Executive Summary
This paper presents the Canadian CED Network’s (CCEDNet) policy proposal for using tax credits and other mechanisms to increase the amount of financial capital available for CED in Canada. The recommendations in this paper grew out of CCEDNet’s national Policy Forum, held in 2001, where Community Economic Development (CED) practitioners from across Canada came together to build a national policy framework.
Since that time, CCEDNet has been building on the work of the Policy Forum and actively working to document the evidence base for the Policy Framework’s recommendations regarding human, social and financial capital. This paper presents the results of CCEDNet’s research regarding tax credit and community investment models, and a cost-benefit analysis showing potential benefits to government from the proposed equity tax credit.
Return on Investment
A national cost-benefit model is still being developed by CCEDNet. Equity tax credits in Nova Scotia similar to those proposed in this document resulted in a cumulative net benefit to the provincial government of $180 million dollars after five years.
A proposed $5 million charitable tax credit expenditure in Alberta is predicted to product present value net benefits of $10,588,650.
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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tax Credit Recommendation
INTRODUCTION
National Policy Framework
Methodology
About this Document
THE CASE FOR CED IN CANADA
INCOME INEQUALITY
COMMUNITY INEQUALITY INDICATOR
A CED APPROACH TO DECLINING COMMUNITIES
THE CASE FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Community Investment Potential
REVIEW OF EXISTING TAX CREDIT MODELS
1. EQUITY TAX CREDIT MODELS
Nova Scotia Community Economic
Development Investment Funds
Manitoba Grow Bonds
Manitoba Community Enterprise Development
Tax Credit
United States New Markets Tax Credits
United Kingdom Community Investment Tax Credit
2. CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT MODELS
New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority
Crocus Fund
Proposed Alberta CED Investment Fund Tax Credit
LESSONS LEARNED: BALANCING COMMUNITY AND INVESTOR NEEDS
LOCAL RESPONSIVENESS
INVESTOR PROTECTION AND RISK PROFILES
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
SUMMARY
RECOMMENDED TAX CREDIT MODELS
GOVERNMENT PAYBACK MODELS
Nova Scotia
Alberta
INVESTOR PAYBACK MODEL
Source
