FEATURE ARTICLE

Canada ranks #1 country to be a social enterprise

The Thomson Reuters Foundation 2019 poll on the best countries to be a social entrepreneur surveyed the world’s 45 largest economies in 6 key areas: government support, attracting skilled staff, public understanding, making a living, gaining momentum, and access to investment. This year Canada is ranked #1!
 
Check out David LePage’s response on the evolution of the social enterprise industry in Canada here.

INNOVATION

Unique Programs Help Rural Businesses Recover from 2017 Wildfires

Mission, BC: It's well known that July 2017 marked the start of one of the worst wildfire seasons in BC's history, destroying more than 1.2 million hectares of land and leading to the declaration of a province-wide state of emergency that lasted a record-breaking 10 weeks.

A lesser known fact is that the 2017 wildfires had a devastating economic impact on communities in rural British Columbia and particularly small businesses in the Cariboo Chilcotin region. An impact that many communities continue to struggle with today.

For the past two years, Community Futures organizations in Williams Lake, Ashcroft, Quesnel and Kamloops have been helping businesses, stakeholders and First Nations communities recover from the overwhelming impacts of the wildfires through the BC Wildfire Business Transition Project (BCWBTP), a unique program that has provided critical support to more than 4,000 small businesses.

The BCWBTP, which is winding down in December, has provided a three-pronged approach to business recovery and continuity:

1. Outreach and assessment: Business ambassadors and outreach workers were deployed to help business owners assess the impact of the fires on their operations and identify which assistance programs would best meet their needs.
2. Access to financing and technical support: Each Community Futures organization has access to an existing loan fund and flexible financing terms to help impacted businesses, and can draw on its existing team of business advisors to provide support.
3. Training and coaching: Targeted training programs, including workshops, online courses, business coaching and customized, self-directed training.

The results of the program have been outstanding. The following infographic illustrates BCWBTP results from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. A final report will be produced in early 2020.

In adddition, a series of four videos was produced to document the support that Community Futures provided to small businesses and Indigenous communities that were impacted by the 2017 wildfires: 

• PART 1: Project overview: https://youtu.be/737d2SkgO4A

• PART 2: Business Ambassadors and Outreach Workers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3I-ovOey_E

• PART 3: Stories from the businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgIz0PBuIC4

• PART 4: Focuses on Community Futures of the Central Interior First Nations and its work with Indigenous communities that were impacted by the 2017 wildfires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCoOucfHcTw

Assistance through the BC Wildfire Business Transition Project was made possible thanks to $3.2 million in funding from several partners – Western Economic Diversification ($1.84 million), Northern Development Initiative Trust ($200,000) and the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition Committee ($140,00), with an additional $980,000 from Canadian Red Cross (on behalf of the Province of British Columbia) towards workshops and training. 

Community Futures is the only organization throughout rural BC with a mandate for small business and community economic development.  Established over 30 years ago, Community Futures offers expert business planning advise, support services, business financing and local self-employment services from 34 offices throughout BC to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals.  Working in partnership with other business lenders, various levels of government and related stakeholders, Community Futures helps to grow and diversify local rural economies.

For more information on the Wildfire Business Transition Project, please visit: https://www.communityfutures.ca/wildfire-business-transition-project-news 

For additional information, contact: 

Cheryl Johnson
Executive Director 
Community Futures British Columbia
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
T: 604-289-4222 (ext. 225)

NEWS & COMMUNITY

Community Futures Network of Canada - November Update

The CFNC November 2019 Newsletter can be viewed here:

New GM Appointed to CFDC Middlesex 

Todd Copeland has recently been appointed as the new General Manager for the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) serving the municipalities of Middlesex County.   Todd has diverse background and experience supporting entrepreneurs, private and public sector businesses as an innovation, relationship and partnership champion.  He grew up in a small rural community in Southwestern Ontario and graduated from a combined science and business program at the University of Waterloo.  Throughout his professional career, he has worked across industry sectors, supporting commercialization of ideas, intellectual property protection, licensing and new company formation, collaborative research and development, pre- and post-market regulatory approval, identifying and securing sources of funding and financing in support of different products, service offerings, strategic projects and initiatives.   He has been active participant on numerous committees and Boards serving the local, regional and national interests and needs of businesses and communities.   

Todd and his wife Nikki have been proud residents of the community of Ilderton for the last 16 yrs where they have enjoyed raising their two boys, Ethan and Logan.   He is an appointed member of the Community Services Advisory Committee for The Municipality of Middlesex Centre and is serving in his third year as President of the Ilderton Minor Hockey Association.   He has recently resigned after spending the last 2 ½ yrs serving as a Director, member of the Investment and Loans Committee and Secretary of the CFDC of Middlesex County – The Business Help Centre.       

