B.C.’s provincial government announced yesterday (Oct. 20) that it is considering legislative changes that would allow the creation of community interest companies. The province has started a consultation process that will wrap up at the end of the year.

Community interest companies (CICs) would be incorporated with all the flexibility and certainty of regular companies, but under legislation that ensures they primarily benefit the community. CICs would allow an alternative business model not currently available through a regular business whose primary focus is making money for shareholders, or a society which is not allowed to make a profit. – Ministry of Finance press release

Here are a few articles/citations about CICs (you must be an authenticated OC Library user to view)

Chew, C. (2010). Strategic positioning andorganizationaladaptationisocial enterprise subsidiaries of voluntary organizations. Public Management Review, 12(5), 609-634. doi:10.1080/14719031003633961 (citation and abstract only)

Coxon, A. (2009). 5 steps to…starting a community interest company (CIC). Regeneration & Renewal, 20. Retrieved from http://www.haymarket.com/regeneration_and_renewal/regeneration_and_renewal_magazine/default.aspx (view)

Ridley-Duff, R.  (2009). Co-operative social enterprises: company rules, access to finance and management practice. Social Enterprise Journal 5(1), 50-68.  Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=sej (view)