A study commissioned by the Co-operative Enterprise Council of New Brunswick (CECNB) revealed that co-operatives have a significant economic impact in the province New Brunswick. The study was conducted by the Shannon School of Business at the University of Cape Breton.
The study highlighted the following data about New Brunswick co-operatives:
- They generate $1.35 billion in annual revenue;
- They provide the equivalent of 7500 full time jobs;
- They contribute over $500 million to GDP;
- Pay out nearly $330 million in employment income and more than $150 million in taxes.
“Co-operatives and social enterprises stimulate employment, maintain investments in rural communities, and address a multitude of social, environmental and cultural problems” said Wendy Keats, Executive Director of CECNB. “Not only do they make economic sense, they help to create healthy and vibrant communities.”
In addition to the economic impact study, a survey of 138 social enterprises was conducted by CECNB in partnership with researchers from Mount Royal and Simon Fraser University. The survey revealed that 30% of social enterprises provide employment development services and 20% provide training for the integration of the workforce, helping to improve the employability of people they serve (e.g. people with disabilities, low-income people, immigrants, Aboriginal people, the elderly, etc …). These companies are described as “key players in mobilizing volunteers” with 138 respondents a total of 6,500 volunteers.