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UpdateJun 6th, 2023
June 2023 Newsletter
In our June newsletter we share new research and resources, case studies and stories from the movement to advance social procurement and social enterprise across Canada. Also included are event […]
UpdateJun 5th, 2023
Job Posting: Operations Manager
Title: Operations Manager 4 days/week (0.8 Full time employee FTE) $60,000 – $70,000 annual salary (equivalent to $75,000 – $85,000 FTE) Deadline to apply: June 22, 2023 Every purchase has […]
Event RecapJun 5th, 2023
Marketplace Impact May 2023 Event Recap
Marketplace Impact: A National Conversation on Social Procurement successfully shared insights on social procurement while fostering dialogue between engaged community members and purchasers from across Canada. Participants got to engage […]
UpdateJun 5th, 2023
Global News BC highlights social enterprises
Global News BC Community Reporter Michael Newman highlighted social enterprises on air in the Making a Difference series, sponsored in part by Buy Social Canada. The first video in the series explores the […]
UpdateMay 29th, 2023
A story from Building Up: How to purchase community value by doing business with a social enterprise
Building Up is a Toronto-based Certified Social Enterprise contracting company that supports persons facing barriers and prepares them for careers in the building trades. Building Up hires people who live […]
Event RecapMay 26th, 2023
BCSPI Purchasing Power: How can procurement help reduce hazardous chemicals?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateMay 11th, 2023
Event agenda for Marketplace Impact: A National Conversation on Social Procurement
Join Buy Social Canada online on May 25 at Marketplace Impact: A National Conversation on Social Procurement as we share stories, updates, and progress of social procurement across the country. […]
UpdateMay 10th, 2023
Celebrate the 2023 Social Procurement Champion Award recipients on May 25
This year the Buy Social Canada Social Procurement Champion Awards recognize educators and agitators from the social value marketplace who are working hard towards a shared goal to leverage purchasing […]
UpdateMay 3rd, 2023
May 2023 Newsletter
Our May newsletter is jam packed with event updates, including our upcoming virtual event on May 25: Marketplace Impact: A National Conversation on Social Procurement, and an in person Toronto […]
UpdateApr 4th, 2023
April 2023 Newsletter
Our April newsletter is jam packed with event updates, including our upcoming virtual event on May 25: Marketplace Impact: A National Conversation on Social Procurement, and an in person Toronto […]
UpdateApr 3rd, 2023
Destination Vancouver champions social procurement in tourism, hospitality and events
The tourism industry is taking a leadership role in advancing social procurement to create heathy, vibrant communities. One organization within the sector championing this movement is Destination Vancouver, a Buy […]
Event RecapMar 24th, 2023
BSCPI Purchasing Power: How can procurement support housing affordability?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateMar 7th, 2023
March 2023 Newsletter
Read our March newsletter to learn how social enterprises define success, get details on upcoming events to grow the marketplace revolution, and celebrate progress across Canada. Read the newsletter here, […]
UpdateMar 6th, 2023
New St. Paul’s hospital construction continues to exceed community benefit agreement goals
The New St. Paul’s Hospital is the first project to trigger the City of Vancouver’s Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) policy, designed to create additional community benefits in the neighbourhoods surrounding […]
UpdateMar 1st, 2023
Here’s how social enterprises define success
For social enterprises, success is all about creating community impact. We wanted to learn more about what that means to them, so we asked our Certified Social Enterprises, “what does […]
UpdateFeb 17th, 2023
Job Posting: Social Procurement Consultant
Note: This position has been filled, but we accept resumes for any future hiring opportunities on an ongoing basis. If you’re looking for a meaningful role with a dynamic team, […]
UpdateFeb 13th, 2023
BCSPI Purchasing Power: How can procurement help address poverty?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateFeb 7th, 2023
February 2023 Newsletter
Read our February newsletter to get details on upcoming social procurement and social enterprise events, and celebrate progress across Canada. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up to date.
Event RecapFeb 3rd, 2023
The Games are coming, and the winner is… community!
