GUELPH, ON, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadians, in true co-operative fashion, have made their voices heard and chosen eight small and emerging co-ops as the winners of The Co-operators National Co-op Challenge. The winning co-ops were announced today, and each will receive $25,000 to support their growth and development.  

Sixteen co-ops -- four from each of four regions across Canada -- competed for their share of the $200,000 in prize money by creating a short video to raise awareness of their enterprise and educate Canadians about the co-operative business model.  The voting was open to the public for a month, after which time two co-ops in each of the four regions were declared the winners.

"Every co-op in this contest makes an impact on its local community, providing needed goods and services and contributing to the overall strength and resilience of the community," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "The contest helped promote these wonderful enterprises, which operate in a wide range of sectors, from urban farming and culture to health care and alternative energy -- a true representation of the great diversity of the co-op sector in Canada."

The winning co-ops are:

Atlantic Region:
Tignish Health Co-operative Association LTD (Tignish, P.E.I.)
Coopérative de développement régional Acadie Ltée (Caraquet, N.B.)

Québec Region:
Coop Le Grenier Boréal (Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan)
Coopérative La Mauve (Saint-Vallier)

Ontario Region:
Garden City Food Cooperative (St. Catharines)
Niagara Local Food Co-operative (St. Catharines)

West Region:
Urban Eatin' Gardeners Worker Co-operative Ltd. (Winnipeg)
Glorious Organics Workers Co-operative (Aldergrove, B.C.)

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 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. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca

SOURCE The Co-operators