ownership. On the left side ownership is by public authorities, and on the right side it is private industry. "Private industry" encompasses all economic activity with the capital of one (or many) private owners, with a view to making a profit for personal benefit. The owners supply financial capital and bear any risk. "Public authorities" encompass all economic activity in which public authorities possess the capital at the national, federal, regional or local level; this includes nationalised and public industries. Vertical axis On the vertical axis each enterprise or organisation is categorized by its primary objective, from "social purpose" at the top to "commercial purpose" at the bottom. Social purpose is the primary objective of the enterprise if it meets the following criteria: Ethical concept: Core definition Mission (key identification): The enterprise's primary objective is to improve the lives of disadvantaged people, provide support, advance social cohesion or improve the environment. Social economic creation of value and appropriation of earnings (qualitative key identification): Profits and/or resources are verifiably reinvested for the benefit of disadvantaged people. If these criteria are met, an organisation is at the top of the vertical axis. One criterion is a descriptive feature: Intermediary function: Social economical enterprises and organisations have an intermediary function (between public and private). If none of the above criteria are met, or the primary object of the enterprise is commercial, it is located at the bottom of the vertical axis. Between social and commercial purposes If the above criteria are partially met, the enterprise is located along the vertical axis according to its self-definition. International comparisons Canada The definition of Social Economy used by the Chantier de l'économie sociale in Quebec follows: The Social Economy is made up of association-based economic activities founded on values of: Service to members or the community rather than only generating profits and seeking financial returns; Autonomous management (not government controlled); Democratic decision making; Primacy of persons and work over capital; Based on principles of participation, empowerment and individual and collective responsibility. The Social Economy includes: social assets (housing, childcare centres, etc.) of community organizations; social enterprises including co- operatives and revenue-generating programs of non profit groups; credit unions and social financing organizations like community loan funds; training and skills development enterprises; and sectoral and regional organizations e.g. renewal energy associations. The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) is a national member-led organization committed to strengthening Canadian