Ontario co-operatives feeling optimistic after successful MPP reception at Queen’s Park

Article provided by Audrey Aczel, Ontario Co-operative Association communications and events manager.

MPP Daiene Vernile (Kitchener-Centre) takes a moment to learn more about
FS Stewardship programs with Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK
executive director, Ontario operations and Janice Johnson, GROWMARK
marketing and communication specialist and Ontario Co-operative
Association chair. 

Close to seventy individuals representing 36 co-operative organizations gathered at Queen’s Park last week, to help raise the profile of Ontario co-operatives to the provincial government. The event was a great success, with 46 government officials from across the three major parties in attendance, including 14 Ministers, 24 MPPs and a number of their assistants.

The highlight of the evening was the speeches by Finance Minister Charles Sousa (MPP, Mississauga South), and the three all-party Co-op Caucus co-chairs, Minister Marie-France Lalonde (MPP, Ottawa – Orléans), MPP Ernie Hardeman (Oxford) and MPP Percy Hatfield (Windsor – Tecumseh), each of whom recognized the benefits that co-operatives provide and their commitment to supporting the sector moving forward. 

Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa addresses the crowd with 

(L-R) Master of Ceremonies Simon Swail, government relations 

manager for Co-operative Housing Federation Canada, 

MPP Percy Hatfield, Minister Marie-France Lalonde and 

MPP Ernie Hardeman all taking turns to convey their solid 

support of the co-operative sector.

Peter Cameron, acting executive director and co-op development manager with the Ontario Co-operative Association was pleased with the outcome. “This extraordinary turnout of government representatives is one of the highest we’ve seen in years and is a testament that our message is being heard,” says Cameron  

  

Hosted by the Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) in partnership with the Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario (CCO), the reception took place within weeks of learning that the 2017 Ontario budget included a commitment to consolidate the incorporation process for co-operatives.

Throughout the day, members of the joint government relations committee, along with representatives from Brown and Cohen Communications and Public Affairs - the consulting firm hired by the two organizations, participated in a series of pre-arranged, strategic meetings with MPPs and their staff. 

On Co-op and CCO representatives are encouraged by their joint government relations efforts thus far; and eager to take next steps in keeping the positive momentum moving forward at Queens Park.  

For more information on On Co-op government relations strategy, visit: http://www.ontario.coop/programs_services/advocacy_and_government_relations