A Portrait of the Social Economy in Northern Canada

Authors

  • Chris Southcott Lakehead University
  • Valoree Walker Social Economy Research Newtork of Northern Canada

Abstract

Northern communities are currently facing many social and economic challenges. The non-profit, voluntary, and co-operative organizations involved in the social economy sector assist communities with these challenges by empowering them through the development of social and human capital. This article is part of an initial evaluation of the potential of the social economy to assist northern communities to deal with these challenges and develop this capacity. It offers an initial description of the state of the social economy in Canada's North through an examination of the results of a census of these organizations and a subsequent survey. The analysis shows that social economy organizations are particularly important to northern communities: they are more numerous and have more of an economic importance than in other regions of Canada. At the same time, these organizations are facing several important challenges that affect their ability to assist these communities such as a lack of funding, finding volunteers, retaining paid staff, and training.

Author Biographies

Chris Southcott, Lakehead University

Chris Southcott is a professor of sociology at Lakehead University. He is also the chair and research director of the Social Economy Research Network for Northen Canada.

Valoree Walker, Social Economy Research Newtork of Northern Canada

Valoree Walker is coordinator of the Social Economy Research Network for Northern Canada and is based at the Northern Research Institute, Yukon College.

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Published

07/24/2009

Issue

Section

Special Collection Articles