Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
January 27, 2017

Working to Make Communities Stronger

Provincial Government Hosting Targeted Engagement Sessions on Social Enterprise Action Plan

To support development of our province�s social enterprise sector, the Provincial Government is commencing the Social Enterprise Action Plan engagement process today (Friday, January 27).

�As documented in The Way Forward, our government is committed to the development of a Social Enterprise Action Plan in Newfoundland and Labrador. Social enterprises play a very important role in Newfoundland and Labrador�s economy, and the development of a Social Enterprise Action Plan will aim to support existing enterprises, and encourage development of new opportunities.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Social enterprises involve the production and sale of goods and services, and then using the generated revenues to reinvest in community goals. These enterprises are active in a range of sectors throughout the province, such as tourism, fishing, recreation, social housing and services for people with disabilities. Some successful examples in Newfoundland and Labrador include Fogo Island�s Shorefast Foundation, the Rising Tide Theatre and the St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.

�Social enterprise development is an innovative tool for advancing regional growth opportunities that benefit the economy, support rural sustainability and encourage entrepreneurial governance models and service delivery. I look forward to hearing from stakeholders and using feedback to guide the development of our Social Enterprise Action Plan.�
- Minister Mitchelmore

Targeted engagement sessions with stakeholders are taking place throughout the province until mid-February. These sessions will look at core areas of development such as policy, research and opportunity identification, access to capital and financing, business and organizational skills development, and promotion and awareness.

In mid-February, a discussion document and online questionnaire will be available online at: www.btcrd.gov.nl.ca to provide stakeholders and individuals interested in submitting feedback the opportunity to do so. Following the engagement process, a summary document will be released publicly.

Developing a Social Enterprise Action Plan advances one of more than 50 initiatives included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf. PDF file  The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province�s economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government is developing a Social Enterprise Action Plan, with targeted stakeholder engagement sessions beginning today (Friday, January 27).
  • In addition to the engagement sessions, an online questionnaire will be available on the department�s website at www.btcrd.gov.nl.ca in mid-February to provide stakeholders and the general public the opportunity to provide input on the Social Enterprise Action Plan.
  • This initiative advances one of more than 50 included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Media contact:

Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
709-729-4819, 725- 9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

2017 01 27                              11:55 a.m.