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Four options

The Caisse d’économie solidaire just crossed the one

billion dollar mark. This reflects the vitality behind

Quebec’s social economy for which the Caisse is an

important player. Its strength comes from its ability to

be a meeting point for trade union, cooperative, asso-

ciative and cultural networks. Holding the title of main

financial institution in Quebec dedicated to the develo-

pment of social economy, the Caisse carries out finan-

cial arrangements for its members, supports unions

during drawn out struggles, offers expert advice in

socially responsible investment and supports socially

innovative initiatives. The Caisse d’économie solidaire is

able to perform these varied tasks thanks to the depo-

sits of individuals and organizations who have chosen

to do business with them.

On the following pages, we have presented some of

the collective accomplishments, solidarity interven-

tions and innovative practices to which the Caisse is

committed. As the first Brundtland Partner Institution

in the financial services sector, the Caisse d’économie

solidaire proposes to measure wealth by means of

our organization’s four options: community life, the

environment, solidarity and democracy.

These four options make up both the departure point

from which our first impulses to take action spring

as well as the destination we dream about and are

committed to reaching.

With this vision in mind, our projects remain full of

promise and solidarity, thus enabling us to exit the busi-

ness model of the past which has unwittingly led to the

devastating crises we see in the world around us.

Gérald Larose

President

Paul Ouellet

General Coordinator

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THATBRINGS US TOGETHER

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Coopérative funéraire de l’Île de Montréal

The Coopérative funéraire de l’Île de Montréal (CEFIM) is the youngest of 27 funeral cooperatives operating in the province of Quebec. It is the first to open its doors on the island of Montreal and has the structure to launch other such endeavours in the metropolitan area.

The Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins contributed towards half of the CEFIM’s financial needs. The Caisse worked alongside part ners involved in shaping social and local development including: the Corporation de développement de l’Est (CDEST), the Fédération des cooperatives funéraires du Québec (FCFQ), the Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale, the Fonds d’inves-tissement local et d’approvisionnement des fonds com-munautaires Filaction, Investissement Québec and the Réseau d’investissement social du Québec (RISQ).

The FCFQ has over 100 points of service and is the largest network in its field. Over the years, it has enabled Quebecers to meet their funeral needs though a significant share of the market was domi-nated by interests outside the province.

fcfq.qc.ca/coops/montreal.htm

Some ot the financial partners of the CEFIM. From left to right: Paul Ouellet (Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins), Joël Lebossé (Filaction), Claudette Girard (Investissement Québec), Martin Bourret (RISQ), Bernard Giroux (CFIM), Bernard Ndour (Caisse d’économie solidaire), Rachad Lawini (CDEST), Colin Bérubé (Filaction), Claudine Robitaille (Caisse d’économie solidaire), Gilles Chevrère (Investissement Québec).

COmmUNITyLIFEThe Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins acknowledges that a society based upon fairness and solidarity is held together by mutual respect and acceptance. Access to food, housing, health, education and culture is a fundamental right of every human being. Our actions and passion are guided by people and projects geared towards social transformation.

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The ESSOR Fund

The Essor Fund is a Quebec City regional fund whose goal is to give access to credit, support and services tailored to artists and artisans alike. It is geared towards helping a new generation carve out a place for themselves.

Essor offers complementary funding to existing programs in order to support such projects as the launching of a business; the development of accoun-ting, management or communication tools; the crea-tion of new markets and partnerships; exploring new materials and technologies; participation in public performances, fairs and exhibits and training by high calibre teachers from both here and abroad.

The Caisse d’économie solidaire has joined forces with the Centre local de développement de Québec, the Conseil de la Culture for the Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, the Fonds d’emprunt économi-que communautaire (Québec), the Société de déve-loppement des entreprises culturelles, the École de joaillerie de Québec and the Maison des métiers d’art de Québec, to support the Essor Fund.

