August 2008

In this issue:

Is there a market for Community-Based Carbon Offsets?: In fall 2007, the Government of BC committed to being carbon neutral by 2010. It's pretty much impossible to change your infrastructure in such a short time period, and so the only way government can achieve that goal is by purchasing carbon or greenhouse gas offsets. The BC government will pay $25 to remove one tonne of carbon; they have committed to investing 100% of this money in BC. This could be a great opportunity for social enterprises, social entrepreneurs and the community economic development sector. The Ministry of Environment is in the process of developing the Emission Offsets Regulations. Public input is welcome until August 29. Click here to read more>>

Include your voice in government consultations! Click here to read more>>

Bursaries awarded to participants of the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals. On behalf of the Canadian CED Network, Coast Capital Savings and the Vancity Community Foundation it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the recipients of the 2008 Bursaries for the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals. Click here to read more>>

GOOD IDEAS
NEW KNOWLEDGE & RESOURCES
EVENTS
FUNDING & CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES
JOBS

FEATURE: Is there a market for Community-Based Carbon Offsets?

In fall 2007, the Government of BC committed to being carbon neutral by 2010. It's pretty much impossible to change your infrastructure in such a short time period, and so the only way government can achieve that goal is by purchasing carbon or greenhouse gas offsets. The BC government will pay $25 to remove one tonne of carbon; they have committed to investing 100% of this money in BC. This could be a great opportunity for social enterprises, social entrepreneurs and the community economic development sector. The Ministry of Environment is in the process of developing the Emission Offsets Regulations. Public input is welcome until August 29.

The BC Government will be buying between 600 000 and 900 000 credits per year: that's $15 to $22.5 million that will be invested in projects intended to reduce carbon. For community-based groups who are anxious to confirm capital for everything from organic farms and car share co-operatives to energy retrofits for low income households, this is an important regulation.

When buying offsets - just like the carbon tax - you are buying the ‘right to pollute.' Offsetting and carbon taxes could be good policy if the money is invested in projects that result in people doing things differently (eating local, cycling to work) so that we reduce the amount of carbon emissions heating up the planet.

The trick is figuring out how to invest money in projects and how to measure the impact that those projects have. Planting trees is benign, but planting trees in a way that provides shade and reduces the use of air conditioners is effective. Measuring the impact of offsets is not straightforward. There are no generally accepted accounting principles or certifying body. Another problem with offsetting is the price people and governments are willing and able to pay and the actual cost of removing carbon. How much carbon could be reduced by investing all the offsets in public transportation or organic farms? This is the gist of the government consultation; submissions are being accepted until August 29, 2008. This will be the basis of regulating greenhouse gas offset projects.

CCEDNet will submit a brief. Please send your comments to Nicole at nchaland@ccednet-rcdec.ca

The government's objectives and proposed regulations are available for review here
Additional information is available here

Include your voice in government consultations:

It seems like summer-time is the preferred time of year for government consultations. Here's three more:

1. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is proposing to revise legislation (Income Tax Act) affecting charities. CCEDNet is studying this issue to gain a better understanding of how this might affect charities in Canada. CRA is accepting comments on this issue until August 31 and we encourage you to submit a response. CCEDNet is also drafting a response and we would love to hear your feedback. Please send your comments to Matthew Thompson at mthompson@ccednet-rcdec.ca. For more information, please click here>>

2. Government of Canada Launches Engagement Process on Aboriginal Economic Development - read more here

3. BC's Climate Action Plan - click here to read the full report. The public has until September 30 to comment on the recommendations.

Bursaries Awarded to Participants of the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals

On behalf of the Canadian CED Network, Coast Capital Savings and the Vancity Community Foundation it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the recipients of the 2008 Bursaries for the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals.

All of the applicants have our sincere thanks and respect for the work they do, re-localizing and democratizing BC's economy, one community at a time.

The 2008 Bursary Award Winners are:

RICHMOND
• Brian Campbell, at the Richmond Food Security Task Force, will be developing social enterprises related to food sustainability and enhancing the viability of Richmond Pocket Markets. Click here for more information.