EconoUs 2019 in Business London Magazine

 

 

ACROSS ONTARIO 

Fall Economic Statement Great for Ontario's Co-operative Sector

A Special Announcement from OCA November 7, 2019

The co-operative sector in Ontario is very pleased with the commitment from the provincial government to modernize the co-operative legislation. The announcement was made yesterday in the Fall Economic Statement.

Co-operative businesses in Ontario have been advocating for improved legislation for fifteen years to better meet the needs of communities across the province. The conservative government has heard from our 1,500 co-operatives and has responded with improvements that will reduce red tape and provide stable jobs to Ontarians.

“This is an exciting day for our member co-operatives that do amazing work in their communities with a focus on a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit,” said Erin Morgan, Executive Director of the Ontario Co-operative Association.

Specifically, the improvements to the legislation will eliminate the requirement to do 50% of business with members to allow co-operatives to compete and innovate on a level playing field with all businesses in Ontario. The updates to audit rules will reduce administrative burdens on community owned co-operatives and allow their income to fund increased services.

Ontario’s co-operatives look forward to a continued positive relationship with government, an improved legislative environment and a successful future of economic growth and improved community access to goods and services delivered through democratic, values-based businesses.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Erin Morgan, Executive Director
Ontario Co-operative Association
30 Douglas St., Guelph, ON, N1H 2S9
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
519-763-8271 x.30
www.ontario.coop    
 
ABOUT OCA
The Ontario Co-operative Association (OCA) exists to strengthen and unite the co-operative movement in Ontario. We support, develop, education and advocate for Ontario's 1,500+ co-operatives, which are a different kind of business model, driven by people, planet and profit. 

Ontario Investing in Indigenous Economic Development Across the Province

Funding will support businesses, job creation and skills training

Ontario's government is supporting Indigenous communities by investing in Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations.

Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, announced the first recipients of this year's Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF), which will provide up to $8.2 million in funding in 2019-20. The first recipients include 26 projects from across Ontario and six Aboriginal Financial Institutions. The IEDF is a part of the government's commitment to support Indigenous economic development by supporting community-led projects. 

 

Aboriginal Financial Institutions
The following organizations will each receive $700,000 in 2019-20, for a total of $4.2 million:

• Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario
• Métis Voyageur Development Fund
• Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
• Tecumseh Community Development Corporation
• Two Rivers Community Development Centre
• Waubetek Business Development Corporation

LESSONS LEARNED & BEST PRACTICES

Selling or Buying a Business?

 

Buying or selling a business can be the largest deal in an entrepreneur’s career. But how can you prepare for a business transfer if you’ve never done it before?

At BDC, we’ve accompanied thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs to buy or sell a company. We’ve created two free toolkits with resources designed to help business owners transfer a business with confidence.

Buying a business	Selling a business
Download your toolkit	Download your toolkit

How to find the right business partner to buy or sell a businessYou will also learn:

• What valuation experts look for when determining the value of a business
• How to structure an optimal financing to ensure the sustainability of operations following the deal

It’s worth reading. For advice and solutions, count on us!

The BDC Team

HR & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

A message from Brett Marchand Head of Canada Retirement

What’s the best money advice you’ve ever given or received? During Financial Literacy Month in November, Canadians are being reminded about four important habits that will help them get on track to financial wellness.

And in my latest blog post, you can read my reasons for adding a fifth week to November, and a fifth piece of advice to Financial Literacy Month.

Looking for Online Leadership & Coaching Training?

The eLeadership Academy^TM features a flexible online learning environment with expert faculty and like-minded leaders. Recommended by 100% of past participants, these programs have proven effective for leadership development at all levels—from emerging leaders to executives—while leveraging the benefits of web-based, cohort-based training. Designed to foster deep learning, discussion and practical application of leadership concepts, the programs help leaders create a plan for their desired impact while developing a deeper understanding of the brain for improved well-being and performance.

 

Course	2020 Dates
eLEAD	February 3 – March 29
eLEAD	April 20 - June 14
eLEAD	October 5 – November 29
eCOACH	April 27 - June 21
eCOACH	October 12 – December 6

 

An informational pdf can be found here: ELeadership Academy Information 

The Update - Your Newsletter

Do you have feedback or story ideas for the next Update?  Contact Community Futures Ontario at 1-888-633-2326 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ce bulletin est également disponible en français.  Veuillez communiquer avec nous à pour obtenir votre exemplaire du bulletin, Le Point.

Community Futures Ontario, 300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas ON N5P 4L1

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