Want to learn more about diversity in supply chains and the role of self-attestation?

Increased inclusion of diverse-owned and social enterprise suppliers is critical for social procurement success. To support this endeavour, AnchorTO contracted Buy Social Canada to explore barriers and potential solutions to diversity in the supply chain, and the path from risk to trust. The research explores how a policy that was an intended solution became a barrier to economic inclusion, and proposes alternatives including self-attestation to expand supply chain opportunities. 

Read the report to learn more.

Save the date 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 100 Certified Social Enterprises from across Canada, including data and stories about their social and economic impacts. In addition to research learnings, the event will feature panel discussions with speakers and opportunities for conversation and networking with peers on our virtual platform Airmeet.

Social enterprise is a business model whose core purpose is to create a more equitable, inclusive, and just society. It is a key pillar in the establishment of a social value marketplace: a marketplace that contributes to building community wealth, rather than extracting human and natural value to accumulate private economic profits.

Save the date to join us on:

September 19, 2023

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

Online, free

Registration details coming soon.

“The City has a real opportunity to advance a lot of the positive work on social change without compromising the quality of what we procure or the integrity of the process. And what we’ve seen today is actually some real wins.” - Councillor Sonya Sharp

Read this article to learn more about a recent report to Council about the progress and success of City of Calgary's social procurement implementation over the past five years.

Buy Social Canada has been working with the City of Peterborough on social procurement design and implementation, and we're pleased to see the launch of a new social procurement landing page on their website!

The landing page outlines their Social Procurement Program, answers Frequently Asked Questions, and provides information to vendors.

View the landing page.

We're pleased to welcome Aramark as a new Buy Social Canada Social Purchasing Partner - Engage Member.

Aramark are making a commitment to learn more about and engage in social procurement implementation. We look forward to supporting Aramark on the next steps.

Learn more about the Engage Member package to get support on your social procurement journey.

Buy Social Canada is hiring an Operations Lead to join our small and dynamic team. Working with our Executive Director, the team, and our national network of partners and clients, your role will be to provide daily administrative and organizational support across a range of projects and programs.

You will need to be highly organized and comfortable managing a variety of ongoing duties and relationships from the simple to the complex. We are looking for someone with a passion for operations who is organized, detail oriented and collaborative, to manage our growing team’s operational requirements and support project delivery.

We welcome people to apply from across Canada who can work remote.

Read the job posting for more details.

At the first Quarterly Learning Event for Buy Social Canada Social Purchasing Partners, we hosted Member of Parliament (MP) Ryan Turnbull, who shared updates on what's happening at the federal level, including progress on the Federal Government's Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, his experience in the social enterprise sector, and what he hopes purchasers in government and private sectors can do to advance the movement to buy and sell with impact.

"Thanks to all the partners across Canada that are making it [culture change] happen and providing examples, useful tools and resources. The federal government is paying attention." - MP Turnbull

Thanks to MP Turnbull for sharing his time, and to all the Social Purchasing Partners who joined us!

Looking for support on your social procurement journey, and access to exclusive learning and networking content? Become a Buy Social Canada Social Purchasing Partner for customized consulting, training and more.

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

Sonia Sahota (Managing Partner, Civic Legal LLP) joins BCSPI to share her expertise regarding trade agreements, local considerations, and more about what is and isn't possible when practicing social procurement in the public sector.

Register now.

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.

As a service delivery partner for BCSPI, Buy Social Canada supports the Purchasing Power series, which features community leaders who are putting the principles of a social value marketplace into action, and explores how local governments and institutions can use their purchasing power to address community priorities.

In the second season of the series in 2022-2023, we asked how procurement could:

The series wrap-up reviews the overarching themes shared in the 2022-2023 Purchasing Power events, along with specific learnings and actionable steps.

Read the wrap-up to learn more.

We have begun to collaborate with Seneca College on a four-year study funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The research team will assess how social enterprises assist Black and other racialized Canadians in overcoming socioeconomic barriers.

Learn more.

CBC Radio's Adam Walsh visited two social enterprises run by Choices for Youth in St. John's, Newfoundland, to learn more about what social enterprises are, how these enterprises make a difference in their community, and how others can get involved.

Watch the Youtube video, or listen to the full CBC Radio show to hear from staff at Crust Craft Bakery and Neighbourhood.

With funding provided through the Government of BC, SPARC BC has launched the Local Community Accessibility Grant Program. This program is designed to support persons with disabilities by funding the removal of barriers identified by local governments Accessibility Committees, feedback mechanisms or Accessibility Plans. This support is timely, as the Accessible British Columbia Act requires public institutions in BC to include procurement in their accessibility plans.

All municipalities and regional districts in British Columbia can apply. Each municipality or regional district is eligible to submit one application, regardless of collaboration with other districts.

Apply for funding.

PASS Marketplace is an enterprise of PALS Adult Services Society (PASS) in Vancouver, BC. The Marketplace sells art and gifts, custom labelling and packaging, and tailored offerings for weddings and corporate events. Through employment, PASS Marketplace assists young adults with autism to overcome workplace barriers.

Aecon-Golden Mile Joint Venture (A-GM) is a community-owned construction company serving the Greater Toronto Area. A-GM prioritizes training and hiring residents of Toronto’s Greater Golden Mile neighbourhood, which includes 5 designated Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. Through the Centre for Inclusive Economic Opportunity - Golden Mile, A-GM’s majority shareholder, 51% of profits are reinvested back into the community.

Four Directions Financial is an ATB agency formed in partnership with Boyle Street Community Services that ensures Edmontonians who are homeless or living in poverty can open a bank account with a mainstream financial institution. They offer the same services offered in any other ATB location, and are the first financial service provider of its kind in Alberta.