NANAIMO
• Jessica Chenery will be developing The First Feast (Food Enterprise and Skills Training) which will create economic opportunities for Aboriginal women in B.C. in small scale food production with the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of British Columbia

VICTORIA
• Rosalyn Cua will be developing a multi-media social enterprise for Anti-dote: Multiracial Girls and Women's Network, where she is the incoming president. Anti-dote is committed to increasing the well-being of racialized and Indigenous women and girls. www.anti-dote.org

VICTORIA
• Brian Hill, currently Executive Director at Victoria's Child and Family Counseling Association is spearheading three exciting CED projects including an Office Co-operative for Non-profits, Affordable Youth Housing and Adult Community Living Services. www.cafca.ca

VANCOUVER
• Maggie Kasekende, will apply her studies to a new project with Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House called Building Welcoming and Inclusive Neighbourhoods , which focuses on how welcoming neighbourhoods can help newcomers and established immigrants to integrate to their new community. For more information, click here.

ABBOTSFORD
• Kevin Koopmans, currently working with Community Futures South Fraser will support the newly launched Vibrant Abbotsford which has a mandate to reduce poverty through systematic change to community conditions. For more information, click here.

VANCOUVER
• Brian Postlewait, currently Executive Director at Mission Possible, an organization in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, will be using this opportunity to help steer his organization to implement their new mandate which is to deliver meaningful work, safe and secure housing, and a supportive community to those experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction. Brian will be exploring the development of a social enterprise to provide training opportunities. www.mission-possible.ca

SURREY
• Hans Rosenow, will assist the Phoenix Society develop a community centre that will provide opportunities for people recovering from addictions to build financial, physical, human, social and personal assets. www.phoenixsociety.com

VANCOUVER
• Amar S. Virk, with Building Opportunities for Business (BOB), will be supporting a development model that is inclusive of Downtown Eastside residents and coordinating a Social Purchasing Portal. BOB is a non-profit organization with the goal to support local business development and increase job opportunities for inner-city residents. www.buildingopportunities.org

We hope you will join us in congratulating the 2008 bursary recipients.

The SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals has been training problem-solvers and change agents since 1999. Our students are managers of Community Futures Development Corporations, program officers of non-profits and neighbourhood associations, economic development officers of municipal and First Nation's governments and individuals looking to specialize in CED. The eight two-day courses - all taught by experienced practitioners - put tools, knowledge, resources and networks immediately into the hands of our students. For more information about the program, click here >>

GOOD IDEAS

Did you know that nearly half of youth living on the street in Canada were in foster care? Get Involved. Homelessness Action Week October 12-18 www.stophomelessness.ca/

NEW KNOWLEDGE & RESOURCES

The Affordable City: Municipal Support for Shared Equity Homeownership
There has been a gradual shift in municipal housing policy in the United States over the past decade. A growing number of cities are supporting innovative models of homeownership that permanently protect the public's investment and permanently preserve the affordability of these homes, one resale after another. Community land trusts have been the principal beneficiary of this policy shift, along with limited equity cooperatives and deed-restricted houses and condominiums. SFU's City program & the Centre for Sustainable Community Development hosted a lecture by John Davis, whose co-operative has helped to start or to support over 80 Community Land Trusts throughout the US. Listen to the podcast here>>
The Way Home is a new documentary about homelessness in BC. View the trailer here

EVENTS

1. New! Register ONLINE for the SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals. Upcoming courses:
Victoria
Community Participation and CED, September 26-27
Developing CED Enterprises, November 28-29
Vancouver
Local Development and the Global Economy, October 24-25

2. Homelessness Action Week, October 12-18 www.stophomelessness.ca/

FUNDING & CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Workplace Literacy and Essential Skills - The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
Deadline: September 15 (Website)
2. Everybody Active Seed Grants - BC Healthy Living Alliance
Deadline: October 31 (Website)