The Quebec City region has about 300 professional artisans. The Fund’s partners hope to support a dozen projects per year.

web.fonds-emprunt.qc.ca/node/179

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The Onondaga Project At the Pointe-au-Père maritime historic site, 10 kilo-meters east of Rimouski, the Onondaga submarine explores the lifestyle of submarine crew members confined within a 90 meter ship for months. Once aboard, we learn about navigational instruments and sound technology linking the crew to the outside world.

Founded in 1980, the Pointe-au-Père maritime his-toric site (formerly known as the Museum of the Sea) also presents the history of the little-known Empress of Ireland passenger ship. Visitors discover a large collection of objects from the wreck, period photos and interactive terminals.

Since the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse played a central role in the history of navigation along the St. Lawrence River, its importance is also highlighted at the mari-time historic site.

The Caisse d’économie solidaire helped fund ope-rations to hoist the 1 400 ton Onondaga submarine onto shore as well as revamp the visitors’ center.

Opened to the public in June 2009, the submarine museum has already welcomed 92 000 visitors. The Lower St. Lawrence ivs the only region in Canada where it is possible to visit a submarine.

shmp.qc.ca/onondaga/projet/index.php

ECOLOGyAt the Caisse, we see water, air, nature, biodi-versity and the human genome as inalienable. We are committed to the development of a fair, humane and ecologically sound economy. We propose to change the commonly held view towards money, consumption and produc-tion in support of favorable activities so as to preserve our world for future generations.

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The Godefroy-Laviolette Foundation

The Godefroy-Laviolette Foundation is one of Quebec’s social inclusion pioneers and oversees three outstan-ding companies which are, in reality, training works-hops. First on the list is Recypro, a Lachute based company with ISO 1401 certification in Environmental Management, which recycles and refurbishes com-puter systems. The Eclipse workshop in St-Jerome specializes in clothing made from recycled materials. Finally, Palettes FGL of Blainville manufactures sin-gle-use wood pallets for export and recycled pallets for the Quebec market.

Within these companies, 25 employees oversee 150 high school dropouts every year. After six months of training, these young people are well equipped to join the work force.

In 2009, the Caisse d’économie solidaire was pleased to have participated in the revival of these three tech-nical schools involved in recycling. Our partners in this endeavour were Emploi-Québec, the local CLD, Investissement Québec, the Réseau de l’investisse-ment social du Québec (RISQ) and the Caisse populaire Desjardins Saint-Antoine-des-Laurentides along with its Business Financing Center.

palettesfgl.org/entreprise_godefroy_laviolette.html

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La Ressourcerie de Lac-Saint-Charles

The Caisse d’économie solidaire is proud to fund the expansion of the Ressourcerie de Lac St-Charles in the amount of $425 000. The launch will take place in the spring of 2010.

For the past 15 years, this environmental-based social enterprise has collected, revamped and sold surplus domestic items donated by the community. Books, appliances, clothing, sporting goods and even recycled paint are part of its inventory. It is best known, however, for its one of a kind costumes and disguises made from used clothing thavt would othe-rwise remain unsold. By adding value to these items, sustainable development is implemented.

La Ressourcerie de Lac St-Charles also offers trou-bleshooting for people facing difficult circumstances and contributes towards international aid projects, mainly in Guatemala and Burkina Faso.

Learn more about this great place to both buy and donate items by logging onto:

ressourcerielsc.org

La Coop de l’Arbre

In 2008, La Coop de l’Arbre was the regional winner of the Concours québécois en entrepreneuriat in the social economy category. This solidarity coopera-tive offers professional services in urban fores-try (arboriculture) and ethical products from ecoforestry practiced by its members, located for the most part in the Charlevoix region.

Working in the Québec City, Lévis and Charlevoix area, the Coop serves both homes and businesses. Its height work specialists care for, prune and when necessary, fell trees. They offer treescaping advice and encourage the planting of trees in urban and suburban areas. Furthermore, the Coop manufac-tures a wide range of indoor and outdoor furniture. Benches, tables, planters, interpretation panels, cache trash cans etc. can all be custom designed.

