Publications & Thought Leadership

“Promoting Purpose in Canadian Public Policy: Options for Governments in Canada to Accelerate Social Purpose in Business” is a report commissioned by the Federal Government on social purpose policy measures.

“Promoting Purpose in Canadian Public Policy” explores government reforms and policy measures to help support and incentivize businesses and entrepreneurs to adopt and implement a social purpose as the reason they exist. These reforms will help social purpose business thrive, flourish, and grow – and make Canada a great place to operate a social purpose business.

“Promoting Purpose in Canadian Public Policy” recognizes that the ecosystem that supports social purpose business in Canada is in its infancy and needs cultivating for social purpose business to become the new norm. Together, these policy measures create a package of reforms governments can pursue to create an enabling operating context for social purpose businesses to be the default approach to business in Canada. In so doing, policymakers can better align corporate behaviour with public interest and create allies for the work that lies ahead to build a sustainable future for Canadian communities and business.

The policy options in “Promoting Purpose in Canadian Public Policy” are designed to position Canada, provinces, and municipalities as international leaders in redefining the role of business in society.

The paper also provides a list of benefits governments will likely realize if they support the acceleration of social purpose business in their jurisdictions and beyond. By fostering social purpose in business in Canada, not only do businesses benefit, but communities and governments too.