BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Centre For Local Prosperity - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Centre For Local Prosperity
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Centre For Local Prosperity
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Halifax
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0300
TZNAME:ADT
DTSTART:20240310T060000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0300
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:AST
DTSTART:20241103T050000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0300
TZNAME:ADT
DTSTART:20250309T060000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0300
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:AST
DTSTART:20251102T050000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0300
TZNAME:ADT
DTSTART:20260308T060000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0300
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:AST
DTSTART:20261101T050000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0300
TZNAME:ADT
DTSTART:20270314T060000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0300
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:AST
DTSTART:20271107T050000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260107T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260423T180630
CREATED:20260107T133853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T174846Z
UID:6673-1767772800-1767805200@centreforlocalprosperity.ca
SUMMARY:Episode #9: Direct Democracy and Community Engagement: Using tools to help us build the relationships and practices we need to stay engaged and participate in our local communities.
DESCRIPTION:Episode #9: Direct Democracy and Community Engagement: Using tools to help us build the relationships and practices we need to stay engaged and participate in our local communities.  \nThursday\, Jan 29th from 12-1pm ADT.  \nDirect democracy and community engagement are urgent skills and practices we need today as trust in our institutions worsen and polarization grows. Many of us in Atlantic Canada struggle to engage in the decision making that shapes our lives\, and we need tools to enable us to connect across social and political divides to create meaningful change in our local communities. Town halls\, participatory engagement\, local community meetings\, and deep conversations at a local level are examples of the strategies to build local democracy. Episode 9 in our series welcomes three incredible speakers: Sera Thompson\, Robin Tress\, and KJ Conyers-Steede for a lively conversation about the tools and practices that foster engagement and participation in our local communities.  \nAndy Horsnell from the Centre for Local Prosperity will moderate and we will begin with an interview/panel discussion\, followed by a Q&A.  \nThis webinar series is by donation – our recommended donation is $10\, but any amount is appreciated! A Zoom link and calendar invitation will be sent after you register.  \nRegister (by donation) here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/webinar-9-direct-democracy-and-community-engagement \nSera Thompson – Social innovator and master facilitator creating movement around complex issues. \nSera Thompson is a settler of European descent living in Mi’kma’ki\, working to support deep shifts around social and environmental issues. A teacher and systems change facilitator\, her work is focused on building capacity for deep democracy and creating movement around stuck challenges in leaders\, organizations and communities. Her work creatively engages a diversity of players finding shared clarity and timely actions. She began her career in the complex field of Environmental Management\, weaving the needs of diverse players and balancing economic\, ecological and social sustainability. For the last 25 years she has successfully led change with dozens of organizations on five continents in the Public Sector\, Academia\, Nonprofit and Corporate sectors. \nRobin Tress – Organizer and leader building political power in the climate justice movement. \nRobin lives in Punamu’kwati’jk in Mi’kma’ki\, currently known as Dartmouth\, Nova Scotia. She was politicized by former PM Harper’s multiple assaults on democracy\, climate justice\, women’s rights\, and Indigenous peoples\, and has been fighting for a more fair and sustainable future ever since. She works in the climate justice movement and is focused on building the necessary political power to win a fossil fuel phase out in Atlantic Canada. She worked with Mi’kmaq water protectors in the fight to stop Alton Gas in Nova Scotia for several years\, and this deeply shaped her understanding and approach to solidarity\, relationship to land\, and social movement strategy. \nKjeld Mizpah (KJ) Conyers-Steede – Founder of Future Civics and strategist who focuses on rural and isolated jurisdictions. \nKjeld Mizpah (KJ) Conyers-Steede is a strategist who focuses on rural and isolated jurisdictions. He is dedicated to understanding how social finance can advance prosperity in small jurisdictions and rural communities. As the founder and CEO of Future Civics\, a research development organization based in Nova Scotia\, Kj focuses on mobilizing catalytic capital\, impact investing\, and blended finance to address affordability\, infrastructure gaps\, and community resilience. His work bridges government\, philanthropy\, and grassroots leadership to design practical financing tools such as community impact bonds and social innovation labs that enable local transitions in housing\, climate adaptation\, and economic development. Kj also serves as a policy advisor within the Government of Bermuda\, helping shape affordability frameworks\, cost-of-living legislation\, and supply chain reform.
URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/event/episode-9-direct-democracy-and-community-engagement-using-tools-to-help-us-build-the-relationships-and-practices-we-need-to-stay-engaged-and-participate-in-our-local-communities/
CATEGORIES:Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Webinar-Series-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20251129T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20251129T130000
DTSTAMP:20260423T180630
CREATED:20251125T165917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T165917Z
UID:6632-1764417600-1764421200@centreforlocalprosperity.ca
SUMMARY:Episode #8: Re-localize Investment: Connecting Investors with Local Projects through Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs).
