programmes that actively engage firms (especially SMEs) in the design and delivery of training;
    • Social innovation programmes and strategies that provide education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities;
    • Entrepreneurship initiatives, which are providing start-up and business development support services to new businesses; 
    • Initiatives to support cultural and creative industries and/or culture/heritage-led urban/rural regeneration programmes; and
    • Programmes that are either directly managed or implemented in regions or cities;

    Selection of programmes

    Complete this form by 30 September 2019. The organisers will acknowledge receipt and notify the applicants of its decision by 31 October 2019. Selected programmes will be highlighted through a dedicated stand and/or presentation at the OECD Local Development Forum to be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from 10-11 December 2019. Selected programmes will also be featured in OECD work on good practice programme examples

    Complete the survey here 

    Find out more about the OECD Local Development Forum here 

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    Our dominant models for economic development are failing us. The extractive economy, as Ted Howard and Marjorie Kelly of the Democracy Collaborative call it in their forthcoming book The Making of the Democratic Economy, is “designed to benefit the wealthy, to enable the financial elite to extract maximum gain for themselves in every possible way, everywhere on the globe, heedless of collateral damage created for workers, communities, and the environment.”

    We know what the collateral damage is: precarious work, high inequality, climate change, contamination of traditional Indigenous territories and displacement of the most vulnerable, outmigration from rural communities, rising cost of living in urban communities…

    We also know that there are other economies than the ‘extractive economy’ and, similarly, other ways of approaching economic development. Some of these may be new but many (most) of them have been around for a long time. At the Canadian CED Network, we tend to talk about the Social Economy and Community Economic Development (CED), but there are many names given to these different (and not so different) types of economies and economic development approaches. These terminologies reflect the diversity of the communities at the centre of this work. And not only should communities be central to economic development, they should be at the core of social innovation.

    Business innovation is sometimes seen as coming from an individual entrepreneur. But social innovation that sticks and that is truly transformative comes from people working together. Join leaders from across Canada at EconoUs2019 in London, Ontario from September 16 -18 to learn how communities are leading innovation. Build networks for social and economic change and learn and share strategies for community-led innovation through stories, skill-building workshops, and creative process sessions. econous.ca

    “People have always come together to solve unique problems. Cultivating and stewarding strong relationships and scaling innovation requires Elder’s and young people. Intergenerational collaboration contributes to and drives social change.” Victor Beausoleil of SETSI (Social Economy Through Social Inclusion) shared this with me the other day and I think it covers so much. Problems are not typically solved by one person – they’re solved when people work together. If the goal of social innovation is social change, it’s not enough to just create a product or a service. Whatever the project is, it needs to be embedded in community so that there is shared ownership and direction.

    Innovation often gets conflated with invention, but in reality, most innovations build upon existing technology, knowledge and models by finding new practical applications. CED necessitates innovation because every community is different, with specific needs, assets, and issues to address and opportunities to seize. As a result, what works in Montréal won’t work the same way in Calgary or in Rankin Inlet – each community has to find their own way, inspired by what has worked elsewhere and emboldened by the unique vision of its members. In this way, communities are leading innovation, by thinking creatively about how to adapt and improvise upon the previous work of others and how to involve those who have historically been left out of economic development decision-making and ownership structures.

    A new partnership group that is exploring how to creatively shift the power imbalances within our economic and political systems is the Power Lab. Currently led by people working to make sure historically excluded and equity-seeking communities are involved in the decision-making process for public infrastructure development projects, this innovation lab “is a space for experimenting, stretching, and developing skills to realize a shared vision of an economy that works for everyone.”

    In rural communities across Canada, innovators can turn to Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) for support. More than just providing small business loans (not to downplay the importance of this financial service), CFDCs provide leadership on strategic community planning and support for the development and implementation of local initiatives.

    Social finance is also currently a hot topic of conversation in the innovation landscape, especially with the Government of Canada’s announced $800M Social Finance Fund. Credit unions like Vancity, Assiniboine and Alterna Savings have long held commitments to community investment and continue to look for new and creative ways to address local needs. A new and innovative support system for rural and urban economic and business development is Community Impact Investment organizations. Often using the co-operative model, these organizations effectively bridge the gap between local investors and local ventures in need of financing.

    With all of this increased interest in social innovation and social finance, however, we must be careful to not fall into old traps. “Who are the individuals that are pushing for social finance and what is the agenda and intentions behind this?” asks Victor Beausoleil. “My concern is the means shaping the ends. Those with power need to align themselves with those who don’t because those that feel it most usually have the most at stake and usually their voices are never heard. The most innovative models are developed when your back is against the wall, so inclusion, diversity, equity and access, is not just the right thing to do it is also a prudent approach to social innovation and social finance.”

    The wellbeing of all people through this century will require a fundamental departure from the extractive economy. Fortunately, community-led innovation is flourishing and offers a wide range of alternatives. How would you like to build your community economy?

    Matthew Thompson has been working with the Canadian CED Network since 2007 and is currently the Director of Engagement. 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 grassroots level in rural, urban, Indigenous and northern communities. We engage a broad and inclusive range of community interests in common efforts to influence policy, create stronger and fairer local economies, tackle poverty and homelessness, and invest in sustainable communities.