Games and sporting events are ubiquitous in daily life, and lots of major games are happening across Canada in the next few years. Some of the large events include St. […]
UpdateJan 31st, 2023
Why certification? Benefits for social enterprises
Calling all businesses who are a force for good! Verify your social impact with social enterprise certification to show stakeholders, clients, and your team that you put your money where […]
UpdateJan 10th, 2023
Response to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) 2022-23 Legislative Review
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), a financial crown corporation wholly-owned by the Government of Canada, is Canada’s only bank exclusively focused on providing support to SMEs and entrepreneurs. […]
UpdateJan 4th, 2023
January 2023 Newsletter
Read our January newsletter and join us in looking ahead at what’s possible for social procurement and social enterprise in 2023! This newsletter shares impacts from 2022, updates about the […]
UpdateJan 3rd, 2023
Make a resolution to advance the marketplace revolution
2022 saw incredible progress with social procurement and community capital creation. People and organizations across the country are working to add value to their procurement in multiple ways, such as […]
Event RecapDec 27th, 2022
BCSPI Purchasing Power: How can procurement support zero waste?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateDec 6th, 2022
December 2022 Newsletter
Read our December newsletter to get details on how to #GiftSocial for the holidays, upcoming webinars and events, early bird discounts for 2023 training cohorts, and more stories showcasing the […]
Event RecapNov 29th, 2022
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can procurement advance reconciliation?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateNov 8th, 2022
November 2022 Newsletter
Read our November newsletter to get details on early bird discounts for 2023 training cohorts, grant opportunities for social enterprises, how to #GiftSocial for the holidays, and more social procurement […]
UpdateNov 7th, 2022
Give a gift that gives back when you #GiftSocial
The holiday season is a time of sharing and caring for each other. As you reflect on the holidays, consider a gift that creates community capital in addition to the joy it […]
UpdateNov 3rd, 2022
Sell with Impact in Logan, Australia
Enjoy this missive from Brisbane Australia, where some of our team travelled to participate in SEWF 2022. Logan is a diverse neighbour to Brisbane where residents speak 217 languages. We […]
UpdateOct 31st, 2022
Broad New Horizons: Symposium 2022 Recap
The theme of the 2022 Buy Social Canada Symposium of ‘Broad New Horizons’ beautifully encapsulates the breadth and energy of this year’s event. We heard from social enterprises, diverse suppliers, […]
UpdateOct 11th, 2022
Symposium 2022 Program Broad New Horizons
Join the Buy Social Canada Symposium: Broad New Horizons on October 18, 2022 to connect with leading social purchasers and suppliers, learn from industry experts, and celebrate trailblazers at the […]
UpdateOct 11th, 2022
Celebrate Social Procurement Champion Awards at the 2022 Buy Social Canada Symposium
There is no final destination on a social procurement journey. We will always seek to improve outcomes, increase impact and tell great stories. With the Social Procurement Champion Awards at […]
UpdateOct 5th, 2022
October 2022 Newsletter
Read our October newsletter to get the details on the Buy Social Canada Symposium program, in-person events, fall training courses, and more social procurement and social enterprise news from across […]
UpdateOct 4th, 2022
Welcome to Seal the Deal Fund where we help make contracts happen
We know that many supports for small businesses, investment providers and funds are rarely designed to support not-for-profits, or they come with red tape that makes it hard for small […]
UpdateSep 7th, 2022
September 2022 Newsletter
Read our September newsletter to get the details on Buy Social Canada Symposium registration, in-person events in Vancouver and Calgary, fall training registration deadlines, and more social procurement and social […]
UpdateAug 30th, 2022
Factsheets summarize social procurement research in the Australian Construction Sector
Read insightful and snappy factsheets summarizing recent international peer-reviewed research lead by University of Technology Sydney (UTS), shared by our esteemed colleague Martin Loosemore. Martin Loosemore is Distinguished Professor of […]
UpdateAug 10th, 2022
August 2022 Newsletter
Read our August newsletter to learn about a new Social Procurement Action Plan in Winnipeg, impact reports from Calgary’s Benefit Driven Procurement Program, early bird rates on Buy Social Canada […]
UpdateAug 2nd, 2022
Purchasing with Impact: An update from City of Calgary
The City of Calgary continues on their Benefit Driven Procurement (BDP, also referred to as social procurement) journey, after they began implementation in 2019. In a recent report to their […]
UpdateJul 5th, 2022
July 2022 Newsletter
Read our July newsletter to learn about early bird rates on Buy Social Canada training courses, an upcoming CBA webinar, grant fund opportunities for social enterprises and social value suppliers, […]
UpdateJul 4th, 2022
One year in: CBA implementation at New St. Paul’s Hospital
The New St. Paul’s Hospital (NSPH) project broke ground in spring 2021 and we have gathered the first year’s data on the community benefit agreement targets. Buy Social Canada is […]
UpdateJun 27th, 2022
Canadian Social Enterprises create healthy, vibrant communities by supporting persons with disabilities
In Canada, there are nearly 645,000 individuals with disabilities aged 25-64 who are able to work, but not currently employed (Statistics Canada). Work is something which brings meaning to many […]
UpdateJun 7th, 2022
June 2022 Newsletter
