Thanks.
The government and the non-profit sectors are necessary but insufficient to address society's greatest environmental challenges. We envision a robust sector of the economy that harnesses the power in private enterprise to create public benefit. This sector comprises corporations that are purpose driven, and it creates benefits for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. An environment that protects, connects, and sustains us requires that we, the public and private sectors, act with the understanding that we are dependent upon one another and thus responsible to each other and future generations.
We believe that the Government of Canada has an opportunity to help environmental charities like Credit Valley Conservation and the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to attract investment from the private sector. As more companies move towards strategic giving that aligns with their corporate values and provides strategic market advantage, environmental charities need better ways to position our value and our cause.
That said, we appreciate that there is some reticence or anxiety within the not-for-profit sector in partnering with corporate interests. However, we believe this barrier can be reduced with the assistance of the Government of Canada. With your indulgence, I'd like to make two recommendations for you: one, promoting and highlighting the value of private sector investment in environmental charities by showcasing the success stories and commitments of private sector champions; and two, creating opportunities for education or training, as many business schools have yet to develop a comprehensive curriculum on community contributions and creating shared value, and there is limited opportunity for practical training in Canada.
We thank you for allowing us this opportunity to speak to the committee today and extend our thanks to the Government of Canada for investing in environmental initiatives carried out by Credit Valley Conservation.