Leading by Example: CCEDNet Awarded for Excellence in Sustainability
 Earlier this month, CCEDNet-Manitoba was honoured by the Province of Manitoba with a Excellence in Sustainability Award. Each year, the Province celebrates individuals and organizations that turn the province's guidelines for sustainability into concrete achievements through the Awards. CCEDNet-Manitoba received the Education for Sustainability Award. This distinction recognizes our efforts to inform policymakers and citizens about the benefits and impacts of using a holistic approach towards sustainable development, which seeks to build strong, equitable and more environmentally-friendly communities. Two CCEDNet members, Assiniboine Credit Union and the Green Action Centre, were also recognized for their sustainable development work.  (Photo Credit: Tracy Goncalves, Province of MB)
Northern CED News
New Funding for Nunavut Housing
 The 2013 federal budget brought welcome news for housing advocates in Nunavut. Funding for two key affordable housing and homelessness programs were renewed in the budget. The Investment in Affordable Housing, which helps alleviate housing need by funding the provision, construction and repair of affordable housing, was renewed for 5 years at current funding levels. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy, which has enabled communities to address homelessness, including by investing in prevention, was renewed for 5 years, but has had its funding reduced. In addition, $100 million over two years was earmarked for new housing construction in Nunavut.
New Partners Strengthen Nunavut Sealift Services
 A 13-year-old partnership between Arctic Co-operatives Limited (ACL) and a Quebec-based company to provide sealift services to Nunavut communities has been strengthened with the addition of two Nunavut-based partners. ACL announced that two regional Inuit development corporations, Sakku Investments Corporation (Sakku) and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) are now partners in. (NSSI), which was created by ACL and Groupe Desgagnés in 2000 to transport much-needed goods and supplies to co-op stores in Nunavut. According to ACL, the involvement of Sakku and QC "will ensure that the economic benefits of our business operations continue to benefit the people of Nunavut."
(Source: CCA News)
Farmers' Market to Boost Access to Food from Northern Soil
 Purchasing local food in Yellowknife is about to get a whole lot easier. In response to popular demand, the Yellowknife Commons Cooperative will be launching a farmers' market this summer. The market will operate once a week from June to August in front of City Hall, and provide goods such as locally harvested fish, homemade preserves, and vegetables. Growing interest in local food has helped revive the farmers' market, which hasn't operated in the city since the 1990's. In addition to improving access to healthy and affordable food, the farmers market will also provide economic opportunities for local food producers. The Cooperative has more in store, as well - it also plans to secure land in Yellowknife that can designated for urban farmers who want to resell their produce to the public.
National CED News
Budget 2013: Good News for Housing, Disappointment for Credit Unions
 Canada's community development sector responded to the federal government's 2013 Budget last month with relief and concern on two important issues, in particular. Canadian credit unions were disappointed to learn that income taxes will soon be rising for credit unions due to the elimination of a long-standing tax measure. However, the Budget brought good news for housing advocates across the country. The Budget included five-year renewals of both the Affordable Housing Initiative ($1.25 billion) and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy ($600 million) with a new focus on 'housing first.' The budget also includes $100 million over two years for housing in Nunavut.
Groundbreaking Social Economy Act Introduced in Québec
 On March 19, the Québec Government introduced the Social Economy Act. The objective of this landmark bill is to recognize the contribution of the social economy to the socioeconomic development of Québec and to determine the role of the Government in that area. It works to promote the social economy and support its development through the creation and adaptation of policy tools, and to foster access to the Administration’s measures and programs for social economy enterprises. It is hoped that the Act will be passed by summer.
Canadian Co-ops Among the World's Most Sustainable
 Canada is home to two of the world's most sustainable co-operatives, according to a new global ranking by Corporate Knights magazine. The Most Sustainable Co-operatives in the World list awarded The Co-operators the top global spot, and the Desjardins Group placed third. The list is based on several variables related to social and environmental business leadership, including energy productivity, resource usage, sustainability mandate and board diversity. The top 10 list also includes co-operatives and mutuals from France. Germany, Japan and the United States. Along with the ranking, Corporate Knights included a profile of The Co-operators and its sustainability initiatives.
(Source: CCA News Brief)
CED Tool: Collaboration Coach
 The Collaboration Coach platform is designed to help your not-for-profit organization avoid common pitfalls, use successful strategies and make informed decisions about your collaborative initiatives and opportunities. More than a tool kit, Collaboration Coach aims to be a virtual coach. We invite you to spend some time exploring the various points of entry which guide you to reflective questions, tools and stories. This interactive online tool takes users through six key themes: 1) Understanding Collaboration 2) Investing in Collaboration 3) Building Effective Relationships 4) Creating Shared Governance 5) Setting and Monitoring Direction, and 6) Getting the Work Done.
CED Book Club: The Insiders Guide to Community Renewal
 The Insiders' Guides (IGs) are a series of 4-page cartoons that make mainstream some concepts and tools critical to community renewal. Developed with the assistance of a number of community economic development practitioners across the country, Insiders Guides use illustration and a straightforward text to be both informative and fun. The Guides were developed by the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal.
A Little Bird Told Us: Top Tweets of the Month
 Here is a brief sampling of some of our most popular tweets from the past 30 days. Click here to follow us on Twitter.
- The fundamental principle of #coops is reciprocity, "a simple but powerful idea" - John Restakis #neweconomy
- Income tax set to rise for #creditunions - Sector laments elimination of tax credit in #Budget2013 https://ccua.com/
- Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom https://ilsr.org/articles/2013-independent-business-survey/
- Tackling poverty with social enterprise. How #socent in Africa are addressing food poverty & food security http://ow.ly/jfVG0
- Building a social enterprise requires a holistic approach: Why it's vital to keep an eye on the big picture
- A good place to do social business: Québec introduces the Social Economy Act to support the development of #socent /en/new-in-ced/2013/03/20/social-economy-act-introduced-quebec
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