1. Community economic development and the social economy: the Quebec context Toronto OISE September 2007

2. The Quebec model of the social economy : brief history Early 1980s with economic crisis, high unemployment, crisis of the welfare state bring changes to the Quebec model Involvement of the labour movement in economic development: creation of the Quebec Solidarity Fund, involvement of unions in regional development (Conseils de développement régional)

3. The Quebec model : brief history Involvement of community organisations in local economic development: creation of the first community economic development corporations (1984) in urban context Rural initiatives to counter rural decline (Community Futures, Solidarité rurale..) Community-based service organisations in a wide range of sectors (employment, daycare, health and social services) Emergence of social cooperatives (housing, youth, etc) Caisse déconomie de la CSN: a financial cooperative dedicated to community initiatives

4. 1995-1996: Major breakthroughs 1995: Womens March Against Poverty includes demands for support for the social economy 1996: Summit on Economy and Employment: Social movements and community networks full players in the process Working group on the social economy presents ambitious action plan with support from all sectors Recognition of the importance of citizen involvement in economic development

5. 1997-2007: Significant steps forward New Quebec policies in support of CED and the social economy: Local development policy (1997) creates local development centres (including mandates for collective entrepreneurship and involvement of civil society) Recognition and financial support for community economic development corporations in urban areas (federal,provincial,municipal) Sectoral policies for social entrepreneurship: childcare, homecare, social housing, recycling, etc.

6. 1997-2007: Significant steps forward New financial tools for collective enterprises (loan guarantees, RISQ, micro-credit,Fondaction, Investissement Québec, Fiducie du Chantier de léconomie sociale) New enterprise models: solidarity cooperatives, non-profit businesses New institutions and networks emerge bringing together collective enterprises, community economic and local development networks and social movements (Chantier de léconomie sociale, CSMO-ESAC)

7. 1997-2007: Significant steps forward New alliances with researchers and universities:ARUC-ES, Chaire de léconomie sociale Emerging international networks: Lima-Québec- Dakar, Groupe déconomie solidaire du Québec, partnerships with Latin America, Europe, Africa Partnerships with fair trade organisations and NGOs in international cooperation

8. 1995-2007: Significant steps forward 2003: new government continues support for social economy but changes local development policy in favour of control by municipal governments Civil society remains involved in most regions and communities: social economy remains on the agenda Private sector support for CED and the social economy (Cirque du Soleil, Chambers of commerce, private foundations, Fondation de lentrepreneurship etc.)

9. 1997-2007: Significant steps forward Social economy (cooperative and non-profit) integral part of broader political debates (health, economic and regional development, employment etc) Regional social economy pôles in 16 (of 17) Quebec regions to promote and develop collective entrepreneurship Increasing involvement of labour, environmental movement in the social economy High level of interest among youth networks for CED and the social economy

10. A quick snapshot In Quebec, over 6000 collective enterprises representing 4% of GNP (excluding financial and large agricultural cooperatives) Networks of CED or local development organisations in every Quebec community (CLD, Community Futures, CDECs, Regional development cooperatives, Community Development corporations) Recognition of the social economy as an integral part of socio-economic infrastructure

11. Summit on the Social and Solidarity Economy November 2006 700 delegates from every region and every sector Presence of Premier Jean Charest Observers from 23 countries Wide consensus concerning the evaluation of the past decade and perspectives for the next decade Priorities: common strategies for opening up new markets, improving management capacities, increasing access to capital, improving working conditions, making room for the next generation of leaders, reinforcing networks at a regional, national and international level

12. Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust 52.8 M$ investment fund for social economy enterprises Investors: CED: 23.5M$ (non-repayable) Quebec Solidarity Fund (FTQ) : 12M$ Fondaction (CSN): 8M$ Investissement Québec: 10M$

13. Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust Investment products for social economy enterprises The Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust offers loans with a 15-year capital repayment moratory. The aim of this patient capital is to support enterprises operations and contribute to their real estate investments.

14. Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust Amounts available between $50,000 and $1.5 million. Loans are granted on the basis of financing packages in which the loan represents no more than 35% of project costs.

15. Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust The Trust invests exclusively in social economy enterprises, particularly non-profit organizations and cooperatives with fewer than 200 employees. Ineligible businesses Québec government agencies or organisation that administer Québec government programs. These include childcare centres, home support services, perinatal centres, educational services and housing.

16. Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust The Réseau dinvestissement social du Québec (RISQ-social investment network of Québec) is the organisation that has been mandated by the Chantier de léconomie sociale Trust to receive and analyze loan applications before they are presented to the Trusts investment committee.