Wood is harvested while taking into considera-tion soil and biodiversity conservation using light machinery and animal traction. Assembly pro-cedures then follow traditional methods. The high-quality end product provides traceability and regional added-value environmental and social awareness. Activities and workshops supporting environmental issues are held at the eco-frien-dly Habitat 07 house in Baie-Saint-Paul, whose management is shared by the municipality and the Cooperative.

La Coop de l’Arbre has received financial assistance from the Caisse d’économie solidaire, in partnership with the CLD of Charlevoix and Charlevoix-East, the Cercles d’emprunt de Charlevoix and the Coopérative de développement regional Québec-Appalaches.

coopdelarbre.org

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SOLIDARITyThe Caisse places solidarity at the epicenter of its together-in-action mentality which is the driving force behind the search for the good of all mankind. Through our collective capability of generating resources and our link to important social movements, we believe solidarity will serve in creating a more democratic, more just and more equal society both here and abroad.

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Herstreet

For the past 15 years, Herstreet has been commit-ted to its mission of helping homeless women and women in difficulty. We are proud to count this community-based organization as a member of the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins.

The heart and soul of Herstreet can be found in Leonie Couture, winner of the 2009 Persillier-Lachappelle excellence award from Santé et Services sociaux Québec. Profoundly committed to social justice and armed with unparalleled determination, this admi-nistrative graduate started out by renting a small space for $80 a month with the intent on offering shelter to homeless women. Her goal was to help women recover from homelessness, health issues and be able to resume their lives within society. Today, Herstreet’s spacious Olga House in down-town Montreal welcomes 400 women a year. With an annual budget of 1.5 million dollars, support is provided by forty employees and social workers as well as sixty volunteers. The day center provides food, clothing, counselling and therapy. Olga House is also home to twenty long-term residents who are welcome to stay for months or even years. Yet others live in the transitional housing units of Centre Dahlia, also owned and operated by Herstreet which provides these women with tools and reference points helping them regain their foo-ting and move toward greater autonomy.

laruedesfemmes.com

Lise Thériault, Léonie Couture and Yves Bolduc

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Un Foyer pour Toi Un Foyer pour Toi is the only rehabilitation center in the Laval area and one of the few to be certified by the Department of Health and Social Services of Quebec.

In 2009, Un Foyer pour Toi welcomed 767 people ages 18 and older who were struggling with drug, alcohol or gaming addictions. Most come of their own free will but many are referred by community organiza-tions such as Centre le Maillon, the police, a local CLSC or the Palais de Justice.

Residents come from Laval, Montreal, Montérégie and the Laurentians for a 15 day inpatient treatment program. A team of professionals trained in different approaches ensures a nurturing psychological and social framework. One doctor and two nurses pro-vide three-day a week medical monitoring. The Caisse d’économie solidaire has greatly contribu-ted towards the purchase and renovation of an old church in the Pont-Viau district enabling Un Foyer pour Toi to relocate. The Agence de la santé et des ser-vices sociaux de Laval, the local CLD, Investissement Québec and the Réseau d’investissement social du Québec (RISQ) have also contributed towards this endeavour.

In 15 years of operation, Un Foyer pour Toi has helped over 11 000 people overcome their addiction.

www.foyerpourtoi.org

Christmas solidarity Market

It is possible to turn the tide through trade and rela-tionships. With this in mind, the Caisse d’économie solidaire offers members the chance to shop at a Christmas solidarity Market.

In addition to financing import of fair trade products to Quebec, the Caisse helps member companies encourage responsible consumerism. The more we are aware of the importance of this gesture, the more we are aware of all things fair. When we know where products originate and where profits go, a snowball effect is achieved in sales.

