What is the Social Economy? Toward a response paying attention to the Québécois and Canadian...

What is the Social What is the Social Economy?Economy?

Toward a response paying Toward a response paying attention to the Québécois attention to the Québécois

and and Canadian contextsCanadian contextsSocial Economy SymposiumSocial Economy Symposium

Social Economy CenterSocial Economy CenterMarch 2-3 2006March 2-3 2006

OISE/UTOISE/UTBy Yves Vaillancourt, UQAMBy Yves Vaillancourt, UQAM

2Vaillancourt (UQAM)

A A startingstarting point! point! 3 years ago, I was delivering a conference here at OISE 3 years ago, I was delivering a conference here at OISE

as part of a Canadian Tour on the Social Economyas part of a Canadian Tour on the Social Economy The title was « The Social Economy in Quebec and the The title was « The Social Economy in Quebec and the

Voluntary Sector in Canada: two separate worlds? »Voluntary Sector in Canada: two separate worlds? » I was encouraging the bridging of both concepts and I was encouraging the bridging of both concepts and

worlds worlds At that time, the concept of social economy was At that time, the concept of social economy was

present in the Quebec Government public discourse, present in the Quebec Government public discourse, but not present in the Federal government discoursebut not present in the Federal government discourse

On the federal scene, the Voluntary Sector Initiative On the federal scene, the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) was a reference point in 2003(VSI) was a reference point in 2003

Since 2003, some political changes have occurred: 3 Since 2003, some political changes have occurred: 3 changes of governments in Ottawa, one change in changes of governments in Ottawa, one change in Quebec and one change in OntarioQuebec and one change in Ontario

What does this mean for the social economy?What does this mean for the social economy?


My bias on SEMy bias on SE My specialization is in the area of My specialization is in the area of

social policysocial policy The research work I have been The research work I have been

doing on SE is more connected with doing on SE is more connected with the Social Development side (social the Social Development side (social policy) than with the Economic policy) than with the Economic Development side:Development side: SE in the Management & Delivery of SE in the Management & Delivery of

human services (example: Day care human services (example: Day care services)services)


Diversity of SE Diversity of SE DefinitionsDefinitions

In 2003, I was in favour of a broad and inclusive In 2003, I was in favour of a broad and inclusive definition of the Social Economy making room for definition of the Social Economy making room for market and non-market components of the SEmarket and non-market components of the SE

In 2006, I am still in favour of a broad definitionIn 2006, I am still in favour of a broad definition Among researchers and practitioners, I am Among researchers and practitioners, I am

perhaps part now of a minority?perhaps part now of a minority? Some would like to have a consensus on the Some would like to have a consensus on the

definition of the SE and are disappointed with the definition of the SE and are disappointed with the pluralism of definitionspluralism of definitions

We should not be surprised or scandalized, it is We should not be surprised or scandalized, it is normal normal

Each definition is a construction influenced by Each definition is a construction influenced by the theoretical or practical objectives pursuedthe theoretical or practical objectives pursued


Mapping without defining Mapping without defining the SE?the SE?

Some people argue they want to be Some people argue they want to be concrete and do not want to loose concrete and do not want to loose time with issues of definition!time with issues of definition!

Some are discovering the links Some are discovering the links between mapping and defining the between mapping and defining the SE in different regions of Canada!SE in different regions of Canada!

Indeed, how to do the mapping of Indeed, how to do the mapping of the SE without paying attention to the SE without paying attention to the definition of SE?the definition of SE?


Defining Features of SE Defining Features of SE OrganizationsOrganizations

SE organizations produce goods & SE organizations produce goods & services with a clear social mission services with a clear social mission and have these and have these ideal typeideal type features: features: Services to members and communities & Services to members and communities &

non-profit orientationnon-profit orientation Management is independent of Management is independent of

governmentgovernment Democratic decision-making by Democratic decision-making by

workers/users/local communitiesworkers/users/local communities People have priority over capitalPeople have priority over capital Participation, empowerment, individual & Participation, empowerment, individual &

collective responsibility are emphasizedcollective responsibility are emphasized


SE Areas of SE Areas of ActivitiesActivities

Health & Social Health & Social ServicesServices

Labour Market Labour Market IntegrationIntegration

Media and Media and Information Information TechnologiesTechnologies

Popular EducationPopular Education Sports and Sports and

RecreationRecreation TourismTourism AdvocacyAdvocacy

Cultural ActivitiesCultural Activities Land ManagementLand Management Environment and Environment and

RecyclingRecycling Local and Regional Local and Regional

DevelopmentDevelopment Fair TradeFair Trade Financial Services Financial Services

(credit unions)(credit unions) HousingHousing


Two components of SE broadly Two components of SE broadly defineddefined

Market SE (part of the Market SE (part of the revenues are coming from revenues are coming from selling goods and services)selling goods and services)

Non-Market SENon-Market SE

QuestionQuestion: when the SE is : when the SE is acknowledge in the public policy acknowledge in the public policy of a particular government, of a particular government, what SE component is it?what SE component is it?


