A new report revealed alarming information about food security in Alberta. “Vital Signs Edmonton – a report on food security” examines the availability of healthy food in the city and province, and reports on how people can better access nutritious food. The report, produced by the Edmonton Community Foundation, finds that 12% of Albertans experienced food insecurity in 2011, while 2.5% of those experienced severe food insecurity.
Recruiting Community Leaders in Calgary
Simon Fraser University is recruiting twenty-four leaders to take the Community Economic Development program from January to May 2014 with a special cohort of Calgary's most active change-makers. Thrive, Calgary's CED Network, is hosting this learning opportunity. The CED Certificate Program empowers you to start building a local living economy today. The instructors teach methods that work, that move us to sustainability, and can be implemented by neighbourhoods and communities with limited resources. Apply between Oct 18 and November 28.
Housing First Pays off in Calgary
An innovative housing program run by the Calgary Homeless Foundation has revealed that placing people in homes, instead of shelters, pays off in the long-run. The Foundation placed 759 people in homes from 2011-2012, and found dramatic reductions in contacts with police, calls to EMS, hospital visits and incarcerations. A spokeperson for CHF stated the results validate the “housing first” philosophy underpinning Calgary's 10-year plan to end homelessness.
[Source: Calgary Herald]
Alberta Kicks Off the Co-operative Decade
The Gathering of Alberta Co-ops held earlier this month was a unique opportunity for the province's co-op sector to come together, celebrate and draw inspiration from one another. The conference provided attendees with the opportunity to stretch beyond their home co-operative and, for some, to explore the possibilities of a co-op model for the first time. Using the framework of the five “pillars” from the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, the conference showcased Alberta co-ops focused on participation, sustainability, identity, legal/government relations and capital.
[Source: Alberta Community Co-operative Association]
Social Enterprise Creates High Tech Opportunities
The tech industry employs over 200,000 people in North America. Thanks to one social enterprise, those employment opportunities are now more accessible to individuals living with various disabilities in Calgary. Meticulon hires IT consultants to perform an array of highly specialized tasks such as data management and scanning services. What sets this company apart from the competition is that it employs exceptionally talented individuals with autism and supports them through their professional development.
National CED News
A Year to Remember: Relive Canada's IYC 2012
Feeling nostalgic for last year's International Year of Co-operatives? Relive the fun and excitement with the Canadian Co-operative Association's Final Report on IYC 2012 in Canada. The report includes photos and stories that evoke the creativity and celebration from coast, to coast, to coast. The report highlights the hundreds of events that reached thousands of people, dozens of new programs aimed at educating members and thousands of co-ops rallying around the IYC theme.
Co-operative Education Opportunities
The Canadian Co-operative Association has compiled a list of Canadian university and colleges that offer post-secondary education opportunities on co-operatives. The list includes programs from coast to coast that cater to both students and co-operative professionals already active in the field. This is an ongoing project so if you know of any programs that should be added to the list, contact
Erin Hancock.
Poverty in Canada: The Good News & Bad
There is both good and bad news to be found in the Poverty Trends Highlights: Canada 2013 report. Poverty Trends Highlights finds that Canada's poverty rate is at a record low, although that depends which measure is used. Despite this dip, the poverty gap continues to widen, and the rates of poverty are still climbing for lone-parent families. The report, released by Citizens for Public Justice, concludes that we can effectively reduce poverty if governments make it a priority, but the evidence shows further action is needed.
CED Tool: Green Economy at the Community Scale
Green Economy at Community Scale is one of the first research-based explorations of the green economy at the local level. The report is drawn from the authors’ original analysis of the flow of natural and financial assets at the national level. It analyses conceptual foundations, and provides empirical evidence, for more sustainable community-based economic activities. The final section of the report draws together findings and identifies positive steps towards the creation of green local economies.
The lack of accessible financial tools are one of the largest barriers to co-op development and expansion in Manitoba. Fortunately, there are solutions. New CCEDNet research explores the potential to create a province-wide community development investment fund, expanding on the Province's existing 
In this age of growing concern for social and environmental conditions, youth are increasingly looking for purpose driven employment opportunities in the hopes of developing mission-related careers. Last week, CCEDNet hosted a webinar titled, Youth Employment in the Social Economy: How a New Generation Can Generate New Opportunities in CED. A recording of the webinar is now available. The session introduces examples of how youth can take charge of their own careers within the Social Economy, both by creating their own initiatives and by finding ways to integrate themselves into existing programs and projects.
A new report revealed alarming information about food security in Alberta. “Vital Signs Edmonton – a report on food security” examines the availability of healthy food in the city and province, and reports on how people can better access nutritious food. The report, produced by the Edmonton Community Foundation, finds that 12% of Albertans experienced food insecurity in 2011, while 2.5% of those experienced severe food insecurity.
Here is a brief sampling of some of our most popular tweets from the past 30 days. 
