The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, earlier this week proclaimed October 16 to October 22, 2022 as Co-op Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. Co-op Week recognizes and celebrates the numerous vibrant co-operative enterprises making significant contributions to the province’s economy each year.
Co-operatives are an innovative business model used to support a variety of opportunities in sectors such as child care. With an increase in demand for child care spaces across the province, a unique opportunity for the co-op sector has been presented to proactively promote and support the development of parent/worker-owned child care co-ops to meet parental and community needs. To assist with the development and distribution of a resource tool kit to facilitate increased public awareness of the benefits of the child care co-operative model, the Provincial Government recently announced a $4,000 funding contribution to the Co-operative Solutions Group.
Minister Parsons was joined by Shannon Fraser, Vice-President of the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) to sign a proclamation at the Confederation Building Daycare Centre Co-op this week.
The department, through the Community Capacity Building (CCB) Program, is also supporting co-op development sessions for women immigrants and for real estate professionals, as well as a strategic planning session by the NLFC.
The CCB program was established in 2009 to assist community-based economic development organizations through enhancing skills essential to regional economic planning, development and implementation. Groups interested in learning more about the co-operative business model should contact their local IET office.
Co-op Week is celebrated during the same week as International Credit Union Day, which is the third Thursday in October each year.
Quotes
“I congratulate the many co-operatives and social enterprises who are leading the way in co-op and community economic development across the province. We are pleased to partner with the NLFC to promote the co-operative business model while supporting the growth and development of the overall sector.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“Co-op Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the impacts of co-operatives in our province. Co-operatives create stability in our communities by providing needed services, creating employment, and investing profits in their communities. The NLFC are proud to represent the passion and dedication of our member organizations. Happy Co-op Week to all!”
Dave Walsh
Managing Director, Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
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Community Capacity Building
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5777, 725-9655
[email protected]
Amanda Organ
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
709-726-9434
[email protected]
2022 10 21
9:45 am
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