Read our June newsletter to learn about our new grant fund for social value suppliers, CBA research that shows a paradigm shift in the industry, a new member of the […]
UpdateMay 31st, 2022
Westbank contracts Buy Social Canada to assist with CBA implementation on 150 West Georgia Project
Buy Social Canada is proud to announce that we have been selected by Westbank as their Independent Third-Party Monitor contractor to support them in meeting the City of Vancouver’s Community Benefit […]
UpdateMay 27th, 2022
Buy with impact to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
This thought piece has been sent to Federal Ministers to advocate for social procurement. The complex and persistent need to create effective employment for persons with disabilities continues to be […]
UpdateMay 6th, 2022
May 2022 Newsletter
Read our May newsletter to learn about trainings to buy and sell with impact, a new member of the Buy Social Canada team, updates on social procurement policies and social […]
UpdateApr 28th, 2022
Choose the right purchasing strategy for your goals
Procurement is a powerful tool to address multiple social, economic, and environmental challenges. Social procurement focuses on leveraging social value from existing purchases to create community capital. Through contracting with […]
UpdateApr 5th, 2022
April 2022 Newsletter
Read our April newsletter to learn about trainings to buy and sell with impact, social enterprises creating community capital, public policy research and updates from Public Services and Procurement Canada […]
UpdateApr 4th, 2022
Learn the skills to buy and sell with impact with Buy Social Canada training courses
Together we are redefining how goods and services are bought and sold. Education is a critical tool as we work to embed social value and transform our purchasing. Buy Social […]
UpdateMar 31st, 2022
Social Enterprise Marketplace Debut at the Bentall Centre Pop-Ups
Vancouver, BC – On April 5, Buy Social Canada is celebrating the grand opening of the Social Enterprise Marketplace at the Bentall Centre Pop-Ups, in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown […]
UpdateMar 30th, 2022
Social enterprises across Canada create community capital by supporting immigrants and newcomers
One in four workers in Canada are immigrants, contributing to Canada’s growing labour force, local economies, and community wealth.[1] These numbers are expected to increase steadily in the coming years, […]
UpdateMar 8th, 2022
March 2022 Newsletter
Read our March newsletter to learn about the growing movement of municipalities taking the lead on social procurement, how construction builds community, two new Buy Social Canada team members, upcoming […]
UpdateMar 4th, 2022
More than a structure: Construction projects build community
Every purchase has an economic, environmental, cultural, and social impact. Social procurement is the intentional effort to leverage social value outcomes from existing purchasing. Procurement is shifting so that organizations […]
Event RecapFeb 17th, 2022
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can social procurement address climate change?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateFeb 8th, 2022
February 2022 Newsletter
Read our February newsletter to learn about new Buy Social Canada Purchasing Partners, impacts from social procurement across Canada, and get the latest on upcoming events and other social procurement […]
Event RecapFeb 1st, 2022
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can social procurement support diversity and inclusion?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateJan 26th, 2022
Social enterprise and the marketplace revolution: A manifesto for the future
By: David LePage, author of Marketplace Revolution Business can be much more than merely a means of economic transaction. Business is the exchange of goods and services and with the […]
UpdateJan 6th, 2022
January 2022 Newsletter
Read our January newsletter to learn about our vision for social procurement in 2022, job opportunities at Buy Social Canada, a new Social Procurement Professional Certificate cohort this spring, and […]
UpdateJan 6th, 2022
Social procurement solutions for 2022: Growing the movement of community capital creators
At this time last year, we were preparing for the unprecedented potential of a procurement paradigm shift in 2021. We asked the question, and challenged ourselves, “Can we move social […]
UpdateDec 21st, 2021
Job Posting: Operations Coordinator
Note: This position has been filled, but we accept resumes for any future hiring opportunities on an ongoing basis. If you’re looking for a meaningful role with a dynamic team, […]
UpdateDec 7th, 2021
December 2021 Newsletter
Read our December newsletter to learn about our #GiftSocial Campaign, a new collaboration with SETSI to support Black-led businesses in Toronto, and get the latest on upcoming events and other […]
Event RecapNov 30th, 2021
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can social procurement increase food security?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateNov 25th, 2021
Social procurement perceptions range from extortion to essential
At Buy Social Canada, we are always talking about social procurement. Recently we’ve been conducting interviews to assess the current understanding of social procurement across government, business, and social enterprise […]
Event RecapNov 23rd, 2021
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can social procurement support my local economy?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateNov 16th, 2021
#GiftSocial this holiday season
As you reflect on the holidays and what they entail this year, consider a gift that creates community capital! From chocolate, candles, furniture, clothing, jewelry and crafts, there are social enterprises that […]
Event RecapNov 8th, 2021
BCSPI Purchasing Power Recap: How can social procurement engage Indigenous businesses?
