Browse our ideas, opinions and initiatives designed to unlock pathways to wealth and economic security for working people. Or, filter your search by Topic or Type by clicking the menu options on the left.

Canmore-Alberta-residential-street-with-mountains-in-background

Three ideas to make home ownership more affordable that aren’t getting the attention they need

Canadians are more vulnerable to Trump’s economic warfare today because our housing system is in crisis and has left many Canadians without affordable places to live. Some of our own bad policy choices have put us in this position of vulnerability. We've got three housing policy ideas we want the team at Missing Middle to look into.

Inside the corporate battle over your pet’s health | The Fifth Estate

SCP Fellow Rachel Wasserman speaks with CBC's Steven D'Souza as part of an investigation into the skyrocketing cost of owning a pet. The documentary reveals how independent vet clinics are being gobbled up by multinational corporations and private equity for profit.

Sorry we're closed in business window

Why small businesses need rent control

Rising rents are pushing mom-and-pop shops off Canada's streets. In Canadian Business, Aaron Binder and SCP Fellow Liliana Camacho from the Better Way Alliance argue new commercial tenant protections are the answer.

Optimizing the impact of Canada’s Small Business Financing Program

Social Capital Partners and Venture for Canada made a joint submission to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to amend the Canadian Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) to make it easier for would-be entrepreneurs to purchase existing businesses. Our recommendations to encourage more Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, or ETA, could help stop the decline in entrepreneurship, protect small businesses, keep wealth in Canadian communities and unleash more local, private-sector innovation.

Consultation on the future of competition policy in Canada

Canada’s existing competition regime is unfair for small business. We surveyed over 1,000 small business owners to understand how competition policy has affected them.

SCP_A-positive-vision-for-the-future-of-Canadian-competition-policy-cover

A positive vision for the future of Canadian competition policy

The concentration of corporate power in Canada can be traced back to the antiquated objectives of our nation’s competition policy. Our submission to the government’s review of the Competition Act provides sharp critiques and recommendations on a path forward.

Business-in-a-box concept paper

Small, independent businesses are the backbone of our economy. Unfortunately, they’ve become harder to start and struggle to compete with large chains. We’ve been inspired by owner-owned cooperatives that help small businesses thrive.

Rate drop rebate: final evaluation report

The story of the Rate Drop Rebate pilot, including key milestones, successes, dilemmas, insights and lessons learned. The Rate Drop Rebate was a unique partnership that brought SCP together with financial institutions, publicly funded employment service providers and the Government to reduce unfair barriers to employment and help grow the province’s small and mid-sized businesses.

Office with staff looking at a computer.

Ontario launches rate drop rebate in London

Ontario is launching an innovative partnership with financial institutions to help businesses in London grow and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and facing other barriers. Through the new Rate Drop Rebate program, small- and medium-sized businesses that hire eligible people can receive discounted rates on financial products, such as loans. The rebate is made possible through funding from Ontario's two-year, $4-million Community Loans Fund.

Ontario financial institutions and government join forces to boost local businesses and do good in communities

Rate Drop Rebate™ pilot is expected to significantly impact those facing barriers to employment include students with limited work experience, long-term unemployed, older unemployed, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and unemployed Indigenous persons. The program aims to generate up to 1,100 new employment opportunities.

Employees at a coffee shop

Ontario improving employment opportunities for people facing barriers

Ontario is partnering with leading financial institutions to build on Social Capital Partners existing loan program and create a fund aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people facing employment barriers.

Partnership council on employment oportunities for people with disabilities

The Partnership Council champions the hiring of people with disabilities and provides strategic advice to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure to enhance employment opportunities for Ontarians with disabilities.

Social Capital Partners and Ontario Government to begin consultations with Canadian financial institutions for a Community Loan Pilot Project

Social Capital Partners announces innovative collaboration with the Government of Ontario designed to explore a novel social finance approach that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.

a city street with businesses

Social Capital Partners’ collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment

Social Capital Partners collaborates with Ontario government’s Office of Social Enterprise to explore a pay-for-performance model that will increase access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, new Canadians and other traditionally disadvantaged groups.

Working together: Implementing a demand-led employment and training system

Canada’s approach to training and development needs reform. Billions of dollars are spent annually on job training and skills development, with limited evidence of lasting benefits. Most problematic, employers’ talent needs (i.e., actual skills demand) are not formally embedded in the process of determining how or where money is spent, leaving a fundamental disconnect between demand for skills and the investments being made by governments.

Fast Facts

Our fast facts

Our Work

View our work