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A letter writing campaign is now underway lead by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet - http://www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/pages/home.asp) in support of the social economy funding that was originally allocated to FedNor and the regional economic development programs across Canada (see below).

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) is a national member-based, democratic organization. 

The membership of CCEDNet is made up of Community Economic Development (CED) community-based organizations and practitioners from every region of Canada.  Our members bring urban, rural and northern experience and a diverse range of community economic development expertise to the work of CCEDNet.
 
The CCEDNet mission is to promote and support community economic development for the social, economic and environmental betterment of communities within Canada.

WRITE NOW TO SUPPORT SOCIAL ECONOMY FUNDING
 
Dear Members,

Funding to support CED and social economy organizations and initiatives was approved by the Federal Government back in 2004.  But as we are all aware, it hasn’t been implemented outside of Quebec.  We are concerned now that the implementation of the funding by Regional Development Agencies of the Federal Government (Western Diversification, FEDNOR, ACOA) will be cancelled as part of budget adjustments by the new Government.  We would like all of our members to join us in writing to MPs of all parties, and the relevant Ministers, to urge that funding support for CED and the Social Economy be continued, and that proposal calls be implemented as soon as possible in all provinces.   
 
A sample letter is available for you to use, and a list of the key Ministers in the new government together with opposition critics are also available by clicking here (PDF document).  Please copy us on your letters and any replies that you receive. You may also wish to visit the website of the Canadian Co-operative Association at www.CoopsCanada.coop/advocacy to use their simple tool for sending letters on the social economy to Members of Parliament.  
 
In addition, CCEDNet’s submission on the 2006 budget is available here (PDF document).  
 
We hope you will join in this work to secure funding for our communities.  Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Rupert Downing,
Executive Director