Celebrating Co-op Week in Canada!

Co-op Week in Canada begins this Sunday from October 14th to 20th. In the United States the full month of October is dedicated to co-op awareness. It is an opportunity for co-operative and credit union members, staff and friends provincially, nationally and globally, to celebrate the impact co-ops have to sustainable social and economic development both at home and abroad.

Co-operatives are community-focused businesses that balance people, planet and profit. They are formed to seize local opportunities or respond to local challenges.

Here are some quick and easy facts and stats provided to you by the Ontario Co-operative Association:

• There are 1,300 co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires, located in Ontario.
• Ontario co-operatives have 49,000 volunteers - 10,000 of which are board members.
• Co-ops are in every business sector, and offer services from the cradle to the grave, from child care through to funeral co-ops!
• Co-operatives create $3.3 billion in income for Ontarians.
• Co-operatives are value-based and member-owned and focused.
• More than 1 of every 7 people worldwide are a member of a co-op.
• Co-operatives operate in more than 90 countries and employ over 100 million people around the world.
• Twice as many co-ops remain in operation after 10 years as other types of business enterprise.

In 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England formed a local co-operative of weavers and tradesmen and established the  the co-operative principles in which co-ops and credit unions around the world continue to follow today. 

GROWMARK/FS employees in Ontario will be hosting activities throughout the week to recognize and learn more about co-ops in the local community as well as raise money for the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada to held aid others less fortunate in Canada and abroad through co-operative development projects and strategies.

Happy Co-op Week!