Buy Social Canada

Buy Social Canada Buy Social Canada is your access point to social procurement. We bring socially driven purchasers an

Social enterprises are leading the movement for inclusive employment. Based on new Buy Social Canada research on the sec...
06/18/2026

Social enterprises are leading the movement for inclusive employment.
Based on new Buy Social Canada research on the sector, more than 5,600 social enterprise employees are individuals facing barriers to traditional employment. When social enterprises hire, not only do they create jobs, but they also provide wraparound support, training, and a path to stability.

One employee at Certified Social Enterprise RadiCare Ventures shared: "When no one believed in me, you did." That is the power of social enterprise.

Read Built for Impact, Ready for Market for more stories of impact: https://www.buysocialcanada.com/posts/resources/built-for-impact-ready-for-market-canadian-social-enterprise-sector-survey-report/

The data is clear: Canada’s social enterprises are a vital part of our SME economy.📊 Based on data from the first nation...
06/17/2026

The data is clear: Canada’s social enterprises are a vital part of our SME economy.

📊 Based on data from the first national survey of Canadian social enterprises in a decade, we know that just over 400 social enterprises created significant economic impact:
• $6.5 Billion+ in gross revenue (2025)
• $250 Million+ in wages paid (2025)
• 18,718+ employees
• 5,688+ employees facing barriers to traditional employment

We also know these numbers are only a snapshot of the full impact of the sector, as not all respondents shared or track this data, and the true size of the sector is much larger.

Regardless, the data shows that not only do social enterprises improve community economic resilience and wellbeing, but they are businesses driving real economic value.

Read Built for Impact, Ready for Market for more insights from the sector: https://www.buysocialcanada.com/posts/resources/built-for-impact-ready-for-market-canadian-social-enterprise-sector-survey-report/

Congratulations to Community Gift & Thrift (MCC Thrift), the winner of the $500 Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey...
06/16/2026

Congratulations to Community Gift & Thrift (MCC Thrift), the winner of the $500 Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey prize!

Based in Lanigan, SK, Community Gift & Thrift is a non-profit thrift shop, and part of the MCC Thrift network. Shopping at their store generates revenue for nonprofit activities and supports local economic and community resilience.

And a major thank you to all 347 survey respondents for sharing your time, knowledge and stories with us. We're thrilled to launch the Built for Impact, Ready for Market report to help raise awareness about the sector and the incredible achievements you've all made, and advocate for a concerted shift towards social procurement, patient capital, and tailored capacity-building support. Read it now: https://socialenterprisesurvey.ca/survey-findings

It’s here! The first national portrait of Canada’s social enterprise sector in a decade is finally live.Social enterpris...
06/16/2026

It’s here! The first national portrait of Canada’s social enterprise sector in a decade is finally live.

Social enterprise innovation builds a strong economy for all. Buy Social Canada's new report, Built for Impact, Ready for Market, reveals that over 400 social enterprises generated over $6.5 billion in revenue and employed over 18,000 Canadians in 2025.

Across a range of sectors and in every province and territory, social enterprises are the engine of inclusive growth, despite operating in systems not designed for their unique business model.

Read the report: https://socialenterprisesurvey.ca/survey-findings
En français: https://socialenterprisesurvey.ca/page-daccueil

Buy Social Canada gratefully acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and our partners on this project: The Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet), Centre for Social Enterprise Development, Community Sector Council NL, Community Sector Network PEI, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale, Imagine Canada, Ontario Nonprofit Network, The Purposeful Group, Purppl, Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, Scale Collaborative, SETSI, and Vantage Point.

Something exciting is coming soon... Built for Impact, Ready for Market, the Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey Re...
06/16/2026

Something exciting is coming soon... Built for Impact, Ready for Market, the Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey Report, launches tomorrow, June 16!

Stay tuned for all the details. We can't wait to share this pivotal report, the first national sector survey data in a decade.

Subscribe to read it first: https://nut.sh/ell/forms/328875/AzCV7K

The Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey and Report were funded in part by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and delivered in partnership with sector organizations across the country.

