A portrait of co-operatives and credit unions in Atlantic Canada

Luc Thériault from the University of New Brunswick took the lead on this project with the help of other members of the research network and the technical assistance of survey research consultants from York University in Toronto. [...] The survey shows that the internationally acknowledged Co-operative Principles are relatively well known in the sector (two thirds of co-operatives say that they are aware or very aware of them) but the education of the public (as opposed to that of members) is probably one of the areas (with participation in public policy development) where responding organizations are the least likely to fully l [...] The conclusion stresses the importance for governments to pay increasing attention to the activities of co-operatives and to institute policies and regulations that are adapted to and helpful for the co-operative sector in the region. [...] They include the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (the primary sponsor of the Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network), the Province of New Brunswick, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Province of Prince Edward Island, the Conseil Acadien de la Coopération, the Co- operatives Secretariat, Mount Saint Vincent University, [...] Hence, as part of a research program attempting to contribute to a better description of the scope and nature of the social economy in Atlantic Canada, this report presents the highlights of an important survey of the co-operative sector in the Atlantic region.