Smartsaver Community

The Canada Learning Bond Champions’ Network annual meeting brought together a diverse group of participants for an energizing day of learning, collaborating, and sharing. The event, organized by the Canada Education Savings Program included community, government and financial institution representatives from across Canada. Discussions included 2015 activity evaluation, communications and governance updates and brainstorming sessions, all with the goal of further strengthening awareness, understanding and participation in the Canada Learning Bond.

Several Champions presented their CLB efforts, including:

• Althea Arsenault, Manager of Resource Development for the New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC) who shared the results of their cheque insert blitz with income support offices throughout the province and other promotions through the Inclusion Network and government departments;
• Diane Tan who presented the County of Wellington’s new Policy and Procedure that integrates the Canada Learning Bond directly into the Ontario Works of Guelph Wellington intake process; and
• Nicole McDonald, Program Director, Indigenous Initiatives, at the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation who updated the Network on the Foundation’s partnership with the National Association of Friendship Circles and others to increase CLB take-up in Indigenous communities throughout Canada.

The Network will continue to collaborate over the coming year, particularly toward National Education Savings Week, November 20-26, 2016.

Watch this blog for more updates as these and many other CLB promoters share their stories with us!