Posts by Brian Iler

Olivia for Mayor

October 23rd, 2014 by Brian Iler

I wholeheartedly support Olivia Chow for Mayor, and urge you to vote for her on Monday.

I’ve had the opportunity of working closely with Olivia for many years, and know how committed to social justice she is.

I also know how effective she can be.

She has earned our support.

John Tory is no progressive.

His refusal to be clear on his position on our waterfront is worrying

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Charities and the limits of political action under the Harper government

July 31st, 2014 by Brian Iler

Environmental Defence. PEN Canada. Amnesty International Canada. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Canada Without Poverty. The David Suzuki Foundation.

What do these organizations have in common — aside from all doing great work?

All are registered charities.

All have been publicly critical of Stephen Harper’s government.

And all are undergoing audits of their political activities by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

What’s this about? Here’s what you need to know.

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Why Canada needs more community power

April 25th, 2013 by Brian Iler

Given the scientific consensus that wind turbines are not dangerous to human health, as opponents have claimed, it is time to shift focus to a real issue: fixing wind energy policy to increase community power in Canada.

After extensive research and investigation, in Canada and globally, the consensus in the scientific community is that there is no direct causal link between wind turbines and adverse health effects. Scientists agree that the noise emitted by wind turbines ‑- the chief source of alleged health effects -‑ is basically indistinguishable from normal background sounds we experience in everyday life, whether we live in an urban or rural area.

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Non-profit law: ONN asked. Government listened

March 28th, 2013 by Brian Iler

Breaking news.

For some time now, Ontario Nonprofit Network has been highly critical of the as‑yet unproclaimed Ontario Not‑for‑profit Corporations Act. The Ontario Government hadn’t listened much.

Until now.

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The evolving world of social finance in Ontario

December 7th, 2012 by Brian Iler and Laura Bowman

Social enterprises can find it difficult to raise capital from community‑minded investors.  Even in the non “social enterprise” sector, most capital for small and startup enterprises is still raised from friends and family rather than banks, wealthy investors or other more traditional sources.

Continue reading “The evolving world of social finance in Ontario”

Report from international summit in Quebec City: ‘The Amazing Power of Co-operatives’

October 15th, 2012 by Brian Iler

Last week’s International Summit of Co-operatives(subtitled “The Amazing Power of Co-operatives”) was clearly designed to put the co-operative model front and centre on the world’s economic policy agenda. The Summit, held in Quebec City, did just that.

2012 is the UN-declared International Year of Co-operatives, and this conference was in many ways the Year’s marquee event — for the world.

For me, active for many years in Ontario co-ops, it was an opportunity to rub shoulders with an amazing and diverse group of committed co-operators. And to deeply savour the scope and potential the co-op model has.

As the catch-phrase for the Year says: “Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World.”

We heard many examples of just that.

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