GUELPH, ON, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ - The Co-operators is pleased to be listed among the 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada, a prestigious ranking based on research by global sustainability research and analysis firm, Sustainalytics, for Maclean's. The list showcases companies in a variety of sectors considered leaders in "giving back to their communities, creating healthy and dynamic workplaces, minimizing their impact on the environment and showing a commitment to the principles of good governance."

The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and commitment to sustainability. The profile published with the ranking highlighted two of the organization's recent initiatives. One was its partnership with Bullfrog Power, through which it has chosen green power for a number of its offices across the country, to help achieve its carbon emissions reduction target. The other initiative cited was its ongoing efforts to strengthen the resilience of Canadian communities by better protecting homeowners against flooding. Canada is the only G8 country without overland flood insurance available to homeowners, and The Co-operators is bringing together a broad range of stakeholders to work toward a solution.

"It is critical to who we are as a sustainable co-operative insurer that we contribute in a meaningful way to the health, prosperity and well-being of Canadian communities," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "