Centre for Social Innovation - Where Change Happens!

There is a tremendous opportunity to support enterprising nonprofits through the economic stimulus fund. These social enterprises can play a key role in revitalizing both our communities and our economy.  From CSI's perspective, Toronto cannot be forgotten in and is home to social enterprises that want to be part of fixing our future. CSI is actively engaged in collaboratives that would begin shovel-ready projects.  We would love to see the fed's pay attention to the multiple bottom line solutions that we can create on the ground in Toronto.

Tonya


The following was sent to Minister Flaherty, Minister Baird and Prime Minister Harper. Michael Ignatieff and George Smitherman were cc'd.


Dear Ministers,

On behalf of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada, I am writing to offer you a perspective from Canada's emerging social enterprise sector on how the significant and welcome infrastructure stimulus funding provided by federal and provincial budgets can assist the many communities that are served by nonprofit social enterprises from across the country while generating significant economic outcomes for our local communities.

It is crucial that Canada's economic stimulus package builds and strengthens our communities so that they are well positioned for the future. Canada’s nonprofit sector, and in particular, our social enterprise sector, is a vital part of our economy: More than one in every ten Canadians works in the sector. There are 161,000 nonprofits in this country, and each of them has a double or even triple bottom line—contributing economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. The nonprofit sector represents 8% of our GDP and as critical part of the fabric of our nation, the nonprofit sector is uniquely positioned to help the country bounce back.

The response to the current economic and employment crisis requires innovation that can address short term problems while building a foundation for long term solutions. As our country transitions away from the manufacturing and resource sectors, environment, health care, education, social sector, arts and culture and social innovation become increasingly important drivers of our new economy. We believe that enterprising nonprofits (also called social enterprises) are a key tool to include within your recovery plan.

The municipal intake stage of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund provided an important opportunity for investment in infrastructure projects in municipalities throughout Ontario.  We would like to know whether there will be a subsequent intake for not-for-profit organizations to apply directly for infrastructure stimulus funding.  We would appreciate your comment.

Such an intake would create jobs and promote local employment while delivering significant social, economic, arts and environmental benefits - all for a relatively small slice of the economic stimulus investment. We are requesting that a process be developed to allow non-profits, including social enterprises, to apply directly for infrastructure stimulus funding. Although the FAQ section on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund website implies there will be a not-for-profit intake, we have not yet heard when this will occur.

Many of the nonprofits that we work with are poised to begin capital projects that can be completed by March 2011, in communities large and small. Not only will these projects create jobs among local business and trades, but they will strengthen the nonprofits themselves. These community-based projects address years of unmet need. All involve making public spaces more welcoming, safe, accessible, and energy efficient. Proponents of these projects have demonstrated track records in fund raising and revenue generation and are ready to raise the balance of funding and financing to complete the projects.

Among the greatest advantages of investing in nonprofit infrastructure are these facts:

* Many nonprofit projects are “shovel-ready”, significantly reducing any lag time in the impact of new investment.

* Nonprofit sector capital expenditures are heavily weighted to job creation, support local trades and have a strong positive impact on fulfilling health, social, environmental and employment objectives directly

* Nonprofit infrastructure projects are often small, requiring minimal investment while generating maximum economic and social impact

Canada’s nonprofits and charitable groups do their work at the grassroots level in communities, providing people with essential support services. They offer safety net services such as food banks, shelters and child welfare; remedial services such as violence prevention and mental health care; and community services such as recreational sports, community kitchens and assistance to Canada’s newcomers; as well as back-to-work services such as daycare, employment retraining and job search support.

There’s more. The nonprofit sector is home to innovators in sustainable energy, carbon footprint reduction and healthy local food. These leaders support community-based renewable energy projects, help farmers find local distribution for their produce, assist newcomers put their farming skills to good use, and promote biking in cities—to highlight just a few of the many enterprising nonprofit organizations in our communities.

Economic stimulus in the traditional sense of supporting failing industries and rebuilding crumbling sewers and bridges may be part of the equation, but it is only one part. The other critical element is the nonprofit sector. If the government of Canada is to turn this economic crisis into an opportunity, it must be innovative, forward looking, community-focused and provide multiple bottom-line returns. It must invest in cutting-edge organizations that keep on giving back to the people of Canada year after year. That means involving, in a fundamental way, the nonprofit sector. Now is our opportunity to make a difference over the long term—with investments in social services, environmental enterprises, young people, and arts and culture. Now is the time that Canada should be 'fixing the future' not 'fixing the past.' and moving towards creating tomorrow's economy.

This is truly an opportunity to create economic stimulus for today and for tomorrow. Please let me know if I may provide further information or assistance.

Thank you,



Tonya Surman and David LePage

Co-Chairs, SECC - www.secouncil.ca

cc

Honorable John Baird, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Community

Honorable James M. Flaherty, Minister of Finance

George Smitherman, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure

Louis Ranger, Deputy Head, Infrastructure Canada

Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party