McConnell Foundation

We are pleased to share McConnell at a Glance to provide a brief overview of our work and the evolution of our strategic vision. https://ow.ly/an4l50QfHIk In recent years, McConnell has renewed its vision and mission, shifted our funding work to Communities, Reconciliation and Climate focus areas and announced a commitment to 100% impact investing.

« Je me rappelle que, même quand le poids du monde semble insupportable, une lueur peut toujours traverser l’obscurité. Avec tout ce que nous avons affronté cette année, je suis convaincue que le besoin de compassion et de collaboration n’a jamais été aussi évident. C’est dans ces espaces de compassion et de collaboration que j’ai trouvé le plus de sens en 2024. » Un message de fin d'année de notre présidente-directrice générale, Jane Rabinowicz, sur la résilience, la connexion et le pouvoir de la communauté. https://lnkd.in/exFZCJyW

"When the weight of the world feels heaviest, light can find its way through the darkness. With all we have faced this year, I believe the need for compassion and collaboration has never been clearer. It is in the spaces of compassion and collaboration that I found the most meaning in 2024." A holiday message from our CEO, Jane Rabinowicz, about resilience, connection, and the power of community. https://lnkd.in/eNUVaxZk

🌎 New IRPP Study Alert! 🌎 How do emissions pricing policies, like the federal fuel charge or B.C.’s carbon tax, impact households across Canada? In this new study, University of Calgary economists Trevor Tombe and Jennifer Winter delve into the effects of these policies. Here’s a key finding: Emissions pricing has had minimal impact on inflation. Since 2019, these policies have contributed less than 0.5% to overall increase in consumer prices — a small fraction of the 19% rise in prices over the same period. Most of the price increases Canadians have experienced are due to global factors, like surging energy prices and supply chain disruptions, but the authors note that governments should better understand and communicate differences in emission pricing impacts across household types. Dive into this insightful research to learn more about the real drivers of inflation and the role of emissions pricing in Canada. 📚 Read the full study: https://irpp.org/?p=19784

Félicitations à Jane Rabinowicz pour sa nomination à titre d’administratrice du conseil d’administration de la Fondation canadienne des relations raciales pour un mandat de quatre ans. https://lnkd.in/exYPSnmR ////// Congratulations to Jane Rabinowicz on her appointment as a director on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation for a term of four years. https://lnkd.in/em56TVnx

📢 The 2024 Canadian Energy Efficiency Scorecard: Provinces and Territories is out now! This report measures provincial and territorial progress on energy efficiency programming using 45 metrics across energy efficiency policies and programs, buildings, transportation, and industry. This year, British Columbia stays in the top spot with Québec and Prince Edward Island tied for second place. Our research also shows that energy savings in 2023 increased by 25% over 2022. Authored by Alyssa Nippard, Carol Maas, Matthew Wu, James Gaede and Brendan Haley. See where your province/territory ranks: https://lnkd.in/g_BhreuP #EnergyEfficiency #EnergyPolicy #NetZero #EnergyManagement

On #WorldSustainableTransportDay, let's talk about a challenge facing over four million Canadians: transportation in rural and remote communities. Here are three major problems - and their solutions: ⚠️ Problem 1: Transportation Poverty  Many rural residents - especially seniors, young people, and those who can't afford cars - are literally stranded. Less than 2% of rural commuters can use public transit, and some remote communities are only reachable by chartered planes or seasonal ferries. Solution: Create a new national transportation vision that puts rural needs first, bringing together federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments to build better connections. 🚫 Problem 2: Gaps in Service  The closure of vital bus routes has left huge gaps in our transportation network. Many communities that used to be connected now stand isolated, with no reliable way to reach essential services. Solution: Strengthen VIA Rail's role as our national connector, with better coverage, more frequent service, and affordable fares. Support provincial and Indigenous-led transportation initiatives to fill the gaps. 💰 Problem 3: Limited Funding Model  While we have a Rural Transit Solutions Fund, it can't cover basic operating costs like paying drivers or leasing vehicles. Without covering these essentials, many great transportation ideas never get off the ground. Solution: Expand the fund to cover real-world operating costs and support travel between communities. Let's make sure good ideas can keep running! Want to learn more? Check out our report Rural Recognition: Affordable and Safe Transportation Options for Remote Communities. What transportation challenges do you see in your community? Share below! #SustainableTransport #RuralTransit #TransportEquity #PublicTransit

Félicitations à la Fondation Trottier et aux autres organisations incroyables qui se joignent à elle pour prendre un engagement fort en matière d'action climatique. Avec un engagement collectif de 405 millions de dollars provenant de neuf familles et fondations canadiennes, dont la TFF, la Peter Gilgan Foundation, la Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, la Chisholm Thomson Family Foundation, David Keith et Kirsten Anderson, la Sitka Foundation, la Vohra Miller Foundation, Allan Shiff et la Ivey Foundation, cet effort philanthropique constitue le plus important engagement de l'histoire du Canada en faveur de solutions climatiques. Une mention spéciale au Clean Economy Fund pour avoir joué un rôle clé dans cette initiative et pour avoir inspiré davantage de partenaires à privilégier la transition vers l’énergie propre dans leurs dons. Lire la suite : https://lnkd.in/ejP3dzYT

Congratulations to the Trottier Family Foundation and the other incredible organizations joining them in making a historic commitment to climate action. With an unprecedented $405M collective pledge from nine Canadian families and foundations, including TFF, the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, the Chisholm Thomson Family Foundation, David Keith and Kirsten Anderson, the Sitka Foundation, the Vohra Miller Foundation, Allan Shiff, and the Ivey Foundation, this philanthropic effort is the largest in Canadian history focused on climate solutions. A special congratulations to the Clean Economy Fund for being a catalyst for these contributions and inspiring more funders to prioritize the clean energy transition in their giving. Read more: https://lnkd.in/egtMN7n2

Last week, the McConnell team had the opportunity to take a walking tour of Kahnawà:ke and visit our partners at the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Center. It was a valuable chance to learn about the community’s history, the efforts to preserve its heritage, and the important work being done to promote cultural awareness. One of the highlights of our visit was learning more about one of Kahnawà:ke's language revitalization initiatives for children: the Mohawk Muppet show, Tóta tánon Ohkwá. This unique performance blends traditional Mohawk storytelling with puppetry, offering an engaging way to connect young audiences with the culture and the rich history of the Kanien’kehá people. We’re grateful for the opportunity to deepen our understanding of meaningful initiatives like this one. A big thanks to our two amazing guides from Kahnawà:ke Tourism for the tour, and to Lisa Phillips from the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Center!