In this issue:

2008 Federal Election Common Platform - CCEDNet, along with four major networks representing thousands of CED & Social Economy organizations across Canada, propose a new partnership between communities and the Canadian gvernment to build a stronger economy, invest in sustainable communities and tackle poverty. Click here>>

Re-evaluating Fundraising Policy for Charities in Canada's Income Tax Act -Read CCEDNet's membership response to changes in Canada's Income Tax Act. Click here>>

Understanding and Responding to Neighbourhood Decline and Renewal -Prepared by Nicole Chaland (CCEDNet) and Lorenzo Magzul, this paper explores the role that CED can play in protecting neighbourhoods and residents from the unintended negative consequences of gentrification. Click here>>

Announcement: CCEDNet opening new office in Ottawa- click here>>

Announcing Bursary Recipients - SFU Certificate Program for CED Professionals. Click here>>

Remembering Katharine Pearson (1955-2008)- Click here>>

Read the Senate Reports on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness - click here>>

New Publication: Government Policies towards CED and the Social Economy in Quebec and Manitoba (John Loxley and Dan Simpson) - This paper explores the state of CED & social economy activities in both Quebec and Manitoba. Click here>>

National Jobs & Events Listings - Click here>>

Keep up-to-date on 'What's New in CED' by visiting our website (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca) - Click here>>

2008 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMON PLATFORM:

Recommendations for the Federal Government on Community Economic Development and the Social Economy

Five major networks - the Canadian Co-operative Association, the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Chantier de l'économie sociale, Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité, and the Conseil Canadien de la Coopération - representing thousands of co-operatives, community-based organizations, and non-profit enterprises across the country, propose a new partnership between communities and the Canadian government to build a stronger economy, invest in sustainable communities, and tackle poverty.

With our economy under stress from the growing downturn in the United States and the continuing pressures of globalization, we believe that now - more than ever - Canada needs stronger policies for community economic development (CED). A commitment by the Government of Canada to support CED and the social economy will allow Canada to join the growing number of countries around the world that have adopted policies to support this rapidly growing movement.

Through our networks rooted in every region of Canada, we have seen how community economic development can help to create resilient communities. Social economy enterprises and organizations, both co-operative and non-profit, have been successful in responding to local needs, including housing, health, environment, agriculture, culture, recreation, tourism, and childcare.

People working together to deal with common economic and social problems can have a powerful positive impact on rural, urban and Aboriginal communities. In many communities, businesses are closing down or moving away while community-led social economy organizations remain rooted, delivering valuable services, creating opportunities, and maintaining jobs.

Our impact is far-reaching. Canada's co-operative sector has assets of $250-billion. Canadians have more than 17 million memberships in co-operative organizations and the sector provides over 150,000 jobs. In 2001, the GDP of the core non-profit sector amounted to $25.4-billion, representing 2.5% of the overall economy. This share increases to $80.3-billion or 6.8% of GDP when hospitals, universities and colleges are included.

Recommendations include:

• A Greater Role for Social Enterprise in Economic Revitalization
• Support for New and Emerging Co-ops
• Sustainable Support for Community Economic Development (CED) Organizations and Community Capacity Building
• Support for Technical Resources and Expertise for Enterprising Non-Profits
• Access to Capital
• A National Anti-Poverty Strategy with Targets, Timetables and Resources.

To download the full document, including expanded information on the recommendations, please click here>>

Re-evaluating Fundraising Policy for Charities in Canada's Income Tax Act

We would like to congratulate the Canadian Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charities Directorate for realizing the need to address the concerns of the public around the accountability of charities and the appropriateness of certain charitable activities.

Fundraising activities are extremely important to the work and sustainability of charities and the Income Tax Act must reflect this reality while also outlining what is acceptable within the fundraising activities of charitable organizations. We feel strongly that no responsible charity would deny that the public has a right to know as clearly as possible how the finances of a charity work, particularly as to how a charity disburses its revenue for charitable purposes as distinct from its administrative and fund-raising costs.

CCEDNet has reviewed the CRA's Proposed Policy and Backgrounder as well as many of the briefings of other involved organizations and key players. We have also sent out a briefing to our members whose feedback has helped to inform our response.

To read the full report, please click here>>

Understanding and Responding to Neighbourhood Decline and Renewal
Prepared by Nicole Chaland (CCEDNet) and Lorenzo Magzul

Within a CED approach, housing initiatives can strengthen neighbourhoods by rehabilitating or adding to housing stock, while also contributing to social inclusion and cohesion, social capital, employment opportunities, access to services and an improved quality of life for residents. The active participation of residents in all aspects of the design and implementation of a housing strategy for a neighbourhood renewal ensures that the initiative responds to, and is suitable to, local situations. Importantly, with its focus on redirecting economic and social benefits to community members, CED can play an important role in protecting neighbourhoods and residents from the unintended negative consequences of gentrification.

Click here to read the full document>>

CCEDNet Opening New Office - Ottawa, ON

In winter 2008, CCEDNet will be opening a new office in Ottawa, ON. We look forward to this opportunity to build on our presence with the federal government and increase collaboration with national partners located in the region. CCEDNet's Executive Director, Mike Toye, will be working out of our new Ottawa location.

Announcing Bursary Recipients - 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 we introduce 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 to re-localize and democratize BC's economy.

To read more about the 2008 Bursary Award Winners, please click here>>

Remembering Katharine Pearson (1955-2008)

With admiration the Canadian CED Network remembers Katharine Pearson, an influential leader, terrific ally and inspiring friend. Through her work at the McConnell Foundation, Katharine was a dedicated supporter of CCEDNet and the CED movement. Our work in communities will continue to be driven by the values she espoused - inclusion, compassion and perseverance - and the legacy she left behind.

To view the guest book tribute, please click here>>

To read the McConnell Foundation announcement, please click here>>

Read the Senate Reports on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness

Rural Poverty: Recommendations include renewing the Social Economy Initiative, endorsing the Co-op Housing strategy, CDI renewal, targets for rural poverty reduction, rural broadband initiatives and CAP funding, a study on guaranteed annual income, housing initiatives, literacy funding renewals, support for CFDCs and expanding micro-credit options, support for new and expanding credit unions, and much more.
Read the report here>>

Poverty, Housing and Homelessness: Recommendations on Income Support Systems, Facilitating a Transition from Social Assistance to Self-Sufficiency and Making Work Pay, Poverty Beyond Money, Housing, Machinery (Government Infrastructure) and more.
Read the report here>>

New Publication: Government Policies towards CED and the Social Economy in Quebec and Manitoba (John Loxley and Dan Simpson)

This paper explores the state of CED & social economy activities in both Quebec and Manitoba and recent government policies in support of them. It seeks to separate out the similarities and differences between the two provinces and their underlying causes. It also suggests what might be unique about the two situations and, where this is thought not to be the case, what lessons others might usefully learn from them.

This publication is part of the Linking, Learning, Leveraging SSHRC-funded research project investigating the Social Economy. This project is comprised of multiple community partner organizations, academic researchers, and university students.

To read the full document, please click here>>

Jobs & Events

• For national CED job listings, please click here>>
• For national CED event listings, please click here>>

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