Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
October 5, 2017

Provincial Government Signs New Partnership Agreement with Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives

Further commitment to the development of the co-operative sector in Newfoundland and Labrador was on display recently, as the Provincial Government and the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the NLFC annual general meeting in St. John’s.

The MOU renews a working relationship between both partners, focuses on the engagement of more department staff in co-op development, encourages opportunities for co-ops and credit unions to become more engaged in the development of new co-op initiatives in their communities, and places a greater emphasis on targeted research and opportunity identification in sectors with high potential for co-op development. The new MOU can be viewed at www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/regionaldev/cooperativedev.html.

For over 100 years, co-operatives throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have played an instrumental role in driving business and economic development while serving the needs of their members and communities. Today, there are more than 90 vibrant co-operative enterprises and credit unions throughout the province, employing more than 1,500 people. These co-ops and credit unions are owned by thousands of individual members in communities throughout all regions of the province.

The MOU signed between the Provincial Government and Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives honours another commitment from The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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“Our partnership with Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives is an important component of our overall economic development approach to create new opportunities for all residents. Co-ops exist in just about every segment of our economy and in all regions of our province, and we will continue to build on the solid relationship that has been forged between the Provincial Government and the NLFC.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“The previous two agreements were a commitment to building public knowledge and awareness regarding the benefits of the co-op business model and to support the growth and development of the co-op sector in the province. This partnership has exceeded our expectations for the growth and development of the province’s co-op sector, including new start-ups and support for existing co-ops. We are pleased to continue our innovative working relationship with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation.”
Glen Fitzpatrick
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives

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Gail Pike, Newfoundland-Labrador Federation Cooperatives President, joined by Minister Mitchelmore, signs MOU on behalf NLFC with Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Learn more
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives – www.nlfc.coop

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL

Media contact
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

2017 10 05                             4:00 p.m.