OTTAWA, June 21, 2017 – Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) welcomed Minister Bardish Chagger, P.C., M.P., to Co-operative Congress 2017. The Congress is a yearly gathering of members of the national apex representing co-operative and mutual organizations from all sectors of the economy.
As part of a re-organization related to the Innovation Agenda, the Government of Canada signalled that the responsibility for co-operatives will be moved within the Department of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) from their Strategic Policy Directorate to become the responsibility of The Honourable Bardish Chagger, P.C., M.P. – Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Market Place Services. While Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada represents both small and large enterprises, CMC is of the opinion that this move offers better potential support to co‑operatives in Canada.
Minister Chagger delivered her remarks to an appreciative crowd at the start of the Gala evening on June 21. The message was as clear as it was positive: Chagger personally supports the work that co-ops do in our communities and committed that the government will deliver on the promise of Motion M-100 by delivering on a strategy that supports co‑operatives in Canada.
“I look forward to solving challenges with you.” Stated Chagger.
David Lametti, MP for LaSalle – Émard – Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of ISED, made introductory remarks at the opening of the CMC Annual General Meeting the following morning, along with his colleague, the local MP for Ottawa-Vanier, Mona Fortier. The MPs offered their positive impressions of the co-operative sector as a whole and congratulated those gathered on the work that they do to better their communities using the co-operative model.
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada thanks the Government of Canada for engaging with our members in such a positive way during our 2017 Congress and Annual General Meeting.
About CMC: Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada is the national, bilingual association for co‑operatives and mutuals in Canada. Through advocacy with the federal government, CMC provides a knowledgeable voice committed to improving the economic and regulatory environment for co-operatives and mutuals on behalf of our members. CMC’s members come from many sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, agri-food and supply, wholesale and retail, housing, health, forestry, education, funeral services, public utilities and community development. CMC provides leadership to support, promote, and develop the co-operative economy in Canada. The co-operative and mutual movement in Canada counts more than 18 million memberships from approximately 9,000 co-operative and mutual enterprises.
– 30 –
For further information:
Brendan Denovan, Manager of Communications
C: 613.238.6712 x206 Email: bdenovan@canada.coop
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
275 Bank Street, Suite 400
Ottawa ON K2P 2L6