    Source via Charity Village | July 24, 2019

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    Labour Program Stakeholder EngagementEmployment and Social Development Canada is inviting participation in consultations on the development of regulations for recent amendments to Part III (Labour Standards) of the Canada Labour Code (Code) to improve protections for employees, particularly those in precarious work, while supporting productive workplaces. These amendments, introduced in Bill C-86 – the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, aim to:

    • make it easier for employees to qualify for certain labour standards;
    • add new scheduling, break and leave provisions to improve work-life balance;
    • increase the minimum age to be employed in certain types of work;
    • adjust the existing leave for members of the Canadian Forces reserve;
    • provide measures to ensure employees in non-standard employment are treated fairly;
    • modify individual and group notice of termination requirements to help safeguard the financial security of employees whose employment is ended; and
    • improve the administration of Part III of the Code.

    These amendments are coming into force in several waves over the next two years, with the majority of changes be coming into force on September 1, 2019.

    To ensure that the regulations meet their intended purpose and balance the needs of all stakeholders, your feedback is sought on the Labour Program Stakeholder Engagement discussion paper. The paper outlines the changes to the Code and poses specific questions for your consideration. Your views on any aspects of the new provisions are welcome. For example, in addition to the discussion on regulations, we are interested in knowing what type of guidance, information materials and other tools would be most useful for helping employers and employees understand their obligations and rights.

    To ensure that your written input is fully considered in the regulatory development process, please e-mail your written comments to brenda.baxter at labour-travail.gc.ca by June 28, 2019.

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    Creating Manitoba’s New Non-Profit Strategy

    CCEDNet’s recommendations to the Provincial Government 

    In May 2019, the Province of Manitoba announced plans to develop a new non-profit strategy.

    Find the Canadian CED Network’s submission to government here. It’s essential that the government hear from as many community-based organization volunteers, staff, participants, and funders as possible through their consultation.

    Organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit. If you’re feeling stretched to submit to this large consultation, feel free to utilize text from the Network’s submission for your own. Click here to view our submission. You can submit either online or via a written submission at ">. Find out below how else you can contribute to the consultation.

    The stated intention behind the strategy is to build capacity and promote sustainability in the non-profit sector in order to guide future policy and spending. We agree that a strategy for Manitoba’s non-profit sector is essential to capture our deep social and economic impact, and to address some of the challenges we know that organizations are facing.

    We plan to be part of the process to create a strategy, and will take every opportunity to contribute the perspectives of the Network’s members. Members have expressed a number of concerns or issues with the current consultation process, coming on the heels of funding changes through the new Building Sustainable Communities Program.

    >A co-creation exercise that is founded upon and works in partnership with the knowledge of Manitoba’s non-profit, community sector would be the ideal process. A new strategy for the Province of Manitoba must uplift and centre the crucial work of community-based organizations and ensure access to the resources needed to achieve essential community development initiatives.

    Add your voice to the online consultation

    How to Get Involved

    Want some help filling out the survey or contributing to the consultation? Or, want to get involved in organizing around funding and community development?

    Contact Michael Barkman, CCEDNet Manitoba Public Policy Coordinator, at m.barkman at ccednet-rcdec.ca

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    On June 6, CCEDNet members gathered online to participate in the 2019 annual general meeting (AGM).

    Watch the AGM Recording

    Board Chair, Laurie Cook, helped the meeting run smoothly. Given the discussion around the proposed resolution, the chair let the meeting run 15 minutes over the alloted hour. The resolution was adopted by the members and the Board will be deliberating how best to move forward with it. Stay tuned for more news on this in the coming weeks. 

    Feedback following the AGM was very positive. Here are a few things our members had to say about the AGM:

    • [The highlight of the AGM for me was] the discussion of the member initiatied resolution
    • This is where we need to go….Your system gave me some really interesting new approaches to pursue such as the split screen and the in real time voting system Very creative you guys are.
    • I appreciated a lot the overview of significant achievements.
    • [The highlight of the AGM for me was] the ability to bridge members from across the country in two languages!
    • Comments were interesting, the well run format was great
    • By far the best participation, with more than 40 members.

    CCEDNet’s Executive Director, Mike Toye, presented highlights from 2018 and CCEDNet’s Treasurer, Diana Jedig, presented the audited financial statements.

    Check out the Highlights from 2018

    Download the AGM PowerPoint Presentation

    Members congratulated Laurie Cook, Marianne Jurzyniec, Walter Hossli, and Yvon Poirier on renewed Board mandates, as well as recently appointed Board member, Jean-François Parent. Members alse expressed gratitude to outgoing Board members Carol Madsen, Wendy Keats, Carol Anne Hilton, Emmanuel Bertrand-Gauvin, and Luc Morin.

    Many thanks to the members who participated, the staff who organized the logistics, and to CCEDNet’s Board members who guide the Network throughout the year.

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    Inclusive InnovationThe Government of Canada has announced a call for applications for a Social Innovation Advisory Council. 

    The Advisory Council will provide strategic advice and subject matter expertise to the Government of Canada to support the implementation of the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy and growth of social purpose organizations. It will provide an important perspective from within the stakeholder community and report regularly on progress and emerging issues in relation to the Strategy. Twelve to fifteen leaders, practitioners and experts with diverse demographic backgrounds and professional expertise in the areas of social innovation, social finance and social procurement will be selected to form the Advisory Council.

    DEADLINE EXTENDED:  Those interested in applying are encouraged to submit their applications by September 13, 2019.

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