Governments are looking for ways to support families and children, to reinforce learning and innovation, and to encourage community involvement in an era of fiscal restraint. With population aging increasing pressures on the labour market, growing health care costs straining budgets and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions prompting economic shifts, the need for cost effective delivery of essential goods and services to Canadians is reinforced.
Local communities are best placed to overcome their unique challenges, but government can help create the conditions for these communities – and the economies that sustain them – to succeed.
Community enterprises that take an asset-based development approach, supporting self-reliance and building individual and community resilience offer cost effective alternatives that can contribute to a sustained economic recovery in Canada, creating sustainable jobs and meeting today’s public policy challenges.
The federal government should support the development of community enterprises with a national youth work experience program, changes to procurement practices, and the creation of the Canada Impact Investment Fund.
Download the full Pre-Budget Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
