CED Holiday Guide 2013
The holiday season is a time to celebrate community. And what better way to do that than by supporting the important community building work being done by CCEDNet members across the country. We've compiled a convenient list of local shopping guides and creative gift ideas to provide you with the tools and information you need to have a CED-filled holiday season. Enjoy!
Next CCEDNet Webinars: Insights from CED Leaders & Immigrant Entrepreneurship
Kick start your new year with two upcoming webinars hosted by the Canadian CED Network. The first session,
Looking Back & Looking Forward, takes place on January 21. In this webinar, three pillars of Canada's CED sector - Lynne Markell, David LePage, and Walter Hossli - will reflect on their experience, lessons learned and vision for the future of the sector. On February 11,
Community Supports for Immigrant Entrepreneurship, will examine methods for improving immigrant settlement through entrepreneurship opportunities. Registration is now open so sign up today!
CED Wire Updates
Notes from the Road - CED in Saskatoon: Brendan Reimer recently visited CCEDNet members that are building stronger communities in Saskatoon by improving food security, affordable housing options, and co-operative development | Read more- The Opportunities of Housing: Darcy Penner, Researcher and Policy Advisor for CCEDNet-Manitoba, writes about the member-led policy resolution on housing | Read more
- Manitoba Passes Accessibility Act: Darcy reports on this historic event | Read more
- 765 Inc: The Power of the Collective: Andi Sharma explores how to realize the full potential of co-location communities | Read more
Alberta CED News
New Report Surveys Alberta's Social Enterprise Sector
A new report provides a vivid picture and in-depth profile of Alberta's social enterprise sector. In 2011, the 65 responding social enterprises generated at least $96 million in revenues, including at least $71 million in sales. They paid close to $34 million in wages and salaries to 8,190 people, of whom more than 6,610 were employed as part of the mission of the organization. This report builds on a national project by partners at SFU and Mount Royal Universities to study the social enterprise sector in Canada. Previous studies have taken place in Alberta and British Columbia (2010), Manitoba (2011), New Brunswick (2011) and Ontario (2012).
Alberta's Co-operative Headlines
- First Calgary Financial credit union was named among Canada's 10 most admired corporate cultures of 2013
- The Alberta Community Co-op Association is inviting up to 25 individuals on an eight-day tour of the U.K. in April 2014. A major purpose of the study tour is to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of how the Plunkett Foundation and other British co-operative organizations operate
- The villages of Hussar (popn 176) and Foremost, Alberta (population 526) are the first two communities to win $50,000 each in UFA Co-operative Ltd.'s Rural from the Roots Up -Get 'n Give contest
The Gradual Decline of Homelessness in Calgary
Among Canadian cities, the most explosive growth in homelessness rates has taken place in Calgary. Since 1994, the number of recorded homeless individuals has risen sharply from 400 to 3,600. In recent years, however, the city has taken significant steps reduce this problem, which resulted in an 11% decrease from 2008-2011. In their case study report, the Canadian Homelessness Research Network cites Calgary as a leader in this respect due to its long-term battle against homelessness, systems-response services, and housing first programs.
National CED News
The Marks are In: Canada's Poverty Report Card 2013
The 2013 national report card on child and family poverty presents the latest poverty statistics in Canada and makes policy recommendations for taking leadership on this challenge. The report, titled
Canada's Real Economic Action Plan Begins with Poverty Eradication, sets out practical actions the Canadian government can take that would reduce the child poverty rate by 15% and also highlights the need for a national strategy on affordable housing. The report also calls for a public system of high quality early childhood education and childcare services that are affordable and available to all children.
Celebrating the Legacy of a Great Canadian Co-operator
Canada’s co-operative movement mourned the passing of one of its leaders last month - historian, educator, and passionate co-operator Ian MacPherson. Ian was a pillar of the co-operative movement in Canada, having been the founding President of the Canadian Co-operative Association, and a prolific author of dozens of books and articles. He was also known internationally for his role in the 1995 revision of the co-operative principles and his work linking co-operatives to peace and social cohesion. To honour his legacy, a group of co-operative organizations have partnered to establish the Ian MacPherson Legacy Fund, which will support students undertaking co-operative research and engagement projects.
Celebrating Canada's Social Finance Leaders
The second annual Social Finance Awards were held in Toronto earlier this month to celebrate the organizations and community leaders that are catalyzing the Canadian social finance marketplace. This year's event, titled Progress & Possibility: Building a Market for Impact, was hosted by SocialFinance.ca and the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing. Among the many impressive nominees, this year's winners were:
- Excellence awards: Vancity (community development), Schulich School of Business at York University (sector talent building), Edmonton Community Foundation (mission investing)
- Most Promising Social Finance Collaboration: Rise Asset Development. Runners-up: Microloan Fund and Sarona Asset Management
CED Tool: Where We Live Matters
Where We Live Matters is an exploration into what we already know about neighbourhood development, what successes exist and what challenges continue. This paper presents an approach to neighbourhood work based on best and promising practice. It also acknowledges some of the limitations to and challenges of neighbourhood work that arise from the larger social structures and relationships of power in which neighbourhoods are situated and in which residents seek to build their own futures.
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.
- Why we should take the co-operative business model more seriously: #coops provide sustainable alternative biz models ow.ly/r5gHD
- "Money does not spend the same." $100 spent in local business leaves $45 in the community. National chains leave $15 ow.ly/rjVEH
- Honouring a co-op legacy: Ian MacPherson Legacy Fund will support students in #coop research and engagement projects ow.ly/rwC3x
- #ShopLocal & give the gift of stronger communities this season. Here's a list of resources to get you started: ow.ly/rBRqy
- Marty Donkervoort talks to @SEEChangemag about the success and challenges of #socent Inner City Renovations ow.ly/rp3WV
- CED Holiday Guide 2013: Check out our list of tips and resources for shopping local this season ow.ly/rtI3O
Happy Holidays from CCEDNet!
The Board and staff of CCEDNet wish you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the new year.