The Caisse d’économie solidaire is currently associa-ted with 17 member organizations. Where do these fair trade products originate? In terms of sales volume, the leader is Latin America. However, since the beginning of the decade, we have branched out to include Asia and Africa as well.

caissesolidaire.coop/agora/marchesolidaire

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DeMOcRAcyThe Caisse considers the world, our societies, our workplace and organizations as projects to be built together based on the belief that we should all have a say in our personal and collective development. This option determines the internal functioning of the Caisse as well as its relationship with its partners.

New retirement savings plan for community groups and women’s groups In Quebec, thousands of people working with com-munity groups are unable to take advantage of employer pension plans. If the situation was left unchanged, these workers would end up destitute upon retirement. However, a long-awaited initia-tive has been launched by the Quebec community movement, creating a supplemental pension plan for its workers, guaranteeing income security and dignity at retirement.

To ensure continued growth, the Community and Women’s Groups Member Funded Pension Plan enjoys financial backing from the Caisse d’écono-mie solidaire. The Caisse thus contributes towards building a fairer Quebec by enhancing the sustaina-bility of group action.

regimeretraite.ca

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Signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) have been developed through a global initiative sup-ported by the United Nations. They won the support of institutional investors including large pension funds.

The Caisse d’économie solidaire became signatory to the PRI because it wanted to strengthen its mission and empower its members’ funds. Through this ini-tiative, it committed to publicize the growing socially responsible investment movement. As we all know, environmental and social criteria as well as good governance are regarded as essential values to sustainable development.

Through its services and conferences, the Caisse informs its members about socially responsible investment products available to them. We believe the more people learn about the Principles for Responsible Investment and its operations and results, the better equipped they will be to make choices allowing them to invest while all the while protecting the planet and its inhabitants.

unpri.org/principles/french.php

Financial Planning for Retirement

According to the Question Retraite agency, 66% of wor-kers have a pension plan and only 1 in 6 Quebecers aged 25 to 44 years has an action plan for retirement.

Collective RRSPs and Quebec’s simplified Pension Plan (RRQ) are two tools allowing organizations and businesses to encourage employees’ savings even if they are of limited resources. In 2009, the Caisse helped six collective enterprises implement these pension plans. Équiterre and Les Violons du Roy employees decided to contribute towards a collective RRSP because of the attractiveness of the plan.

Whether collective or simplified, RRSPs and pen-sion plans offer subsidized interest for investment products with fixed rates. Moreover, since contribu-tions are deducted from gross wages, participants enjoy an immediate tax cut. Each pay day, they can thus use the money they saved to increase their contribution without reducing their net income.

Pension plans are an excellent way for employers to demonstrate their social engagement, allowing them to help employees ensure a decent standard of living at retirement.

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Nunavik Service Centre

155 East, Charest Blvd., Suite 500

Québec (QC) G1K 3G6

Phone 418.647.1527

Fax 418.647.2051

Toll free 1.877.647.1527

www.nunavikfinancialservices.coop

Québec Service Centre

155 East, Charest Blvd., Suite 500

Québec (QC) G1K 3G6

Phone 418 647.1527

Fax 418 647.2051

Toll free 1 877 647.1527

Montréal Service Centre

2175 East, de Maisonneuve Blvd., Suite 150

Montreal (QC) H2K 4S3

Phone 514 598.2122

Fax 514 598.2496

Toll free 1 877 598.2122

Lanaudière Service Centre

190, Montcalm Street

Joliette (QC) J6E 5G4

Phone 450 753.7055

Fax 450 752.5589

Toll free 1 866 753.7055

www.caissesolidaire.coop

We Care For Our ForestsThis document was printed on 100% post consumer paper from the Quebec urban forest, thus reducing our ecological footprint by 0,1 tree, 6 kilos of solid waste, 579 liters of water (equivalent to a shower lasting 1 hour) and 14 kilos of air emissions. Graphic concept by Brunel Design.