Blog Series

In this blog series, Task Force members explore ideas and research that will help to catalyze a robust social finance marketplace in Canada.

Mar. 15, 2011
Momentum Gains for the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance (by Ilse Treurnicht)

"As Task Force Chair, it has been extremely encouraging to see the growing momentum behind the recommendations; momentum that we hope will lead to full implementation across sectors over the coming years. In the report’s introduction I wrote that our goal was to raise awareness of social finance and stimulate a national discussion about a new partnership model between profit and public good. Given the activity already underway, I am confident that we will exceed our expectations."

Dec. 23, 2010
Former Prime Minister Paul Martin Reflects on Social Enterprise (by Geraldine Cahill)

"In this thoughtful and engaging interview with Milton Friesen, Director of Operations at Cardus (an ideas lab for social innovation), the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, Former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Canada reflects on the relationship between businesses, not-for-profits and charities in Canada, including the role that legal and financial structures play in social enterprise. [...]"

Nov. 30, 2010
This Is Canada's Opportunity  (by Ilse Treurnicht)

"Today marks the launch of a seminal report entitled, Mobilizing Private Capital for Public Good from the Social Finance Task Force.  The report calls on institutional investors, corporations, philanthropists, foundations and governments to work together to build a robust impact investing marketplace in Canada. [...]"

Nov. 10, 2010
Financing for Social Innovation, Experimentation and (Yes, Sometimes Even) Failure (by Tim Jackson)

"For the past ten years, I’ve been involved in helping early stage entrepreneurs get financing to build their businesses. Not every company gets financed, but it’s generally accepted that entrepreneurs often need third-party financing in order to be successful. During this time, I’ve also been very involved with numerous non-profit organizations in my community. [...]"

Nov. 4, 2010
Lessons from Vancity on Embracing Social Finance (by Tamara Vrooman)

"Developing a vibrant social finance marketplace with sufficient capital resources is a critical challenge here in Canada, and, for that matter, the rest of the world. For me, there is one obvious source of capital – one that doesn’t require government funding or tax credits and that can play a critical role in developing the marketplace. That source is the investment assets of foundations. [...]"

Oct. 27, 2010
Foundations Need to Step Up (by Bill Young)

"Developing a vibrant social finance marketplace with sufficient capital resources is a critical challenge here in Canada, and, for that matter, the rest of the world. For me, there is one obvious source of capital – one that doesn’t require government funding or tax credits and that can play a critical role in developing the marketplace. That source is the investment assets of foundations. [...]"

Oct. 20, 2010
Social Finance: A National Imperative and Nascent Opportunity (by Ilse Treurnicht)

"Canada, like many other jurisdictions, is at an innovation crossroads. Governments are faced with tough choices as the global economy finds a new normal, against the backdrop of increasingly complex societal challenges crippling communities, education and health care systems, and the environment. [...]"

Contact: For more information about the Task Force on Social Finance, please email (taskforce@socialfinance.ca).

SocialFinance.ca is pleased to serve as the online repository for information and discussions about the Task Force.