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2013 CWCF-CoopZone Conference

The CWCF-CoopZone Conference will take place in St. Albert (outside of Edmonton), Alberta, on November 7th to 9th, 2013.  The theme is: Educating Each Other for Empowerment.

Early-bird Registration for the 2013 Conference is now closed.  The final registration deadline is October 28, 2013.

There will be two great keynote speakers at the Conference:

Rebecca Kemble, President of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops, will speak about the new Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade (International Co-op Alliance, "ICA") and the international worker co-op association, CICOPA!

In addition to her role at the US FWC, Rebecca the President of CICOPA-North. America, Vice-President of CICOPA Americas and serves on the Executive Committee of CICOPA (worldwide). Rebecca is a worker-owner of Union Cab Cooperative where she has worked since 2000 as a night shift taxi driver as well as a mediator. She is also a founding member, writer and editor in the newly-formed Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative, and writes for The Progressive magazine.

The development of the Blueprint strategy was an outcome from the International Year of Co-operatives, This Blueprint is intended to provide the ICA and its members with a clear focal point for future activity, underpinned by ambitious goals.

Yvonne Chiu of the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op is an inspiring worker co-op made up of immigrants and refugees who work as health brokers, i.e. liaisons between the health system and the immigrant and refugee communities. They are a group of 54 Multicultural Health Brokers. They represent 22 different cultural and linguistic communities in Edmonton.

Many started as volunteers in their communities and were identified as natural leaders, and were brought in as paid Brokers with the Co-operative.

Other great reasons to attend the 2013 CWCF - CoopZone Conference

  •  Meet other worker co-operators and developers from across Canada!
  • Learn about the Indivisible Reserve (permanent co-op capital) and take part in deliberations on this important topic!
  • Learn practical new tools!
  • Attend the (optional) Worker Co-op Movie Night!

The program of events for the conference can be read here.

Registration information is available here.

Community Economic Development Investment Funds: the Nova Scotia Experience (Webinar Recording)

Check out this exclusive discussion, co-sponsored by Thrive, the Calgary CED Network and Calgary Economic Development.

BACKGROUND

Community Economic Development Investment Funds are pools of capital, formed through the sale of shares (or units), to persons within a defined community, created to operate or invest in one or more local businesses.  The Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit encourages local residents to invest in small businesses through CEDIFs with a personal tax credit of 35 per cent.  Over the 14 years of their existence, CEDIFs have grown from an untested concept to a proven model for community capital development that now manages more than $50 million in 48 funds, all raised from local individuals.  The model has been transferred to Prince Edward Island and other provinces have also expressed interest. 

This session introduces the CEDIF model, illustrates the impacts it has had redirecting investments for local impact, and considers key lessons from Nova Scotia’s success. 

PRESENTER

  • Chris Payne, Government of Nova Scotia
    Chris is Investment Manager for CEDIFs with Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.  He is a professional accountant (CMA) and has completed the Canadian Securities Course and the CICA in-depth GST/HST program.  He is also on the National Board of Examiners for the CMA.  He has been with the CEDIF program since before it began and promoted the investment tool throughout the province and internationally.

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