CSEHub is currently requesting proposals for goods and services that can be provided by Social Economy organizations for the First International CIRIEC Research Conference on the Social Economy, which will take place October 22-25th, 2007 in Victoria, BC, Canada.

It’s not too late to submit an abstract for the First World CIRIEC Research Conference on the Social Economy! Hosted by the Canadian Social Economy Hub, the conference will take place from October 22-25, 2007 in Victoria, BC, Canada.

It is with great pleasure that the Social Economy Centre of the University of Toronto announces the launch of their first bi-yearly E-Zine, focusing on the work of the Southern Ontario Social Economy Node. In it, you will find updates on their projects, interesting resources, and much, much more. The E-Zine can be downloaded from the Social Economy Centre website.

Co-op sales continue at record level
For the second year in a row, Delmas Coop has had record sales, according to its latest financial statement. The member-owned cooperative, with branches in Masset and Skidegate, sold $11,816,038 worth of merchandise in the fiscal year ending last September 30, up $215,032 from the year before. Costs were up as well, to $8,804,016, from $8,658,693. Higher standby costs, staff costs and interest expense contributed to the higher costs.

Halton Region Issues Request for Proposals for Assisted Housing
Halton Region has issued a Request for Proposals for 120 units of assisted rental housing. Under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Ontario New Affordable Housing Program Agreement, Halton Region has been allocated $8.4 million to provide capital assistance of up to $70,000 per unit for the development of these units. Halton Region will also provide grant assistance under the program.

$52.8 million to develop the social economy - Launch of the Chantier de l'économie sociale Trust
The Chantier de l'économie sociale Trust will administer a $52.8 million patient capital fund for Québec's social economy enterprises. The Chantier de l'économie sociale and investors made the announcement in Québec City today.

Rich-poor gap becomes a chasm
Churning out cogent new studies on poverty wouldn't work, the research team decided. Canadians already knew how bad the problem was. Making the case for fair wages, affordable housing, decent welfare rates and universal child care wouldn't turn the tide, they agreed. Dozens of advocacy groups were doing that with negligible success. What was needed was a catalyst to turn awareness into action. It was the summer of 2006.

$4,000 will help Harewood crisis centre get off ground
The proposed Harewood Crisis Walk-In Centre has received a grant from the City of Nanaimo for renovations, all it needs now is a place to renovate. “We had a place but it fell through,” said Ian Gartshore, Shore Counselling’s executive director.

Strongeagle a role model
Education is number one in Herb Strongeagle’s world. A keen mind and a curious nature edge out sports — especially hockey — as the main passion of the hard-working Cowichan Bay resident who earned the Saskatchewan First Nations lifetime achievement award Nov. 9. “This award gives me a really good feeling. It means a lot in recognizing hard work,” the Pasqua First Nation’s elder says of his honour.

Welcome to the bulletin of the Canadian Social Economy Hub (CSEHub) for the National Research Program on the Social Economy (funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council). Over the next five years, the CSEHub will be sending out bulletins on a regular basis to provide updates on the work of the CSEHub and its Nodes.