CCEDNet talks international policy
The Canadian CED Network has continued to work with community stakeholders and government officials as the federal government negotiates a new Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union. This issue remains a priority for our policy council, as the CETA could prevent Canadian governments from adopting progressive procurement policies that help provide training and employment opportunities in Canadian communities. CCEDNet has partnered with the Council of Canadian's
Trade Justice Network to ensure the interests of Canadian communities are being defended throughout the negotiations.
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Putting CED in the 2013 budget
In response to the federal government's invitation for pre-budget submissions, CCEDNet is currently preparing recommendations to bring a CED perspective into the 2013 budget. Our submission, which will be sent to the
Standing Committee on Finance, outlines how community economic development helps sustain economic recovery and enhance economic growth. CCEDNet includes recommendations for how the federal government can support community enterprises that contribute to job creation and economic productivity. Our submission also explains how CED approaches can help navigate the challenges of skill shortages in Canadian communities. All pre-budget submissions, including CCEDNet's will be available on the Finance Committee's website, once they have been translated.
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CCEDNet reports on the status of co-ops
To help guide their work, Canada's newly minted Special Committee on Co-operatives has requested feedback and recommendations from community stakeholders on the status of the co-operative sector. As a result, CCEDNet has prepared a submission to highlight the ways in which co-operatives contribute to economic growth and employment creation. CCEDNet has also included recommendations on how the federal government can strengthen its policies and approaches to support co-operative development in Canada. Increasing access to capital investment and improving the accessiblity of existing federal policies and programs available to small/medium businesses would be a great step towards supporting co-op development and the expansion of existing co-ops.
Northern CED News
Roundtable Meetings Result in New Anti-Poverty Strategy and Action Plan
Findings gathered from several years worth of reports, research and workshops helped inform the new NWT anti-poverty strategy and action plan that emerged out of the roundtable held this month. The meetings included representatives from Aboriginal governments, municipal governments, non-profits and community members. The Strategy endeavors to repair a tattered social safety net for people in need. Participants have since returned to their communities to engage in discussion about the draft strategy and action plan and will reconvene in the fall for a second roundtable.
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Food Security on the Plate at Grow North Conference
The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson was abuzz with activity May 9-10 for the Grow North Conference. Over 100 keen participants representing 26 northern communities gathered to learn about growing food in their communities. The Conference includes workshops on composting, seed starting, and traditional foods, as well as a trip out to a working farm. The event also included an awards ceremony to recognize certain community members for their outstanding contributions to food security.
If the Conference feedback is any indication, this will not be the last Grow North Conference, so stay posted.
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Nunavut Summer Camps Teach Youth Life Skills & Culture
The latest Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction newsletter is brimming with enthusiastic updates from its communities’ many summer activities and programs. For example, the youth wellness and empowerment camps were held across the territory. The camps aim to equip local youth with critical life skills while fostering positive mental health and wellness. Although the activities in each camp were influenced by the local communities, they all had an overarching theme that emphasizes the celebration and exploration of Inuit traditions and knowledge.
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National CED News
New Organization to Unite Co-operators from Coast to Coast
The bonds between co-operatives in Canada will soon be strengthened by the creation of a pan-Canadian, bilingual association that will represent co-operatives, credit unions and mutuals. Members of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) voted overwhelmingly in favour of establishing a new organization in partnership with the Conseil canadien de la cooperation et de la mutualite (CCCM).
Described by leaders of both organizations as "historic", the decision paves the way for the appointment of a transition committee to work out the details of the creation of the new association.
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Read more(Source: CCA News Brief)
Social Enterprise World Forum 2012
Before the World Cup and Olympics take place in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian city will also be hosting the Social Enterprise World Forum. The Forum is touted as the premiere global event focused exclusively on social enterprise and on building global awareness of the effectiveness of the social economy in solving critical social, economic and cultural problems. Sessions will provide opportunities for participants to learn from and interact with social enterprise pioneers, investors and innovators from around the world.
Registration is now open for the Forum, which takes place October 16-18, 2012.
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New Book Explores A Co-operative Dilemma
A new book by Jorge Sousa and Roger Herman is available from the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. Entitled
A Co-operative Dilemma: Converting Organizational Form, the book is based on the experience of both academics and practitioners, and focusses on an issue of paramount importance to co-ops, nonprofits and other social economy organizations, development specialists, and policy makers. Twelve case studies from Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United States explore the factors that lead businesses to consider converting their organizational form and the processes involved in the decision to mutualize, demutualize, or remutualize. The book is available for purchase form the Centre for $20 plus gst, shipping and handling. To order a copy, please contact
coop.studies@usask.ca>>
Read more(Source: Saskatchewan Co-operative Association)
Co-operating to Build a Better West Details Announced
Updated information about the Co-operating to Build a Better West Conference are now available on the conference website. The event is taking place November 1-3, 2012 at the Radisson Hotel in Saskatoon.
The conference will be an opportunity to learn how co-operators have positioned themselves to respond to challenges and improve the lives of their members and to discuss the power and potential of co-operatives to promote equitable, democratic and sustainable development. Delegates will be inspired by renowned speakers, including Mark Surman and John Ralston Saul.
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CCCR Highlights Collaborative Solutions to Housing
In the absence of a national affordable housing strategy, the public, private, and social economy sectors should take collaborative action. The Canadian Centre for Community Renewal has drawn our attention to three housing developments located in the Fraser Valley that each demonstrate the productive power of partnerships. For example, Harmony Housing allows homeowners to bolster their incomes by renting out bachelor suites to seniors or individuals living with disabilities. Meanwhile, the Christine Lamb Residence offers round the clock support to women and children transitioning from emergency housing.
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