The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, Innovation was joined by Alexis Foster, Managing Director, and Valerie Carruthers, Executive Board Member, of the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC), to sign a proclamation to mark October 13-19 as National Co-op Week across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Co-operatives make significant contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy each year. There are approximately 90 vibrant co-operative enterprises in the province, and this innovative business model is being used to support a variety of opportunities in multiple sectors of the economy.
The theme for National Co-op Week 2019 is ‘interco-operation’. This theme is reinforced in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Provincial Government’s continued partnership and Memorandum of Understanding with the NLFC.
To further advance and promote co-operative and social enterprise models in the province, government and NLFC have recently partnered to develop two new Community Capacity Building modules:
- An Introduction to the Co-operative Business Sector in Newfoundland and Labrador; and,
- Creating a Co-operative Enterprise in Newfoundland and Labrador: Steps in the Co-op Development Process.
These modules can be found online at www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/regionaldev/capacitybuildingcoopdev.html
The Community Capacity Building co-operative development training focuses on what a co-operative is and its inherent value within economic development. It introduces and explores reasons to develop a co-operative, related legislation, and explores a co-operative as a unique type of business model. Groups interested in learning more about the co-operative business model should contact their local Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation office.
Support for co-ops and social enterprise development delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation, to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Co-operatives are vital in propelling business and economic development while serving the needs of their members and their communities. We continue to assist developing co-ops because they benefit the economy, support sustainability, and help tackle social and economic issues. That is why government was pleased to partner with the NLFC to develop two new Community Capacity Building modules and by supporting stakeholders in the co-op development process.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Cooperatives is thrilled to once again celebrate Cooperative Week and Credit Union Day in partnership with our provincial government. The signing of this proclamation with Minister Davis, along with the announcement of the new cooperative learning modules highlight the importance of the sector and the contribution it has made to our province. We look forward to continuing to work with them and our members as we work collaboratively to advance the sector and expand cooperative education in the years to come.”
Alexis Foster
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
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Alexis Foster
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
709-726-9431
afoster@nlfc.nf.ca