Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
October 17, 2016

Supporting Economic

Provincial Government Celebrates Co-Op Week

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development has proclaimed October 16 to 22, Co-Op Week across Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions co-operatives make to our province's economy.

"Co-operatives are incredibly valuable for economic activity and delivering key services in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. They help businesses and individuals come together to create new opportunities and fulfill market demands. I commend co-operatives for their contribution to our province's economy and wish them more success in the future."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Co-operatives throughout the province are an integral part of community and economic development. There are currently more than 90 co-operatives operating throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, allowing people to live in housing co-operatives, purchase food and clothing at retail co-operatives, conduct banking at credit unions, and secure insurance from insurance co-operatives.

The Provincial Government is committed to helping co-operatives succeed and invested $100,000 in 2016-17 in the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-Operatives (NLFC) to ensure it can support the sector, deliver co-op development capacity sessions, and identify new opportunities.

"The NLFC is honoured to have the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development support co-ops and increase the awareness of what they mean for Newfoundland and Labrador. By partnering with the department, we're confident we can create new development projects, support credit union partnerships to enhance business success, and enhance engagement of the co-op sector in the community development process."
- Glen Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives

The partnership between the department and NLFC includes officials working in rural communities to advance and promote regional development. By working together, new co-operatives have recently formed, including child care co-ops in western Labrador and Port aux Basques, a farmer's market in Corner Brook, and a yoga co-op and a consulting services co-op in St. John's.

QUICK FACTS

• October 16-22 has been proclaimed as Co-op Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Co-operatives create new opportunities for employment and sustainability in regions and help business and individuals connect to create new opportunities.
• The Provincial Government invested $100,000 in the NLFC in 2016-17 to support the sector and deliver co-op development capacity building sessions.

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2016 10 17           1:45 p.m.