In Québec: SE under PQ In Québec: SE under PQ Governments Governments

(1994-2003)(1994-2003) The PQ gvt use the concept of SE in its public The PQ gvt use the concept of SE in its public

discourse discourse Formal acceptance of a broad and inclusive definition Formal acceptance of a broad and inclusive definition

of the SE at the Socioeconomic Submit of 1996. But of the SE at the Socioeconomic Submit of 1996. But narrowing from 1998 thereafternarrowing from 1998 thereafter

A fragmented public policy to acknowledge and A fragmented public policy to acknowledge and sustain SE initiativessustain SE initiatives A policy to acknowledge the cooperatives housed in the A policy to acknowledge the cooperatives housed in the

Quebec State for many years. But this market component of Quebec State for many years. But this market component of SE is not seen officially as a SE fragmentSE is not seen officially as a SE fragment

A policy to acknowledge the non-market component of SE A policy to acknowledge the non-market component of SE called «action communautaire autonome ». This fragment called «action communautaire autonome ». This fragment and the SACA is not seen as a SE fragmentand the SACA is not seen as a SE fragment

A policy to acknowledge the new generation of SE initiatives A policy to acknowledge the new generation of SE initiatives referred to at the 1996 Submit on Economy and Employmentreferred to at the 1996 Submit on Economy and Employment


In Québec: SE under Jean In Québec: SE under Jean Charest Charest

(2003-…)(2003-…) Social Economy is no longer a Social Economy is no longer a

key word in the government key word in the government discoursediscourse

Not the end, but the downsizing Not the end, but the downsizing of the SE public policy of the of the SE public policy of the former PQ government.former PQ government.

Subtle promotion of a quasi-Subtle promotion of a quasi-market regulation in the area of market regulation in the area of Child Care and Home Care Child Care and Home Care (e.g., (e.g., Bill no 124 in Day Care) Bill no 124 in Day Care)


In Ottawa: SE under Jean In Ottawa: SE under Jean Chrétien Chrétien (1993-2003)(1993-2003)

SE is not a concept used in the public SE is not a concept used in the public discoursediscourse

Contradiction between nice ideas of the « Red Contradiction between nice ideas of the « Red Books » and the neoliberal reengineering of Books » and the neoliberal reengineering of public finances in the mid-1990s which means:public finances in the mid-1990s which means: End of Social Housing funding for new projects End of Social Housing funding for new projects

(1994)(1994) No cost-sharing for provincial day care initiativesNo cost-sharing for provincial day care initiatives 30 % cuts of CHST in 1996 + cuts of UI/EI30 % cuts of CHST in 1996 + cuts of UI/EI

A public policy focussing on the non-market A public policy focussing on the non-market SE component: The $94 M over 5 year for the SE component: The $94 M over 5 year for the Voluntary Sector Initiative (1999-2004) Voluntary Sector Initiative (1999-2004)


In Ottawa: SE under Paul In Ottawa: SE under Paul Martin Martin (2003-2005)(2003-2005)

A key concept in the public discourse of the A key concept in the public discourse of the government (in Throne and Budget speeches government (in Throne and Budget speeches etc.)etc.)

A public policy focussing on the market SE A public policy focussing on the market SE component ($132 M over 5 year SE Initiative)component ($132 M over 5 year SE Initiative)

A public policy neglect of the non-market A public policy neglect of the non-market component of SE: End of the VSIcomponent of SE: End of the VSI

The difficulty of developing an integrated The difficulty of developing an integrated public policy on the SE capable of integrating public policy on the SE capable of integrating social policy reforms having interfaces with social policy reforms having interfaces with SE like the Child Care « national program » SE like the Child Care « national program » with $5 Billions over 5 yearswith $5 Billions over 5 years


In Ottawa: SE under Stephen In Ottawa: SE under Stephen HarperHarper

(2006-…)(2006-…)

A minority government unable to A minority government unable to take initiatives in an autonomous take initiatives in an autonomous manner. Therefore, the manner. Therefore, the importance:importance: Of the platform of the Conservative Of the platform of the Conservative

Party of CanadaParty of Canada Of the platforms of the other federal Of the platforms of the other federal

political parties (Liberal Party of political parties (Liberal Party of Canada, NDP, Bloc Québécois)Canada, NDP, Bloc Québécois)


Question for Ontario: Question for Ontario: What is the place of the SE in What is the place of the SE in

provincial public policy at provincial public policy at

Queen’s Park ?Queen’s Park ?

Under the Harris Conservative Under the Harris Conservative Government?Government?

Under the McGuinty Liberal Under the McGuinty Liberal Government?Government?


The Social Economy andThe Social Economy andChild Care in CanadaChild Care in Canada

In 2005 Ottawa signed new child care In 2005 Ottawa signed new child care agreements “in principle” with all agreements “in principle” with all provinces and territories and “financial provinces and territories and “financial agreements” with Manitoba, Ontario and agreements” with Manitoba, Ontario and QuebecQuebec

What are the interfaces between these What are the interfaces between these agreements and social economy agreements and social economy initiatives?initiatives?

With the arrival of the Harper government, With the arrival of the Harper government, what will be the impact for these what will be the impact for these agreements on social economy initiatives?agreements on social economy initiatives?


SE and the Martin SE and the Martin Government agreements on Government agreements on

Child CareChild Care The SE was one element of the Quebec The SE was one element of the Quebec

CPE Model (1997-2005)CPE Model (1997-2005) The Martin Government referred The Martin Government referred

positively to the Quebec Model in the positively to the Quebec Model in the federal-provincial negotiation over the federal-provincial negotiation over the Child Care AgreementsChild Care Agreements

But the 4 principles included in QUAD But the 4 principles included in QUAD (Quality, Universality, Accessibility and (Quality, Universality, Accessibility and Development) do not include formally Development) do not include formally non-profit delivery – that is the SE! non-profit delivery – that is the SE!


Conclusion: Some IssuesConclusion: Some Issues In the area of public policy with regard to In the area of public policy with regard to

the SE, pay attention not only to the Federal the SE, pay attention not only to the Federal government initiatives, but also to the government initiatives, but also to the provincial/territorial and municipal provincial/territorial and municipal initiatives!initiatives!

Give value to inter-provincial comparative Give value to inter-provincial comparative studies on the SE, such as Quebec-Ontario studies on the SE, such as Quebec-Ontario comparatives studies…comparatives studies…

Importance of Acknowledging SE initiatives Importance of Acknowledging SE initiatives in civil societyin civil society

International solidarity links have been International solidarity links have been created on SE initiatives following the Dakar created on SE initiatives following the Dakar 2005 meeting2005 meeting


Key ReferencesKey References www.Larepps.uqam.ca.. Chantier de l’économie sociale (1996). Chantier de l’économie sociale (1996). Osons la solidaritéOsons la solidarité. . A. Evers & J.-L. Laville (Eds) (2004). A. Evers & J.-L. Laville (Eds) (2004). The Third sector in The Third sector in

Europe, Europe, Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar.Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar. L. Favreau (2005). L. Favreau (2005). Les regroupements nationaux d’économie Les regroupements nationaux d’économie

sociale au Québec: Essai d’analyse politiquesociale au Québec: Essai d’analyse politique, CRDC, UQO, , CRDC, UQO, Gatineau, recherche no 36, 37 p. Ce texte a aussi été publié Gatineau, recherche no 36, 37 p. Ce texte a aussi été publié comme Cahiers du LAREPPS, no 05-15.comme Cahiers du LAREPPS, no 05-15.

HORIZONS (2006). Vol. 8, no 2, Feb. 2006. Special issue on HORIZONS (2006). Vol. 8, no 2, Feb. 2006. Special issue on the SE. the SE.

B. Lévesque et M. Mendell (2004). B. Lévesque et M. Mendell (2004). L’économie sociale : diversité des approches et des pratiques, Proposition pour le nouveau programme des ARUC en économie sociale, document de travail pour la présidence du CRSH, Montréal, 2 juillet, 37 p.

Y. Vaillancourt et L. Thériault (forthcoming). « Économie Y. Vaillancourt et L. Thériault (forthcoming). « Économie sociale, poliques sociales et fédéralisme au Canada », in Alain-sociale, poliques sociales et fédéralisme au Canada », in Alain-G. Gagnon (Ed), G. Gagnon (Ed), Le fédéralisme canadien au 21e siècleLe fédéralisme canadien au 21e siècle, , Montréal, PUM, 2006.Montréal, PUM, 2006.

Y. Vaillancourt (forthcoming). « Le tiers secteur au Canada, un Y. Vaillancourt (forthcoming). « Le tiers secteur au Canada, un lieu de rencontre entre la tradition américaine et la tradition lieu de rencontre entre la tradition américaine et la tradition européenne », européenne », Canadian Review of Social PolicyCanadian Review of Social Policy, 2006. , 2006.


Appendix 1 The Four Sectors in the Delivery of Human Services

Public

Sector

Private

Sector

Social Economy

Informal SectorAdapted from Vaillancourt & Jetté (1999)

Public Institutions

Government Departments & Agencies

CBO / NGO / NPO

Cooperatives

Private Agencies

Self-employed workers

Family

Friends

Neighbors

Self-help groups

Volunteer (only) groupsSelf-employed

(Back

Market)


Appendix 2 Questions for the Appendix 2 Questions for the Analysis of a Service Produced by Analysis of a Service Produced by

the Social Economythe Social Economy

How is the funded? (Who is funding How is the funded? (Who is funding it?)it?)

How is it regulated? (Who is setting How is it regulated? (Who is setting and monitoring the standards?)and monitoring the standards?)

How is it delivered? (Who is How is it delivered? (Who is responsible for the delivery?)responsible for the delivery?)

Answers to these questions can Answers to these questions can produce a number of different produce a number of different permutations!permutations!

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