October 16, 2013
Co-ops Flourish, Serve More Manitobans in Partnership with Province: Irvin-Ross
– – –Co-op Week Oct. 13 to 19 Celebrates Successes of Growing Sector
A growing number of Manitobans are turning to co-ops to serve their needs in everything from financial services to providing gas, food, hardware, the trades, music, art and even a home, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today in recognizing Oct. 13 to 19 as Co-op Week.
“The co-operative spirit Manitobans exhibit through credit unions, caisse populaires and a variety of co-op business ventures can be credited for the success of many social and economic developments throughout the province,” said Irvin-Ross. “The Manitoba government is proud to closely work with the co-operative community to support and bring awareness to the long lasting benefits of co-operatives.”
As part of the ongoing Co-operative Community Strategy, the minister said the province supports a number of important initiatives that foster and build upon the social and economic benefits that co-operatives provide. The strategy is co-ordinated by a partnership with the Manitoba Cooperative Association, the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités(CDEM) and the provincial government. Some of the initiatives under the Co-operative Community Strategy that were achieved this year include:
- the development of youth co-ops through support from Youth Services Cooperatives, co-ordinated by CDEM, to work with communities to develop opportunities for students ages 12 to 17;
- the development of the provincial Youth Caucus Jeunesse, a program that brings youth together to brainstorm ideas for developing youth-driven projects reflecting co-op values;
- a new website that allows co-operatives to more easily find resources and supports for education, promotion and development;
- the Co-op Housing Community Mobilizer Project which assists in the development of new housing co-operatives through research activity, policy analysis and hands-on work with community proponents;
- the Co-operative Research Fund which offers grants to stimulate, broaden and sustain the development of a socially and economically successful Manitoba co-operative community; and
- the inclusion of a chair in co-operative management at the University of Winnipeg, intended to foster learning and research to promote greater awareness and understanding of the importance of co-operatives throughout the province.
There are currently 361 non-financial co-operatives and 37 credit unions in the province extending services to 47 per cent of Manitobans through hundreds of branches and with combined assets of $22 billion. The co-op model has the advantage of bringing together specific expertise in different areas required for a strong business, the minister noted.
“Because co-operatives are organized by members with a common need, goal or ideal, members have a greater stake in the health of the organization, they have a high success rate and are more resilient to economic upheavals than other types of businesses,” Irvin-Ross said. “Co-ops also keep profits locally, thereby increasing the wealth of their communities.”
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