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.
Alberta CED News
Alberta Co-operators to Gather in Red Deer
The Alberta Community Co-operative Association will be hosting a Gathering of Alberta Co-ops on November 16-17. This event, which takes place in Red Deer, will build on the momentum and excitement of the International Year of Co-operatives. The purpose of this event will be to bring staff, members and directors of a wide cross section of co-ops together to dream and strategize about where co-ops in Alberta can go. Registration information will be posted shortly on the ACCA website.>>
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First Calgary Financial Leads the Way for a Living Wage
Vibrant Communities Calgary recognized
First Calgary Financial. as a Living Wage Leader, making the credit union the largest corporation in the city to receive the designation. For the past five years, First Calgary Financial has provided a living wage (or more) to all employees, while encouraging their suppliers to pay a Living Wage and preferentially sourcing from Living Wage employers.
Research suggests that paying a living wage reduces staff turnover and training costs and increases productivity. Providing fair compensation has also been shown to increase local spending and improve local economies. A Living Wage in Calgary amounts to $13.75/hour without benefits, based on Canada’s Low Income Cutoff for an individual living in a city, which stands at $22,667 annually.
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Rural Connections 2012 Conference and Tradeshow
What is a region? Why do they matter? How do they affect rural communities in Alberta and across Canada? If you’ve ever considered these questions, the Rural Connections 2012 Conference is a must-attend event. The conference will explore these, and other questions, through keynote speakers, presentations, workshops and panel sessions. Held from October 11 to 13, 2012 at Olds College in Olds, Alberta, the Alberta Rural Development Network is hosting this national conference in partnership with the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation and Olds College.
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The Calgary Co-operative Stampede
This past June, two celebrations aligned in Calgary: 2012 marks both the International Year of Co-operatives and the 100
th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. Amidst the colourful parade stood two special floats celebrating co-operatives and the IYC.
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Read moreThe boots, hats and denim may be back in the closet until next year’s Stampede, but many people may not know that the Calgary Stampede is one of Calgary’s oldest non-profit organization. To learn more about it’s community contributions, read this recent article in the Calgary Herald, which makes the case for the Stampede as a social enterprise.
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Momentum Helps Build Green Jobs
The Green Building stream, a current pilot project of Momentum’s Trades Training Program is proud to announce its recent successes. The apprenticeship program is aimed at helping to grow career skills among Calgary’s Aboriginal and newcomer communities. The program emphasizes sustainable building practices such as improving housing insulation and siding. The team at Momentum sees the pilot program as part of a broader movement working to align the concepts of ‘green’ and ‘consumer quality’ within the building community. CCEDNet joins Momentum (a long-time member) in congratulating the recent graduates.
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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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