Throughout the month of October, I had the opportunity to meet with several of our members to discuss our current activities and how they align with the delivery of CMC’s strategic plan. As a result of these meetings, our team has come together to create some exciting new ideas to the table. I am very thrilled with their work, and am happy to say that there will be some excellent member-focused value add content rolled out over the next few months—stay tuned!
Earlier this month, CMC was excited to welcome two new regular members into our fold: Me-Dian Credit Union and the Fédération de l’habitation coopérative du Québec. An indigenous-focused financial co-operative, Me-Dian Credit Union embraces both the seven co-operative principles and the seven sacred teachings of the indigenous peoples as their guiding principles. Their mission is to provide financial products and services to the underserved First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in Manitoba, and to contribute to the financial strength to these communities through partnership, education, and social responsibility. Our other new member, The Fédération de l’habitation coopérative du Québec is the largest co-operative housing federation in Quebec, representing nearly 50% of co-operative units, or some 13,000 residences, throughout Montréal, Laval and the regions of Laurentides, Lanaudière, Montérégie, the Eastern Townships, Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue. We are so proud to count them both among our members and we look forward to working with them to further strengthen and unify our sector!
We also celebrated Co-op Week this month, one of my favourite weeks of the year! This year’s theme was “Co-operating on Climate Action,” which aimed to help co-operatives and mutuals work together to find reliable solutions to help the planet and their communities. CMC presented two webinars and held a social media contest, all of which you can read about in the newsletter. I highly recommend taking the time to watch the panel discussion “How can co-operatives overcome barriers to climate action?” which was organized in collaboration with Sustainable Solutions Group. I learned a great deal about climate action and took away many important lessons.
Looking ahead, November is already busy with so many events and meetings that our team is incredibly thrilled about! Personally, I am particularly excited for the Sustainable Finance Forum being held November 1–2. Building on the success of the inaugural Sustainable Finance Forum help virtually and on Parliament Hill last year, the 2023 Forum will welcome more than 400 participants to two full days of engaging keynote speakers and working sessions. This year’s Forum is sponsored by Desjardins, Vancity, Co-operators as well as Addenda Capital, and will mobilize an unprecedented lineup of government as well as industry representatives who recognize the vital and powerful role finance can play in growing a sustainable and inclusive economy. As well, for those of you attending the Alberta Community & Co-operative Association’s 2023 Co-operative Conference, I look forward to seeing you with our Senior Director, External Affairs, Daniel P. Brunette. CMC is dedicated to being present at events such as this one. Events like this bring opportunities to discuss the current and future trends that are impacting the co-operative ecosystem.
I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter—our team has been incredibly busy all month representing the co-operative movement and I am very proud of their work! I look forward to the busy months ahead and cannot wait to tell you all about it next month.