Over the past few years, key national organizations supporting the social economy, including the Canadian CED Network, the Chantier de l’économie sociale and the Social Enterprise Council of Canada have come together to build a mutual framework with encourage government support for social innovation. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of social enterprises, co-operatives and community organizations dedicated to creating and supporting businesses that blend social and economic goals, thereby responding to community needs with innovative solutions.
In anticipation of the federal election expected in 2015, we have updated our policy framework to focus recommendations for action to grow Canada’s social economy in four key areas:
- Support social economy business development
- Stimulate investment in the social economy
- Leverage procurement to expand the market
- Modernize legislation and regulations
The full list of recommendations can be found here (Policy Proposals for Canada’s Social Economy) and were recently sent to:
- Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Finance
- Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development
- Nathan Cullen, Critic for Finance, New Democratic Party
- Jinny Sims, Critic for Employment and Social Development, New Democratic Party,
- Scott Brison, Critic for Finance, Liberal Party
- Rodger Cuzner, Critic for Employment and Social Development, Liberal Party
- Elizabeth May, Green Party of Canada
Groups consulted for the development of these policies include Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, the Ontario Nonprofit Network, Trico Charitable Foundation, and the Women’s Economic Council.
