Register now to join Buy Social Canada on September 19, 2023 as we share stories, updates, and progress of social enterprise across the country at Marketplace Impact: Social Enterprise Research and Stories. This is part two of a two-part series exploring what's happening on the supply and demand sides of the Canadian social value marketplace.

At this free, engaging event we will be sharing new research from a survey of over 130 Certified Social Enterprises from across Canada, including data and stories about their social and economic impacts. In addition to research learnings, we'll hear from social enterprise leaders about what supports exist and what more is needed for social enterprise capacity building, and how social enterprises play a role in building and preserving culture.

Lynn White, ACCESS

Tim Coldwell, Chandos Construction

Gurbeen Bhasin, Aangen

Carolann Harding, SmartICE

Andy Horsnell, Social Enterprise Council of Canada

Barb Ellis, Circle of Eagles Trading Post

Amanda McGee, Circle of Eagles Trading Post

Anca Roman, EthniCity Catering and Cafe

Get your tickets to join us on:

September 19, 2023

10am - 12pm PT / 1pm - 3pm ET

Online, free

Buy Social Canada will celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2024. A lot has changed in that time, from raising awareness about social procurement to growing implementation and measurement across Canada. Along with the evolution of the social procurement environment, we recognize the need to position ourselves to continue to lead, advocate, and support the next stages of social procurement development and impact. 

The Board of Buy Social Canada is pleased to announce some major leadership changes effective September 1, 2023. Elizabeth Chick-Blount will become our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Tori Williamson will become our Chief Operating Officer (COO). Both have demonstrated their passion, shared values, and professional leadership, and it’s their time to lead Buy Social Canada to the next level of success. 

As another part of the transition, David LePage, one of our founders and our Managing Partner for the past 9 years, will move away from operations and management into the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.

Register now to save your spot in a Fall 2023 cohort of the Social Procurement Professional Certificate course to take a deep dive on social procurement design, implementation and culture change.

September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2023 from 10am – 12pm PT / 1 – 3pm ET

(Application deadline: August 24)

November 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2023 from 10am – 12pm PT / 1 – 3pm ET

(Application deadline: October 18; Early bird deadline: September 20)

Register now to save your spot.

Canada’s Federal Government is introducing measures to tackle modern slavery and other forms of forced labour in global supply chains.

Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, referred to as Canada’s “Modern Slavery Act” (the Act), is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2024.

We see this act as an extension of good social procurement policy and practice.

Read our blog post for more information.

The Peel Community Benefits Network (PCBN) Second Annual Forum brought together a dynamic and diverse group of stakeholders, deeply committed to fostering supportive, sustainable, and inclusive employment within the skilled trades sector in the Peel Region.

The report from this forum shares several calls to action meant to create diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces in construction, including actions to support women, equity-deserving persons, and youth in the trades.

Join BCSPI at upcoming webinars for social procurement insights and learnings:

Elietha Bocskei, Lead Manager of Institutional Partnership and Strategies for Feed BC, joins BCSPI to share information on the BC Government's Feed BC program, free procurement resources, local food directory and more. She will share how public purchasers can have an impact by buying local and culturally appropriate foods.

Register now.

Scott Hainsworth, Manager of Purchasing for City of Courtenay, joins BCSPI to share how the City developed a new Indigenous Procurement policy in collaboration with K'ómoks First Nation in order to advance economic reconciliation and support Indigenous businesses and people in their community.

In addition to the case study from Courtenay, this webinar will introduce a new BCSPI Member Resource which outlines best practices and top tips for starting to design and implement Indigenous Procurement in public organizations.

Register now.

Are you passionate about workplace inclusion? Do you know someone who is making a significant impact?

The Untapped Workplace Inclusion Awards will celebrate individuals and businesses who are making a difference in workplace disability inclusion on:

Presented by Buy Social Canada Certified Social Enterprise Open Door Group, in collaboration with the Presidents Group and CANWiN, the 10th Annual Untapped Awards will feature a new format: a half-day conference filled with engaging workshops, thought-provoking panel discussions, and a keynote address, followed by the awards celebration.

Nominations are now open in five categories: Individuals, Small Business (1 to 99 employees), Medium & Large Business (100 or more employees), Non-Profit & Public Sector, and Social Enterprise. Whether you know a person who has overcome obstacles and thrived in their career, or an organization that has become a leader in inclusive hiring practices, now is the time to shine a light on their accomplishments.

Nominations are open until September 11th, don't miss this chance to put forth yourself or someone else for this prestigious accolade. All nominees will receive one free VIP ticket and media coverage leading up to the event.

Submit a nomination.

Register for the event.

GreenShield, an integrated health and benefits organization and Buy Social Canada Certified Social Enterprise, recently launched a first-of-its-kind program to provide essential medications to low income Canadians without public or private drug coverage.

"As a not-for-profit social enterprise, finding a better way to improve access to health care is how we got started," said President & CEO, Zahid Salman. "Many Canadians are without access to essential medicines due to a lack of affordability, with those from marginalized and/or racialized groups struggling the most ... The GreenShield Cares Essential Medicines program addresses this gap."

This program is just part of the many ways GreenShield is promoting better healthcare. In their recently released 2022 Social Impact Report, they spotlight the latest developments of GreenShield’s business and evolving social impact strategy.

Read the full Social Impact Report to learn more about how GreenShield is improving health outcomes across Canada.

"Social contractors could present solutions to housing crisis, labour shortage and climate change all at once," says the CBC.

Read the CBC Article to learn more about how Building Up, a Certified Social Enterprise based in Toronto, is creating inclusive employment, mitigating waste, and supporting affordable housing in their community.

Kindred Rebuild, a social enterprise of inclusion Powell River, is creating inclusive employment for persons with disabilities while diverting building materials and large furniture from the landfill.

"Leni Goggins, a representative from Kindred Rebuild, says the store is not just about selling building materials; it’s a mission-driven social enterprise with a focus on supporting the local social economy in the qathet region."

Read the article to learn more.

The WRENCH is a community bike shop in Winnipeg that offers a wide range of products and services to support sustainable transportation.

They sell refurbished bikes, bike parts, and accessories, and offer bike servicing, providing affordable options for individuals seeking eco-friendly transportation.

Le Chic Resto Pop, a charity and community-based organization, runs two social enterprises in Montreal: Les Chics Plats and Le Chic Resto.

Les Chics Plats is a catering company providing affordable and healthy meals, and Le Chic Resto is a restaurant which has been running since 1984.

These enterprises help fund Le Chic Resto Pop's culinary school for people with barriers, and increases food security in their community.

Compost Winnipeg, a social enterprise of the Green Action Centre in Winnipeg, provides organic waste collection services to residents and businesses, diverting approximately 100 tonnes of organic waste from the landfill every month and sending it to be composted.