MONTREAL, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - The Co-operators is pleased to announce the opening of its first two offices in the Montreal area. Located in Île-Perrot and Beaconsfield, the offices of the first two local C-operators representatives opened their doors for business on January 18th and 25th respectively.

This past summer, The Co-operators celebrated a milestone when the first Co-operators representative in the province of Quebec opened for business, in Gatineau. "Quebec is the only part of the country in which we have not traditionally had Co-operators representatives," explained Martin-Éric Tremblay, Senior Vice-President, Co-operators Group Ltd. and President, Quebec Operations. "As part of our growth strategy, this will change as new Co-operators offices open throughout the province in the years ahead. We look forward to enhancing our presence in Quebec, and serving communities not only through these offices, but also through our brokers, group plans, call centres and the internet."

The Co-operators currently has 482 exclusive agents providing insurance and financial services in communities throughout Canada. In Quebec, The Co-operators group of companies is best known through its insurance subsidiaries L'Union Canadienne, The Sovereign General, TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators and COSECO, as well as investment management firm Addenda Capital. These companies offer products and services through their established distribution networks, which include Quebec's brokerage community and contact centres.

About The Co-operators:

Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is a group of Canadian companies offering home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned co-operative with assets of more than $7 billion. It is owned by a group of Canadian co-operatives, credit union centrals and like-minded organizations. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.