You can help get the Co-operative Development Initiative renewed

Canada’s two national co-op associations have developed a proposal that will use co-operatives as a way to meet many of today’s federal policy challenges. The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and Conseil Canadien de la Coopération (CCC) want to renew and expand their current Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) partnership with the federal government, which is set to end on March 31, 2008.

CCA, CCO, and their partners (including On Co-op) are looking for your support in helping get this important initiative renewed. Co-ops, credit unions and co-op sector supporters are urged to contact Secretary of State Christian Paradis and Agriculture & Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz to let them know how important it is to renew and expand the Co-operative Development Initiative.

Use the tools and resources at www.CoopsCanada.coop/CDI to: Access sample letters to the Minister and Secretary of State (Agriculture), and to create an auto e-mail to your MP.

Harness the Power of Co-operation: A new Co-operative Development Initiative for Canada was presented to Secretary of State (Agriculture) Christian Paradis by CCA President Dave Sitaram and CCC President Michel Rouleau during a visit to CCA’s offices on September 10, 2007. Download a copy of the proposal at http://www.CoopsCanada.coop/CDI.