WINNIPEG, June 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) honoured The Co-operators, Lacey Chyz, and the Honourable Mauril Bélanger at the 2016 Co-operative Congress in Winnipeg.
The Co-operative of the Year honour was presented to The Co-operators and accepted by President and CEO Kathy Bardswick and Board Chair John Harvie. The Co-operators was nominated by the Fédération des cooperatives funéraires du Québec for its contribution, innovation, and impact as a key partner to many in the co-operative sector. Among their contributions, The Co-operators were acknowledged for their leadership role as one of the initiators of the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund (CCIF). The Co-operators is consistently recognized as one of Canada's best corporate citizens. "Co-operatives large and small, operating in virtually every sector of the Canadian economy are doing amazing work in helping to build more equitable and vibrant communities across the country," said Ms. Bardswick "It's quite an honour to be selected for this award from Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and something that I know our employees will be very proud of."
Lacey Chyz was awarded the Emerging Co-operator Award. Nominated by the Alberta Community and Cooperative Association (ACCA), Ms. Chyz began her co-operative career as an international intern with the Canadian Co-operative Association and volunteer for the Co-operative Youth Leadership program in 2011. She joined ACCA as staff in 2014 and Canada's Emerging Co-operators committee in 2016. A natural leader with recognized marketing and public speaking abilities, Ms. Chyz accepted the award by pointing out "that there are many talented and spirited young people in the co-operative movement and I am proud to be recognized among them. I have seen first hand how people in their twenties and thirties have shaped organizational culture and member engagement. I know the co-op movement is in great hands."
Mr. Bélanger was awarded CMC's highest individual honour, The Achievement Award. The Achievement Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of men and women to the cause and the development of co‐operatives and mutuals in Canada. This award recognizes Mr. Bélanger's exceptional contribution to promoting, developing and uniting co‐operatives and mutuals in Canada. The award was presented to Mr. Bélanger's staff in Ottawa, in April by the CMC Board of Directors. Symptoms from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis prevented Mr. Bélanger from accepting the honour in person.
About Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
The Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) is the national, bilingual association for co-operatives and mutuals in Canada. CMC's members come from many sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, agri-food and supply, wholesale and retail, housing, health and the services sector. CMC provides leadership to support, promote, and develop the co-operative economy for the benefit of Canadians.
About The Co-operators
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. It is ranked #3 on Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada list, included among the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine and the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.
SOURCE Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
Image with caption: "President and CEO Kathy Bardswick and Board Chair John Harvie accept The Co-operative of the Year Award. (CNW Group/Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160616_C3176_PHOTO_EN_715927.jpg
Brendan Denovan, Manager of Communications 613.238.6712 x206Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada 275 Bank Street, Suite 400 Ottawa ON K2P 2L6
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