New blog alert! The City of Edmonton - Local Government-owned Ambleside Integrated Site Phase 1 (AIS-1) project demonstr...
06/12/2026

New blog alert! The City of Edmonton - Local Government-owned Ambleside Integrated Site Phase 1 (AIS-1) project demonstrates both the potential and the complexities of embedding community benefits into construction sector procurement.

The AIS-1 pilot works toward targets for social procurement, Indigenous procurement, and inclusive employment that were co-created by Buy Social Canada, the project’s Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) team, and the City of Edmonton.

18 months into construction, AIS-1 is far exceeding its targets for the employment of equity-deserving groups. While it has not yet met the social or Indigenous procurement targets, the team is showing best efforts and remains committed to strive to achieve these goals. The project is also gathering data and learnings that will inform future community benefit activities in the city.

We'd also like to express our congratulations to Delnor, a Buy Social Canada Social Purchasing Partner, and the whole Ambleside IPD team, which recently won a Building Diversity Award.

Learn more about AIS-1's progress: https://www.buysocialcanada.com/posts/update/18-months-into-the-ambleside-integrated-site-community-benefits-pilot/

Canada’s social enterprise sector is a vital engine driving inclusive growth, innovation, and community resilience acros...
05/07/2026

Canada’s social enterprise sector is a vital engine driving inclusive growth, innovation, and community resilience across every province and territory. The full Built for Impact, Ready for Market report launches soon, and presents the first national snapshot of the sector in a decade with data from 347 organizations representing 404 social enterprises.

The full report goes beyond surface-level statistics to uncover the dynamic realities of social enterprise in Canada. It offers an analysis of the three primary growth constraints: market access, capacity building, and finance, and illustrates innovative solutions through case studies ranging from CleanStart Property Services‘ franchising expansion to CSCNL‘s social acquisition model. The report also provides recommendations for government, funders, and market actors to unlock support and opportunity for the sector.

See a snapshot of key data on our blog: https://www.buysocialcanada.com/posts/update/canadian-social-enterprise-sector-survey-2026-report-launches-soon/

Pictured: AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives. Photo by Garcia Creatives.

The Canadian Social Enterprise Sector Survey has been funded in part through the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. This research is also made possible thanks to the collaboration of sector organizations across the country. Buy Social Canada gratefully acknowledges the partners and contributors who help ensure broad, inclusive participation nationwide.

The Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet), Centre for Social Enterprise Development, Community Sector Council NL, Community Sector Network PEI, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale, Imagine Canada, Ontario Nonprofit Network, The Purposeful Group, Purppl, Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, Scale Collaborative, SETSI, Vantage Point

We're thrilled to welcome Social Enterprise Solutions as the newest Buy Social Canada Community Champion!Social Enterpri...
04/30/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Social Enterprise Solutions as the newest Buy Social Canada Community Champion!

Social Enterprise Solutions (SES) is a boutique consulting firm, based in Nova Scotia, that specializes in advancing the sustainability and impact of nonprofits and social enterprises. Founded by Andy Horsnell in 2018, the firm leverages his 30+ years of experience, working with 100s of organizations throughout North America and abroad.

Buy Social Canada Community Champions are the individuals and organizations that support a shared mission to grow the social value marketplace and social economy within their networks and communities. Learn more: https://www.buysocialcanada.com/directories/community-champions/

Welcome to the newest Buy Social Canada Certified Social Enterprise: Climate Action Partnership!Since 2000, Climate Acti...
04/28/2026

Welcome to the newest Buy Social Canada Certified Social Enterprise: Climate Action Partnership!

Since 2000, Climate Action Partnership has provided a range of consulting services for municipal, provincial, and federal governments, other government agencies, and private and non-profit sector clients. Services offered include the design and delivery of building energy retrofit programs, green development standards development, greenhouse gas inventories, climate action planning, micro-mobility planning, active transportation audits, and the provision of staff training, facilitation and engagement.

Find them and many other social enterprises in the directory on our website.

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910-1050 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
V6E4H1

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Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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