March Newsletter 2010
Welcome to the March 2010 Issue of the Canadian CED Network's e-newsletter for the Ontario Region, your information resource on the latest news and projects in CED in Ontario.
Please contact us with your comments by emailing Ontario@ccednet-rcdec.ca.
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Avez-vous une idée intéressante pour un article du bulletin? Souhaitez-vous que votre organisme à être présenté dans notre prochaine édition?
Nous cherchons toujours des moyens de rendre nos bulletins électroniques plus intéressants à plus de gens. Nous tenons également à mieux promouvoir les communautés et les activités francophones au milieu de DÉC dans la province. Si vous avez une idée géniale pour un article, ou si vous souhaitez partager des informations intéressantes sur votre organisme ou quelques choses qui se passent dans votre communauté, nous voulons vous entendre.
Veillez à envoyer un courriel à ontario@ccednet-rcdec.ca avec tous les idées, articles, etc., que vous auriez.
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In This Issue
- National Summit on a People-centred Economy
- Strengthening the Movement: Next Steps To Building a People-Centred Economy
- Social Economy Enterprises featured in Toronto Star
- Home Ownership Alternatives: Recommendations for 2010 Ontario Budget
- Summary of Canadian Social Economy Hub's Telelearning Session on Social Housing
- Ontario Nonprofit Network 2010 Conference: Our Sector, Our Vision
- Third Annual Social Economy Symposium
- Lunchbox Speakers' Series: Social Capital Financing
- On Co-op's Annual MPP/Queen's Park Reception
- Powering Up Aboriginal Energy
- $200,000 Transition Investment to Ontario Rural Institute
- ANSER Annual Conference
1. National Summit on a People-Centred Economy
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN.
The Canadian CED Network would like to remind you to join the movement for economic alternatives at the 2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy. From cooperatives that have existed for more than a centure to the latest innovative social enterprises, citizen-led efforts to build a people-centred economy are rich in their history and diversity. In the face of recent economic turmoil and growing ecological crises, these approaches are more relevant than ever.
The 2010 National Summit on a People-Centred Economy will bring together leaders and representatives of the community economic development, cooperative, and social economy sectors to build a common agenda and mobilize action for a secure, sustainable economy that puts people and the planet first.
The Summit will be centred on six themes:
1. Finance and Investment
2. Enterprise Development
3. Territorial Revitalization
4. Organizing the Social Economy Marketplace
5. Partnerships / Sector Development
6. International
The summit takes place May 30th - June 1st, 2010 at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. For more information on the event, please click here. To register, please click here. We also encourage you to check out the Summit's wiki page where each of the issue papers for the six themes are available.
The following networks/organizations are currently engaged in the national steering group coordinating this event: the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, the Canadian Co-operative Association, le Chantier de l’économie sociale, the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships, Causeway, the Social Enterprise Council of Canada, Enterprising Non-Profits, the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal, the Women’s Economic Council, and the BC-Alberta Research Alliance on the Social Economy.
2. Strengthening the Movement: Next Steps To Building a People-Centred Economy
The Canadian CED Network invites you to attend Strengthening the Movement, a discussion facilitated by Rupert Downing, Co-Director of the Social Economy Research Hub.
The event will be held on April 14th, 2010, 1:00p.m. - 3:30p.m.
Location: The Social Economy Centre
CIDE Smart Room on the 7th Floor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6. You can access OISE directly from St. George subway station.
Please RSVP to ontario@ccednet-rcdec.ca and include whether you are attending in-person or if you need sign-in information for the webinar broadcast.
This discussion is part of a series of events leading up to the 2010 Summit on a People-Centred Economy, May 30th – June 1st, 2010. Discussion will be around the issue paper, Strengthening the Movement, which is available in pdf format or through the wiki set up for the Summit.
This paper is one of six that will help to develop a common agenda for transforming our economy to address a triple-bottom line. This agenda needs to be developed with input from as many actors as possible, from local nonprofits to large umbrella organizations and from small-scale social enterprises to industry leading co-operatives, since all of these contributors will have a role to play within the final action plan.
This half-day event will be held following the Ontario Nonprofit Network’s Conference and the Ontario Social Economy Symposium to ensure that your perspectives, and those of other actors within the non-profit, co-operative, and social economy sectors, are reflected in the issue paper Strengthening the Movement as part of the upcoming National Summit on a People-Centred Economy.
