November 24th - 28th, 2006 - News

CCA CALLS FOR SOCIAL ECONOMY INITIATIVE FOR ALL OF CANADA
The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) joined with the Chantier d’economie sociale and the Canadian CED Network to represent the social economy before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA). CCA Executive Director Carol Hunter reiterated CCA’s position that while it is pleased that Quebec has received substantial Federal Government investments under the partial roll-out of the social economy initiative, the association is concerned that this national program has not been rolled out across the rest of the country.

CO-OPERATIVES AND INNOVATION: INFLUENCING THE SOCIAL ECONOMY
From May 28 – June 1, 2007, three organizations will come together for the first time in a joint conference. The International Co- operative Alliance Committee on Co-operative Research, the Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation, and the Association for Cooperative Educators will together host one unified conference in Saskatoon, SK. This event will combine the approaches and audiences of the respective organizations and will be held in conjunction with the 2007 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Why I Shop on Buy Nothing Day: This kind of activism is the problem, not the solution.
As a society, we sure spend a lot of money on crap. Yep, we get into debt buying stuff that becomes quickly obsolete but first drains the planet's resources and pollutes it. My own collection of lip glosses is a fine example. So this Friday, on Buy Nothing Day, many people across North America (and worldwide on Nov. 25) will refrain from making any purchases in an effort to increase awareness of overspending and remind people that they are more than simply consumers.

Toronto's most vulnerable left out in the cold if federal commitment to homeless initiatives ends
Homeless teenagers seeking to reconnect with their families; young Aboriginal mothers and their children needing transitional housing; men and women honing employment skills in the hopes of becoming housed and independent; people who are in desperate need of permanent housing. These are just some of the Torontonians whose lives are about to take an even sharper turn for the worse. The federal government's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), a cornerstone of the City's strategy to end homelessness for the past six years, is scheduled to end March 31, 2007 and nothing appears to be in place to stop this.
Students’ skills showcased
Students in grades 6 and 7 at three Nanaimo schools have used their entrepreneurial skills to help make the holiday season bright. The results of their efforts will be on display and for sale at a Young Entrepreneurs Showcase this week. The students have been participating in PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs – a six-week program that helps young people gain real-life experience starting their own businesses.

Budding African entrepreneurs provide proud face of microfinance revolution
In a humble cement building with an unfinished second storey lives an idea just big enough that it might change the world. The proud smiles on the faces of those whose lives it has already touched put a human face to the potential of the microfinance revolution. The concept has already inspired a Nobel Peace Prize along with new hope for millions, which in poverty-stricken Africa is as fresh as the new coat of paint on these walls.

Waste-not want-not group wins $1m grant

A non-profit group that feeds the hungry by diverting unwanted food away from garbage dumps has won this year's $1-million grant from VanCity credit union. Last year, the Quest Outreach Society took in almost $7 million worth of donated food at its warehouse. Everything from mangoes to sirloin steak is stored in that East Vancouver warehouse before being distributed to social service agencies that feed more than 50,000 people a month.

see also: Food-distribution group feasts on $1-million award
B.C. group that feeds people with "rescued" food wins million-dollar award

Perspective: A crisis of conscience
Manitoba consumers face an ethical dilemma in their search for healthy, environmentally friendly food: it's hard to find local, organic produce
BEFORE I began this experiment, I was one of the more annoying organic shoppers -- you know, the kind who feel a bit too smug about buying the unwaxed apples with the yellow stickers. But I've found myself this month right back in organic territory -- with a few extra challenges, a little more humility, and plenty of debate over the ethics of my organic salads.

Economic crisis forced Cuba to reduce ecological footprint
I REALLY have never seen anything like the "camels" of Cuba — huge fifth-wheel trailers drawn by tractor trucks, and fitted up as buses capable of carrying as many as 300 people. They’re wonderfully flexible — the tractors that tow them could as easily tow any other trailer for any other purpose — and in terms of passenger-miles per gallon, they are vastly more efficient than a standard bus.