October 13-19 is Co-op Week across Canada

OTTAWA, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - If you have never shopped in a co-op store, banked at your local credit union or bought food produced by a farmers' co-op, now is the time to try it out!

October 13-19 is Co-op Week, a national celebration of Canada's 9,000 co-operative enterprises. It coincides with International Credit Union Day (October 17), which has been marked on the third Thursday in October since 1948. The week provides an opportunity for members and employees to highlight the contributions of co-operatives to Canadian society and to promote the co-operative business model to the broader community. Co-operatives all over the country are holding special activities during the week, including conferences, receptions, banquets, co-op tours, flag-raisings, employee events and even a co-op curling bonspiel.

The theme of Co-op Week 2013 is "A Better Way", positioning co-operatives as effective and sustainable alternatives to other business models. A recent Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) showed that Canadians believe co-operatives are much more likely than other types of businesses to support community values (81 per cent) , contribute to the local economy (78 per cent) and engage in socially responsible practices (76 per cent).

"Co-operatives have been an important player in the Canadian economy for more than 100 years, and are as relevant today as they ever have been," said Bill Dobson, president of CCA.  "They create jobs, keep wealth in local communities and are driven by such fundamental values and principles as democratic member control and concern for community."

Denis Richard, president of the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM), said:   "People often don't realize that co-ops are part of their daily life. Nearly one-quarter of the food on Canadian plates is produced by a co-op, and four co-operative organizations are among Canada's largest employers.  And all these enterprises aim to work for the future of our communities".

For more information on Co-op Week, go to http://s.coop/coopweek2013

Co-operatives in Canada

Canada's 9,000 co-operatives have more than 18 million members and 150,000 employees. They generate annual revenues of more than $50 billion and have assets of more than $370 billion. Canadian co-operatives are represented by two national associations, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité. (CCCM).

SOURCE Canadian Co-operative Association