We encourage your participation in this half-day event, as well as other upcoming in-person, teleconference and web-based engagement opportunities around the Summit themes.
Agenda:
2. Presentation on policy findings from the social economy research program:
- international developments in building a more people-centered economy
- developments in Canada
- management and governance of the sector
- next steps for building a more people-centered economy in Canada
3. Discussion - ask questions, provide feedback, and add your comments
4. Next steps - the summit in May/June 2010
- other national and Ontario movement-building events and opportunities
3. Social Economy Enterprise featured in Toronto Star
On February 2nd, The Toronto Star featured an article on the importance of social economy enterprises titled, "Purpose trumps profit: In social economy enterprises, mission takes precedence over money making" by Stuart Laidlaw. The article focuses on one specific enterprise, the Phoenix Print Shop, which employs at-risk youth and teaches them the necessary skills to get into the workplace. The benefits of social economy in Canada are outlined but it is also stated that the sector is still largely ignored. The article also discusses the aims of the recent book launch of Understanding the Social Economy: A Canadian Perspective by Jack Quarter, Ann Armstrong, and Laurie Mook. One major goal of both the launch and the text is to get business schools to treat social economy as a beneficial sector and allow business professors a means to teach students about it. The article argues that social economy is very important to the business sector, not only financially but in volunteer gains, and in providing help finding work for those most vulnerable in Canada.
To read the article in its entirely, please click here.
Phoenix Print Shop is a social enterprise of Eva's Initiatives.
4. Home Ownership Alternatives: recommendations for 2010 Ontario Budget
On February 2nd, Home Ownership Alternatives (HOA) presented to the Ontario Legislature’s Finance and Economic Affairs Committee as the committee prepares its recommendations for the 2010 Ontario Budget.
During the presentation, HOA stressed three of the recommendations it made in its submission to the Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy:
1. Leverage Ontario’s financial strength to support affordable housing through an expanded mandate for Infrastructure Ontario,
2. Target the sale of surplus government land for affordable housing, and
3. Introduce a tax credit for low and modest income home purchasers.
HOA proposed that modest supports of affordable ownership housing can provide economic stimulus and family equity creation without causing large new financing commitments for the Province.
To read HOA's remarks to the committee, click here.
5. Summary of Canadian Social Economy Hub's telelearning session on Social Housing
The Canadian Social Economy Hub held their 18th telelearning session titled The Role of the Social Economy in Meeting Diverse Housing Needs on February 16th. The discussion involved talks from David Hulchanski, Associate Director for Research at the University of Toronto’s Cities Centre and Professor of housing and community development in the Faculty of Social Work, and George Penfold, Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk College in Castelgar, B.C.
David discussed a brief history of social housing in Canada and its evolution over the years, and a description of the current state of social housing in Canada compared to other areas such as Europe, where the percentage of social housing is much higher on average. This history was used as a precursor to discussing better alternatives and actions.
George discussed a variety of strategies for social housing units including redevopment of brown sites into housing developments, volunteering from residents, green construction to lower operational costs, partnerships with non-profit and profit groups to supply appliances and other needs, and a discussion of social enterprise to achieve subsidized income. The need for upper-level government contribution was addressed.
A question and answer period followed along with an internet chat line to post questions and pertinent information regarding the session. For those who were not able to attend the event, the full recorded session is available by clicking here.
6. Ontario Nonprofit Network: Our Sector, Our Vision
Join the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) and fellow sector colleagues in this pivotal, action-oriented event taking place April 12th - 13th at Hart House, University of Toronto. This two-day provincial conference brings together leaders from the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to shape the course of Ontario’s nonprofits and charities.
The focus of this year's conference is to move ideas into action. Since the last conference in May 2009, ONN has travelled across the province to meet with organizations and learn about the issues they are facing in their communities. Through this process, the top six priorities of Ontario's nonprofits and charities were discussed and now it's time to move into the next phase — ACTION!
For more information on speakers, prices, registration, and times, please click here.
7. Third Annual Social Economy Symposium
The Social Economy Centre's 2010 symposium is an opportunity for university researchers and community organizations to discuss cutting-edge research issues facing the social economy. It is the third annual symposium of a research/education project on Southern Ontario's Social Economy funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The symposium is structured to allow for dialogue by all participants. The symposium will be held at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor Street West, University of Toronto, Toronto on April 12th - 13th.
