TORONTO, ONTARIO (May 3, 2016): Memorial University and the University of Toronto have been awarded $20,000 each in start-up capital to launch a social enterprise in Atlantic Canada by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud supporter McCain Foods Limited as part of the McCain Atlantic Canada Social Enterprise Project Partnership.
Enactus Memorial created a hydroponic system to address the overwhelming need for fresh and affordable produce in rural communities.
By reinventing McCain’s potato starch, the University of Toronto are able to create commercial biodegradable packing peanuts to reduce environmental footprint and employ people in Atlantic Canada.
The schools were announced as the award recipients on Tuesday, May 3 at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto.
Dirk Van de Put, CEO of McCain Foods Limited said: “We are so pleased to have forged a partnership with Enactus. By working together we have created a fantastic opportunity for social enterprise in Atlantic Canada, allowing us to give back a little to the place where it all began for McCain.”
The McCain Atlantic Canada Social Enterprise Project Partnership, new this year, is designed to empower Enactus teams with significant resources to identify, create and operate a social business for the benefit of Atlantic Canada.
“This innovative partnership uses the power of business for social good and encourages entrepreneurial solutions to this country’s economic issues,” said Nicole Almond, president of Enactus Canada. “Both Memorial University and the University of Toronto have much to be proud of today and we are pleased to share with Canada their progressive ideas which are sure to change communities and lives.”
The McCain Atlantic Canada Social Enterprise Project Partnerships were awarded at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition, where more than 1,500 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs came together to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.
For news throughout the year and competition results during the event, please visit @Enactus_Canada on Twitter.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country’s largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,650 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 288 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
Media inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Enactus Canada
jody@enactus.ca
(416) 346-0131
Meghan Edwards
North Strategic (for Enactus Canada)
Meghan.edwards@northstrategic.com
(416) 300-5720