The preparatory work for the Summit, for each theme addressed, will commit to integrating the varied perspectives from different groups in society on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Whether we are talking here about historically marginalized people, people with disabilities, people with disabilities, people of color or youth, a differentiated perspective will be taken on all themes, proposals and recommendations in order to ensure that aspirations, innovative ideas or particular perspectives are integrated into the thinking process.

The social economy movement has undergone a remarkable evolution, diversifying and developing new aspirations that redefine its essence. Within this evolution, historical issues are re-emerging in new contexts.

However, a crucial question arises: how inclusive is this movement, responding to the concerns of all groups that make up Quebec society? The preparatory work for the Summit, for each theme addressed, will commit to integrating the varied perspectives from different groups in society on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion.

The social economy offers concrete solutions to the most pressing problems of municipalities.

Structuring policies and measures in the social economy are being put in place throughout Quebec in order to build the relationship between the public and the collective. How can these social economy policies and practices inspire more local governments to adopt measures that will facilitate the development of social economy enterprises and the solutions they offer?

Increasing the number of non-profit housing is, in many ways, the cornerstone of a sustainable exit from the housing crisis.

Beyond this issue in which the social economy must play a key role, several questions arise in terms of the protection of built heritage and land use planning. What financing tools need to be developed? What are the sustainable solutions for the protection of heritage? What alliances could increase the percentage of rental stock in the social economy?

Quebec is facing an aging population. The social economy has a key role to play, now and in the future, with solutions that focus on accessibility, quality and sustainability.

How to ensure a decent quality of life for seniors by focusing on the community taking care of their needs? How can we develop, in all regions, an offer of adequate, accessible and affordable services, such as transport and home care, to enable seniors to remain in their living environment longer?

Across Quebec, initiatives are being developed to respond to food insecurity and build food autonomy.

Whether through short circuits, more sustainable environmental practices, a reorganization of logistics or the model of land ownership and exploitation, the objective is to produce and consume in a more sustainable way. How can we think about food autonomy in a logic of territorial development? How to meet the needs of communities while taking into account economic and environmental realities?

Public administrations and governments pay huge amounts to manage the waste of citizens and businesses.

Collections, sorting centers and landfills involve major expenses. Across Quebec, an entire network of social economy enterprises in the management of residual materials is offering new ways to reduce the quantity of waste by focusing on source reduction, reuse and recycling. How to ensure innovative and socially profitable business models that are socially profitable as well as economically and environmentally viable?

The cultural environment is undergoing major upheavals, both in the production of cultural offerings and in the way culture is distributed and consumed.

Several strategies are being tested in order to increase access to a relevant and quality cultural and information offer: sharing of equipment and installations, sharing of data between theaters, etc. What collective initiatives should be supported in order to highlight and enhance the importance of culture in territorial vitality?

The shortage of labor leads to increased costs for all interventions, whether private, public or collective, delaying social progress.

This situation is particularly worrying when the sectors affected are those on which our social services are based or those that contribute significantly to local services and to the quality of life of Quebec communities, especially within collective enterprises. How can we value jobs in the social economy?

Knowing that a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec will close in the coming years due to lack of buyers, entrepreneurial succession is a major challenge for the economic and territorial vitality of Quebec.

One of the strategies to remedy this devitalization is that of collective entrepreneurship, in cooperative or NPO form. At the same time, collective entrepreneurship is considered, especially among young people, as a way of doing business in several sectors, particularly because of its social impact.