For more information and registration options, please click here.
8. Lunchbox Speakers' Series: Social Capital Financing
The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) presents the next talk in their Lunchbox Speakers' Series centred on "Social Capital Financing", featuring Joanna Reynolds (Causeway Social Finance), Anne Jamieson (United Way Toronto), and Karim Harji (Social Capital Partners).
Joanna Reynolds will discuss how social capital financing is proving to be a successful way to leverage private capital, providing resources and flexibility needed to maintain and expand enterprising initiatives.
Anne Jamieson will focus on the challenges that non-profit, charitable social enterprises have in accessing finance - including their internal capacity, the regulatory environment, and the availability of social finance.
Karim Harji will explore the key trends, issues, and opportunities for investors seeking a combination of economic, social, and environmental ("blended value") returns.
The talk will take place on Wednesday, March 24th from noon - 1:30p.m. at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto (Room 5-250). This event will also be broadcast live on the Internet. Please click here for details.
To view the flyer for the series, please click here.
For more information, please contact Lisa White.
9. On Co-op’s Annual MPP/Queen’s Park Reception
The Ontario Co-operative Association invites you to attend the annual MPP/Queen’s Park Reception taking place on April 21st from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Queen’s Park. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the strength and diversity of the sector and create awareness of the much needed provincial Cooperatives Secretariat.
The day will include delicious food and wine from Ontario’s own co-operatives, as well as a chance to mingle with MPP’s, Cabinet Ministers, public policy makers, and other co-op representatives. Last year, the event attracted over 30 MPP’s and more than 100 co-op representatives.
Pre-registration is required for this event. Please register by sending your contact information to Jennifer Ross at info@ontario.coop or by phone at 1-888-745-5521. You can also register online.
10. Powering Up Aboriginal Energy
The Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) invites you to attend their 4th Annual Developing Aboriginal Renewable Energy Projects Conference: Powering Up Aboriginal Energy. The event will take place April 26th - 27th at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
With the new Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, the Government of Canada committed to diversify and leverage partnerships supporting Aboriginal businesses in order to maximize access to capital. Over $350 billion in major resource and energy developments have been identified in or near Aboriginal communities in Canada. In this context there are an increasing number of tools available for small, medium, and large-sized Aboriginal businesses supporting advice, equity, and debt financing.
Who Should Attend:
-First Nation Chiefs, CEOs, COOs, CFOs
-Energy Industry Analysts
-Oil & Gas development engineers
-Venture Capitalists and Investment Bankers
-Investment Advisors
-First Nation Administrators, including legal counsel
-First Nation Economic Development Officers
-Tribal Council Technical Advisors
-Municipal Officials in Public Works
-Civil Engineering Firms – Project Managers and Consulting Engineers
-Environmental and Lawyers in the Energy/Power Sector
What you can expect from this conference:
-Cross country representation in delegates and speakers
-Opportunities to network and learn from others in the business
-Lengthy workshops that provide both information and the opportunity to discuss issues
-An important mix of attendees that includes government officials, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and First Nation representatives.
For more details on this event and registration information, please click here.
11. $200,000 Transition Investment to Rural Ontario Institute
On February 23rd, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Carol Mitchell, announced a $200,000 transition investment to the Rural Ontario Institute, which will help with the amalgamation of The Centre for Rural Leadership (TCRL) and The Ontario Rural Council (TORC).
The investment includes $160,000 for the amalgamation as well as a $40,000 investment into the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, which is currently run through TCRL but will continue under the Rural Ontario Institute.
April 1st, 2010 is the official start date for The Rural Ontario Institute. It is hoped that the merger will open the door for firmer partnerships and, in joining resources, a stronger voice in furthering The Rural Ontario Institute's mandate.
12. ANSER Annual Conference
ANSER (The Association of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research) will hold its annual conference as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences at Concordia University, June 2nd to 4th, 2010. Henry Mintzberg of McGill University will be the keynote speaker, Wednesday, June 2nd, at 4 pm. Anyone with an interest in the conference is invited to attend.
If you wish to attend the ANSER/ARES 2010 Conference, see registration details through the website of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. There is a reduction for early registration before March 31st, 2010. The Congress website also includes information on accommodation, discounts for travel, and local information.
Please send any questions about the ANSER conference to anser.ares@gmail.com.