VICTORIA - Homelessness. Unemployment. Isolation. How can B.C. bring new solutions to address these common, complex social challenges? The Government of British Columbia has proclaimed April 2014 as Social Enterprise Month to celebrate the expanding social enterprise sector and recognize its contribution to the strength and resiliency of B.C. communities.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae will present the proclamation tonight at the Social Enterprise Catalyst Gala event in Victoria, kicking off a series of events in British Columbia over the month of April.

Social enterprises differ from most traditional businesses in that profits are not just used to ensure financial viability, but are re-invested to achieve, sustain and further a social or environmental purpose.

Based on a 2011 survey, B.C. social enterprises provided services to nearly 700,000 people and generated at least $60 million in revenues. B.C. social enterprises provide valuable services, offer employment opportunities, involve volunteers, and train thousands of people each year.

British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in Canada to create the Community Contribution Company - a corporate entity recognized by people who want to use their purchasing dollars to support a positive social impact, and by investors who are interested in both a social and financial return. Since introducing the structure in 2013, a growing number of social innovators are using the corporate structure to bridge a gap between for-profit business and non-profit enterprise.

As an active member of the BC Partners for Social Impact, government works with leaders in the social innovation field to promote and support social innovation and social enterprise across the province. Through this kind of collaboration, government is able to accomplish far more than it would if acting alone.