Community Economic Development Opportunities in Alberta

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) and Momentum, a Calgary, Alberta based community economic development (CED) organization, have issued this brief in Alberta. The brief is directed to the Alberta government. The Government of Alberta is committed to investing in job creation, economic diversification, renewable energy, and being the best place to start and grow a small business. The innovative tools of community economic development (CED) can amplify these economic initiatives by enabling the creation of more social and co-operative enterprises, providing jobs for disadvantaged Albertans, and advancing community-owned renewable energy. The following three strategies can most benefit Albertans given the current economic challenges and opportunities in Alberta: Investing in a Community and Coop Business Secretariat, supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, and hosted at a community based agency. A focus on technical support and connecting businesses to capital and resources. Providing technical, regulatory, and financial support to community-owned start-ups and projects focused on renewable energy development. Creating a market exemption for everyday Albertans (unaccredited investors) to invest in local businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives, and ensuring they benefit from the Alberta Investor Tax Credit.Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet); Momentum; Alberta Community and Co-operative Association; Athabasca University; Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation; Edmonton Community Foundation; Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; REAP - Respect for the Earth and All People; Social Enterprise Fund (Edmonton); and Thrive - Calgary's Community Economic Development Network

International stream of the 2008 National CED Conference

Meeting: CCEDNet's 2008 National CED Conference, May 20th to the 24th in Saskatoon, SaskatchewanSolidarity partnerships are established out of an articulation of a feeling of solidarity between poor and marginalized people the world over interested in redressing the global balance. The benefits available for organizations and networks which partner internationally are well demonstrated. People-centred economies were a focus of numerous plenary sessions of the Canadian Community Economic Development conference. A pro-civil society approach to aid delivery recalls another more general recommendation for advocacy that civil society organizations should not be afraid of government, and should openly challenge and engage them in dialogue. The workshop report provides details of sessions