Invisible Economy Encompasses 18 Million Canadians: Experts in co-op movement available – Thursday, September 21, 2006

Media Advisory

Invisible Economy Encompasses 18 Million Canadians
Experts in co-op movement available – Thursday, September 21, 2006

OTTAWA - Three eminent Canadian researchers looking at business with a social side will be in Ottawa on Thursday, September 21. In a Breakfast on the Hill presentation hosted by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Professors Ian MacPherson and Rupert Downing of the University of Victoria, and Jean-Marc Fontan of the Université du Québec à Montréal, will present “D.I.Y. Support: Community support beyond government support”. The Breakfast will take place at 7:45 am at the Parliamentary Restaurant on the 6th floor of Centre Block.

More than 18 million Canadians are involved in the social economy, whether they belong to a co-op, credit union, work for a non-profit organization or hold a mutual insurance policy. The sector has assets of $227 billion in Canada alone.

In many cases, social economy organizations exist entirely to address social issues, either through volunteer or market-driven businesses that produce goods and services. Any surpluses are given back to the community. This sector includes co-operatives, credit unions, non-profit organizations, the voluntary sector, charities and for-profit enterprises. It allows Canadians to help sustain and enhance their commitments to their communities – without government grants.

To bring these various organizations together, the Canadian Social Economy Hub – a coalition of 300 academics and community leaders – was organized to learn about and share knowledge and ideas across Canada. This concept can be a useful way to understand, and to cope with, the social impacts of economic change.

This session will provide food for thought for politicians, public servants, media and community leaders. Ian MacPherson will introduce the social economy as an international concept and how we are beginning to adapt it to the diversity of the Canadian experience. Jean-Marc Fontan will review the Quebec experience, and Rupert Downing will discuss the relations and impact within communities.

The three will be available for media interviews throughout the day.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview contact:
Caitlin Kealey
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Communications Assistant
613-238-6112 ext 353
ckealey@fedcan.ca