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!

The Regional Municipality of Niagara has partnered with community agencies across Niagara to promote the Canada Learning Bond and sign up eligible families.  “The support and participation has been remarkable,” says Adrienne Jugley, Commissioner of Community Services with Niagara Region.  “Staff across the Region along with our partners in the non-profit sector really responded to this opportunity to spread the word about the CLB and help sign kids up.”

The Region’s campaign has included staff training and awareness, social media promotion, and a post-card that provided helpful RESP and CLB information.  A key to success, however, has been partnering with numerous community organizations to reach clients and families with eligible children across Niagara.  Over 30,000 of the post-cards have been distributed.  The strategy has generated a large number of new CLB applications.  

By Judy Sobchak, Community Engagement Coordinator.

For more information about the initiative, please contact Judy.