SSHRC-funded research networks will help improve community-based social,
cultural and health services
(Montreal, November 8, 2005) – The Social Sciences
and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) announced today a $9-million
investment to connect university researchers with the not-for-profit organizations
that make up Canada’s essential social economy.
From child care and credit unions to food banks and community theatre,
social economy organizations provide essential social, cultural, economic
and health services to communities across the country. The funding announced
today will be used to build five Canadian research networks: a central
hub to coordinate the national research effort and four regional centres
that will carry out research in partnership with local organizations.
“Social economy organizations make an essential—but often
unrecognized—contribution to our economy and to the health and well-being
of all Canadians,” said Eleni Bakopanos, parliamentary secretary
to the minister of social development with special emphasis on social
economy, who made today’s announcement on behalf of David L. Emerson,
minister of industry and minister responsible for SSHRC.
Jean-Marc Fontan of the Université du Québec à Montréal
will receive $1.75 million over five years to lead the Québec
research network. Building on the province’s long history of
support for the social economy, Fontan will investigate how this sector
has helped strengthen Québec society and how it will continue to
contribute to economic growth.
Each research network leader was selected through a competitive, internationally-recognized
peer-review process, and will receive $1.75 million over five years to
build his or her network.
Ian MacPherson of the University of Victoria will oversee the national
research network. His work will focus on developing policies to
better support social economy organizations in Canada and to improve
their overall effectiveness.
Leslie Brown of Mount Saint Vincent University will lead research
in Atlantic Canada. This network
will study the unique challenges faced by this region’s not-for-profit
sector, including an aging population, youth unemployment and First
Nations’ issues.
At the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University
of Toronto, Jack Quarter will head the Southern
Ontario research network with a special focus on organic farming,
environmental issues and urban food security.
The Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, and northern Ontario research node will be directed
by Lou Hammond Ketilson of the University of Saskatchewan. This network
will work hand-in-hand with local grassroots and co-operative organizations
to uncover regional success stories.
“These networks will help uncover the hidden value of the social
economy for Canada’s overall economic wealth,” said Stan Shapson,
acting president of SSHRC. “At the same time, they will ensure research
knowledge and expertise is shared, not only among Canadian universities,
but also with the organizations which will benefit most from these results.”
For additional information on this release and other SSHRC research projects,
please contact:
Doré Dunne
Media relations officer
Telephone: (613) 992-7302
E-mail: dore.dunne@sshrc.ca
