Report on BC Social Enterprises

A survey of over fifty BC based social enterprises and case studies of six were completed this past semester by the students of Simon Fraser University's SCD 403. Enp thanks Dr. Peter Hall the instructor, and the great effort and work of the students. The full report is available in our resources section.

The study reveals much about the diversity and strength of this emerging sector in British Columbia. Although they are concentrated in the Lower Mainland, social enterprises are active in all regions of the Province of BC. Social enterprises are highly networked: more than half have partnerships with other social enterprises, cooperatives and non‐profits, governments, community groups, and educational institutions. In 2008, the surveyed social enterprises alone: employed 860 people in full‐ and part‐time positions, of which at least 660 people were from identified demographic groups in need and generated at least $90m in revenue and paid at least $8.4m in wages and salaries. Four‐fifths of social enterprises broke even or were profitable.