British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI) brings together local governments and institutions to develop and grow social procurement policies and practices. BCSPI is supported by Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, […]
UpdateNov 2nd, 2021
November 2021 Newsletter
Read our November newsletter to share ideas for our Symposium next Spring, and learn more about upcoming events and other social procurement news. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up […]
UpdateOct 6th, 2021
October 2021 Newsletter
Read our October newsletter to learn more about upcoming webinars and events, and other social procurement news and Buy Social Canada updates. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up to […]
UpdateSep 27th, 2021
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and City of Calgary pass social procurement unanimously
Community engagement, shared learning and iteration key to program development and policy success. The week of September 13th, the City of Calgary and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, two […]
UpdateSep 9th, 2021
September 2021 Newsletter
Read our September newsletter to learn more about upcoming training courses, and other social procurement news and Buy Social Canada updates. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up to date.
UpdateAug 25th, 2021
Buy Social Canada: Proud Living Wage Employer
Buy Social Canada is proud to be a certified living wage employer in both BC and Ontario. We believe everyone has the right to fair wages and a good quality […]
UpdateAug 10th, 2021
August 2021 Newsletter
Read our August newsletter for the latest in social procurement news and Buy Social Canada updates. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up to date.
UpdateJul 20th, 2021
Exploring Community Wealth Building Through Social Procurement in Ontario — Final Report
Throughout Ontario, social procurement is contributing towards the creation of inclusive, vibrant and healthy communities. This report recaps a five-part knowledge series that examined the Ontario social procurement ecosystem – social enterprises as suppliers, social […]
UpdateJul 7th, 2021
July 2021 Newsletter
Take a look at our July newsletter for the latest in social procurement news and Buy Social Canada updates. Read the newsletter here, and subscribe to stay up to date.
UpdateJun 23rd, 2021
Welcome Green Shield Canada, the newest Certified Social Enterprise
Buy Social Canada is excited to announce the latest Certified Social Enterprise, Green Shield Canada. Green Shield Canada was founded in 1957 as a non-profit with a mission to make […]
UpdateJun 16th, 2021
Social procurement grows across British Columbia municipalities with the expansion of CCSPI
Buy Social Canada, Scale Collaborative, Presentation Plus and Vancouver Island Construction Association to provide education, consulting and support for community-focused purchasing Social procurement is a powerful tool to help achieve […]
UpdateJun 4th, 2021
June 2021 newsletter
Here’s the latest in social enterprise and social procurement news From the Buy Social Canada team We are deeply saddened by the ongoing trauma that has been highlighted by the deaths […]
UpdateMay 31st, 2021
PCL contracts Buy Social Canada to assist with St Paul’s Hospital Community Benefit Agreement implementation
Buy Social Canada is proud to announce that we have been selected by PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. as their independent Third Party Monitor contractor, to support them in meeting the […]
UpdateMay 18th, 2021
Purpose businesses buy with impact
You didn’t make good choices. You had good choices – Celeste Ng We all face challenges. But there are many people in our communities who don’t have good choices to […]
PodcastAug 5th, 2020
Social Value Marketplace Podcast: Episode 5 with David LePage
David LePage, managing partner of Buy Social Canada, has just written and released a new book, Marketplace Revolution — from Concentrated Wealth to Community Capital. In this well-timed and pioneering work, […]
PodcastAug 4th, 2020
Social Value Marketplace Podcast: Episode 4 with Martin Loosemore
Martin Loosemore is Professor of Construction Management at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He has published 10 books and over 300 internationally refereed articles in the areas of risk […]
PodcastJul 31st, 2020
Social Value Marketplace Podcast: Episode 3 with Tim Coldwell, Chandos
Chandos Construction is a 100 percent employee owned, 40-year-old construction firm operating in cities across Canada. It is also a Certified B Corporation and a leader in social hiring and […]
PodcastJul 29th, 2020
Social Value Marketplace Podcast: Episode 2 with Stephen Young, SAP
All of government, business, institutions, and non-profit organizations are purchasers. Every purchase they make has economic, environmental, and social value-creation power. Social procurement leverages their existing purchasing for social value. […]
PodcastJul 28th, 2020
Social Value Marketplace Podcast: Episode 1 with Nancy Neamtan
For over three decades Nancy Neamtan has been on the frontlines of the social economy movement in Quebec. Nancy served as CEO of Chantier de l’économie sociale from 1996 to […]
UpdateMar 31st, 2021
Social Value Menu for Goods and Services
The latest in the Social Value Menu series features templates for social procurement implementation for goods and services. This Social Value Menu will help you design, evaluate and implement the […]
UpdateMar 29th, 2021
East Van Roasters Ready for Easter and a New Business Model
East Van Roasters is moving to a Community Contribution Company (CCC) business model East Van Roasters is a Buy Social Canada certified social enterprise. For eight years has operated a café […]
UpdateMar 24th, 2021
Guide to Social Procurement in Construction and Infrastructure Projects
Just released, a new tool to apply social procurement to various construction models. In the Guide to Social Procurement in Construction and Infrastructure Projects we outline a path to increase […]
UpdateMar 16th, 2021
Social Procurement Award Winners!
Congratulations to the 2021 Social Procurement Champion Award Winners – Featuring a municipal purchaser, social value suppliers and community advocates from across Canada Join us on April 26, 2021 at […]
UpdateMar 2nd, 2021
Downtown Eastside Social Enterprise Impact Report 2020
The 28 social enterprises surveyed were all impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. Some closed for good while others pivoted and prospered This year has revealed the ability for the social […]
UpdateJan 4th, 2021
Social Procurement in 2021: Unprecedented potential for a paradigm shift
As we enter 2021, we find ourselves facing the unprecedented potential of a procurement paradigm shift. Can we move social procurement from the exploration phase to a place of widespread […]
UpdateDec 18th, 2020
Recommendations for City of Vancouver Budget 2021
Enhance and Amplify Implementation of COV Existing Social Procurement Policy. Outcomes: Enhance Community Value Created from Existing Budget Spending Maximize the Re-investment of Vancouver Taxes back into Vancouver’s Local Economy […]
UpdateNov 24th, 2020
COVID Spending & Social Procurement
The government has had to spend into incredible debt amounts to respond to the crisis. A question on many people’s mind is “how will we recover from the debt and […]
UpdateNov 19th, 2020
New – Supplier Guide to Social Procurement
Learn how social enterprises and other social value suppliers can find and access social procurement opportunities. The Supplier Guide to Social Procurement is designed to support social value suppliers to […]
UpdateOct 28th, 2020
Talking about a Marketplace Revolution: Audiobook available now
The journey of self-publishing Marketplace Revolution by David LePage has been dynamic and diverse. The most recent leg of the journey was kicked off when a colleague who is blind […]
UpdateOct 9th, 2020
Buy Social Canada Pledge welcomes founding corporate partners SAP and Chandos Construction
The Buy Social Canada Pledge invites private companies and public entities to make the commitment to work toward a goal of percentage spend with social enterprises. The collective effort of […]
UpdateAug 25th, 2020
Institutions and Social Procurement – Anchoring Community through Purchasing
An anchor institution grounds a community through both relationships and its physical presence. As a public-facing or public-serving institution with a fixed location, there is an innate connection to the […]
UpdateJul 16th, 2020
Stronger Together – Solidarity Statement
A collaborative partnership of network leaders in social innovation, social finance, the social economy, and community economic development across Canada, including Buy Social Canada, have come together to provide this […]
UpdateMay 26th, 2020
New Tools for Community Employment Benefit and Community Benefit Agreement Implementation
Just released, the updated Buy Social Canada Social Value Menu now has two new versions: Community Benefit Agreements and Community Employment Benefits. Both are available for free to download now. […]
UpdateMay 25th, 2020
Community Economic Development for COVID-19 Recovery in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
We are encouraging the City of Vancouver to continue working with community partners to enhance existing and established policy and programs as a means to support the next steps in […]
UpdateApr 6th, 2020
Community Benefit Agreements: the Vancouver Policy
When we walk through our neighbourhoods how many different types of buildings do we see? Houses, Shops, Restaurants, Schools, Hospitals? All of these buildings are more than just physical infrastructure; […]