Project 1a

Survey of the Social Economy in Northern Canada

In 2008 organizations and other informal groups were sent a survey via mail or email inviting them to participate in this research project to provide an inventory of Social Economy groups in northern Canada. This project is part of northern research partnership coordinated by the three Territorial Colleges in collaboration with Lakehead University.  In order to understand the impacts and importance of this area in the North we need to determine the number and types of organizations that currently exist in the North. We conducted a survey of non-profit and voluntary organizations, co-operatives, credit unions and other social economy organizations in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik and Labrador. The questionnaire was to assist in determining the characteristics of these organizations, including locations, activities, size, employment, membership and structure. Details of this work and a copy of the questionnaire are available in the information below.

Project Updates 

A report from the results of the initial survey of social economy in Nunavut:

Research Report  -  The Social Economy and Nunavut: Barriers and Opportunities (October, 2010)

Social Economy Organizations in the North (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut, Nunavik and Labrador) - updated August 2010
List of Social Economy Organizations in the North (pdf file)

Research Methods (Questionnaire and cover letter)

Questionnaire - 2010 (Word version)

Questionnaire - 2010 (pdf version)

Cover Letter - 2010 (Word version)

Cover letter - 2010 (pdf version)

Questionnaire - 2009

Cover Letter - 2009

Cover Letter: English (2010)  Word version; English (2010) - pdf version; English (2009); French; Inuktitut

Questionnaire: English (2010) - Word version; English (2010) - pdf version; English (2009); French; Inuktitut

Introduction/Background

Community Partners/Research Team (2009):
Chris Southcott, Lakehead University (Project Lead)
Valoree Walker, SERNNoCa Coordinator, Northern Research Institute, Yukon College
Karen MacKenzie, Nunavut Coordinator, Nunavut Research Institute, Nunavut Arctic College
Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox Northwest Territories Coordinator, Arctic Health Research Network-Northwest Territories
Student Research Assistants (summer 2009) - Carmen Lyall, Labrador Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Kiri Staples, Yukon College

For further information about this project, contact Chris Southcott (csouthco@lakeheadu.ca) or Valoree Walker (sernnoca@yukoncollege.yk.ca)

Description

The Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada is part of a national research suite with 6 regional networks and a coordinating Hub funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The Northern node is built around the three Northern Territorial Colleges and their respective research institutions and links researchers working in the North with Northern students, community organizations and educational institutions. The activities are coordinated and administered through the Northern Research Institute of Yukon College. This project deals with Theme 1 to develop a profile of the social economy in Northern Canada. This will be achieved through establishing a categorization and inventory of the existing social economy organizations. The research is an important initial task of this group as it will assist the program with developing further research projects that address the needs and priorities of northern communities and organizations.

Communication of Project

The results of this study will be communicated widely to individuals and communities in the North. As the research is coordinated through by territorial representatives there will be easier access to the information throughout the study. The Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada will provide information through various written media including regular newsletters, website postings with discussion session and an intranet site for participating members. The website will provide a discussion site to enable feedback and input throughout the project. Where possible public information sessions will be held to keep individuals informed and allow for further input into the research.  The results of the study will also be shared with other social economy research nodes and the National Hub that are also involved in this research across Canada. It will be presented at conferences, seminars and published in various journals including the Northern Review and Arctic.

Request for Participation:

Survey of the Social Economy in Northern Canada (sent out February - May 2008)

• please answer the questions as they apply to an organization to which you belong, you may wish to have your board of directors or stakeholder groups complete the questionnaire together. The questionnaire is linked below.
• Please return the questionnaire to the SERNNoCa Coordinator, Valoree Walker (sernnoca@yukoncollege.yk.ca).

Thanks!

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