DESCRIPTION:Episode #8: Re-localize Investment: Connecting Investors with Local Projects through Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs). \nThursday\, Nov 27th from 12-1pm ADT. \nCommunity Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs) are pools of capital raised by individuals in a community to invest in for-profit local projects. CEDIFs are often managed locally and are tools to re-localize investor money into communities to promote economic development.  Episode 8 in our series welcomes Marc Almon from Backr\, a project connecting investors who want to do good with their money\, with local business. Andy Horsnell from the Centre for Local Prosperity will moderate and give a CEDIF 101 introduction. Join us for a conversation on the potential for CEDIFs as a  community wealth building tool. \nWe will begin with an interview/panel discussion\, followed by a Q&A. \nThis webinar series is by donation – our recommended donation is $10\, but any amount is appreciated! A Zoom link and calendar invitation will be sent after you register. \nRegister (by donation) here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/webinar-8-re-localize-investment-connecting-investors-to-local-projects \nMarc Almon – Backr Ltd.\, Co-founder of Screen Nova Scotia\, and Co-founder of Culture Link CIC \, one of the first Community Interest Companies in Canada is a film & television producer\, arts advocate\, and social entrepreneur passionate about helping builders\, founders and creators succeed. In late 2025\, Marc will launch Backr\, Atlantic Canada’s first equity crowdfunding platform connecting investors to local projects through the CEDIF program. Marc’s mission is to champion change-makers who seek to engage\, inspire\, and achieve—whether through story\, structure\, or systems.  Marc is a recognized advocate for the creative industries. As the founding chair of Screen Nova Scotia\, his grassroots campaign to preserve the film and TV sector following cuts to the provincial tax credit in 2015 mobilized 6\,000 protestors\, generated 35\,000 petition signatures\, and attracted national media attention. These efforts resulted in the creation of a new animation tax credit and incentive fund\, preserving hundreds of jobs in Nova Scotia. Marc co-founded the Light House Arts Centre\, a 100\,000 sq. ft\, $14 million creative hub in downtown Halifax. In 2020\, Marc launched Impact Culture Capital CIC\, an alternative investment fund manager that connects Nova Scotian investors with local\, socially driven ventures. His latest feature\, THE EXECUTOR\, written and directed by Joe Cobden\, will debut in 2026. \nWebinar context: \nThe world is changing at an unprecedented pace\, leaving many individuals and communities with a sense of uncertainty\, and in many cases\, worry. How do we respond to this rapidly changing world? How do we strengthen our local agency and resilience\, socially\, economically\, and ecologically? In our current context of trade partner volatility and imposed tariffs that threaten to worsen the financial realities within our communities\, we want to shine a light on thriving examples of re-localization in our region! Re-localization is a concept and movement with an aim to become more self-reliant in our production and consumption (while reducing reliance on distant supply chains) in every category — from energy\, to food\, to finance/investment\, to climate solutions\, and beyond. \nThis series will be held on the last Thursday of each month and will explore examples of re-localization across Atlantic Canada. \nWatch previous episodes here: https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/our-projects/webinar-series-building-community-economic-resilience-through-relocalization/ \nSAVE THE DATES! Next webinar episodes: \n\nDecember – PAUSE\nJanuary 29 – Direct Democracy\nFebruary 26 – Transition Communities
URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/event/episode-8-re-localize-investment-connecting-investors-with-local-projects-through-community-economic-development-investment-funds-cedifs/
CATEGORIES:Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Webinar-8.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20251030T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20251030T140000
DTSTAMP:20260423T180630
CREATED:20251024T153711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T153711Z
UID:6451-1761829200-1761832800@centreforlocalprosperity.ca
SUMMARY:Episode #7: Local Procurement: How procurement strategies can benefit our communities and local economies.
DESCRIPTION:Webinar #7: Local Procurement: How procurement strategies can benefit our communities and local economies \nLocal procurement is when public institutions (eg. hospitals\, schools) prioritize local suppliers when procuring goods and services. If these large anchor institutions commit just a small percentage of their budgets to local procurement there are significant benefits for our local economies and community relationships. Episode 7 in our series welcomes Kimberley Murphy and Chaiti Seth for a conversation on the potential for local procurement for our communities. We will begin with an interview/panel discussion\, followed by a Q&A.  \nThis webinar series is by donation – our recommended donation is $10\, but any amount is appreciated! A Zoom link and calendar invitation will be sent after you register. \nRegister (by donation) here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/webinar-7-local-procurement \nKimberley Murphy – Manager of Procurement Engagement for Nova Scotia Government has worked in the Procurement division for the past 19 years. In her current role as Manager of Procurement Engagement\, she is responsible for the implementation of a Sustainable Procurement Strategy for the province as well as developing and delivering information on the policies and processes of public procurement for internal and external groups. Included in that group is the supplier community where Kimberley has focused much of her efforts to engage suppliers in the public procurement process. Kimberley is currently serving her 3rd term as president of the Canadian Public Procurement Council. \nChaiti Seth – Instructor with the Environmental & Sustainability Studies\, Acadia University is a mother\, farmer\, researcher\, and experiential educator from India currently living in Mi’kma’ki. She is an Instructor with the Environmental & Sustainability Studies program at Acadia University and learns\, writes\, and teaches about sustainability\, food systems\, transformative learning\, and the inner work and community practice of healing for equity and social change. She currently lives with her partner and children on a small farm on south mountain above Sikunme’katik (the Gaspereau river). \nWebinar context: \nThe world is changing at an unprecedented pace\, leaving many individuals and communities with a sense of uncertainty\, and in many cases\, worry. How do we respond to this rapidly changing world? How do we strengthen our local agency and resilience\, socially\, economically\, and ecologically? In our current context of trade partner volatility and imposed tariffs that threaten to worsen the financial realities within our communities\, we want to shine a light on thriving examples of re-localization in our region! \nRe-localization is a concept and movement with an aim to become more self-reliant in our production and consumption (while reducing reliance on distant supply chains) in every category — from energy\, to food\, to finance/investment\, to climate solutions\, and beyond. \nThis series will be held on the last Thursday of each month and will explore examples of re-localization across Atlantic Canada. \n 
URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/event/episode-7-local-procurement-how-procurement-strategies-can-benefit-our-communities-and-local-economies/
CATEGORIES:Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Webinar-7-Local-Procurement-Instagram-and-Linkedin.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20250925T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20250925T130000
DTSTAMP:20260423T180630
CREATED:20250911T170321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T170322Z
UID:6441-1758801600-1758805200@centreforlocalprosperity.ca
SUMMARY:Episode 6: Unlocking Farmers' Markets' Potential: Community\, Policy\, Food Sovereignty
DESCRIPTION:Webinar #6: Unlocking Farmers’ Markets’ Potential: Community\, Policy\, Food Sovereignty  \nMany of us are familiar with the general benefits of farmers’ markets: supporting local growers\, producers\, artists and crafters of all kinds\, injecting and retaining money in the local economy\, getting to connect with and form relationships with the people who grow our food\, and more. Episode six in our series welcomes local food advocates\, Suzanne Fournier and Justin Cantafio for a conversation that about the larger impacts that farmers’ markets have the potential to unlock\, and discusses ways to unlock them. We will begin with an interview/panel discussion\, followed by a Q&A. \nThis webinar series is by donation – our recommended donation is $10\, but any amount is appreciated! A Zoom link and calendar invitation will be sent after you register. \nRegister (by donation) here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/webinar-6-unlocking-farmers-markets-potential-community-policy-food-sovereignty \nSuzanne Fournier – Executive Director of the National Farmers Union New Brunswick (NFU-NB) is the Executive Director of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick\, a nonprofit accredited farm organization. The NFU-NB promotes policies that aim to revitalize agriculture in New Brunswick; on local\, national\, and international levels\, the NFU advocates alternative structures and government policies that resist corporate control of food. Suzanne studied Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa\, and has been working for the NFU-NB for 7 years. She lives in Western NB and is chronically ill. \nJustin Cantafio – Executive Director of Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) is a relocalization and food sovereignty advocate\, a nonprofit executive\, consultant\, speaker\, and Nuffield Scholar. He presently serves as the Executive Director of Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia\, a non-profit cooperative of over 40 farmers’ markets. He is the Co-founder and President of Canadian Farmers’ Markets\, Canada’s national farmers’ market association\, and a founding member of the UN FAO-funded World Farmers Markets Coalition. Justin is a founder and Director of the Halifax Regional Food Hub Co-operative and a founder and Director with the Atlantic Food Action Coalition. He also serves as an Advisor for the Centre for Local Prosperity\, a charitable organization specializing in relocalization. \nWebinar context: \nThe world is changing at an unprecedented pace\, leaving many individuals and communities with a sense of uncertainty\, and in many cases\, worry. How do we respond to this rapidly changing world? How do we strengthen our local agency and resilience\, socially\, economically\, and ecologically? In our current context of trade partner volatility and imposed tariffs that threaten to worsen the financial realities within our communities\, we want to shine a light on thriving examples of re-localization in our region! \nRe-localization is a concept and movement with an aim to become more self-reliant in our production and consumption (while reducing reliance on distant supply chains) in every category — from energy\, to food\, to finance/investment\, to climate solutions\, and beyond. \nThis series will be held on the last Thursday of each month from 12-1pm Atlantic and will explore examples of re-localization across Atlantic Canada.
URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/event/episode-6-unlocking-farmers-markets-potential-community-policy-food-sovereignty/
CATEGORIES:Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Webinar-2-FarmWorks-April-24-2-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20250626T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20250626T130000
DTSTAMP:20260423T180630
CREATED:20250602T175737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250630T195318Z
UID:6289-1750939200-1750942800@centreforlocalprosperity.ca
SUMMARY:Episode 4: Shifting to Local Energy Ownership
DESCRIPTION:Community owned energy projects are happening all across Atlantic Canada – episode 4 will feature a panel discussion/interview with Dylan Heide from the Town of Mahone Bay\, Gerald Giroux Gaudet from the City of Summerside\, Glen Fillmore from St. John Energy (all of which are members of the Maritime Municipal Electric Utilities Alliance (MMEUA)\, and Ray Robinson from Alternative Resource Energy Authority (AREA). Join us to learn about the importance of locally-owned and operated energy systems\, and a few of the ongoing projects across the region! We will begin with an interview/panel discussion\, followed by a Q&A. \nDylan Heide – Town of Mahone Bay \nDylan Heide is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Mahone Bay on Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore. He formerly served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Shelburne Nova Scotia. Dylan has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Dalhousie University. Having grown up in Mahone Bay and working in the municipal sector in Nova Scotia for nearly two decades\, Dylan has a passion for small communities and how they tackle big challenges with limited financial and human resources. Dylan also serves as Chair of the Atlantic Infrastructure Management Network. \nGerald Giroux – City of Summerside \nGerald Giroux is an experienced electrical engineer with a comprehensive career in various engineering roles since 1992\, recently at Summerside Electric since February 2018. Gerald currently serves as the Smart Grid Engineer for Summerside Electric and is responsible for providing technical sales support to customers of the City of Summerside\, serving as the municipal services customer operations supervisor\, managing the business origination\, sales\, installations\, and support for the City’s smart grid initiative. Work entails marketing and customer relations\, managing install teams for energy thermal storage systems\, developing programs for customer involvement\, developing new services for the smart grid\, managing the smart meter system\, managing the fibre communication system and overall project management of the smart grid systems. Previous experience includes Engineering roles at Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) focusing on wind turbine research and Digicon Building Control Solutions\, engineering for building automation and energy management. Gerald holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Science (Mathematics) from Dalhousie University. \nGlen Fillmore – St. John Energy \nBio coming soon. \nRay Robinson – Alternative Resource Energy Authority (AREA) \nRay Robinson\, P.Eng. is the President & CEO of AREA. He is an electrical engineer with a career of executive and management experience in electrical utilities throughout North American and the Caribbean\, with demonstrated capabilities in major infrastructure developments\, project management\, asset management and operational transformation. He has also served as a Board member of various organizations including Atlantica Centre for Energy\, Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance and Chair of Electricity Canada for several years. \nWebinar context: \nThe world is changing at an unprecedented pace\, leaving many individuals and communities with a sense of uncertainty\, and in many cases\, worry. How do we respond to this rapidly changing world? How do we strengthen our local agency and resilience\, socially\, economically\, and ecologically? With newly imposed tariffs that threaten to worsen the financial realities within our communities\, we want to shine a light on thriving examples of re-localization in our region! \nRe-localization is a concept and movement with an aim to become more self-reliant in our production and consumption (while reducing reliance on distant supply chains) in everything from energy\, to food\, to climate solutions\, and beyond. \nThis series will be held on the last Thursday of each month from 12-1pm Atlantic and will explore examples of re-localization across Atlantic Canada. \nSAVE THE DATES! Next webinar episodes: \n\nJuly 31 – Housing\nAugust 28 – Food Hubs\nSeptember 25 – Local Procurement\nOctober 30 – Theme TBD\n\n 
URL:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/event/episode-4-building-community-and-economic-resilience-through-relocalization/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Centre for Local Prosperity,Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/webinar4Instagram.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR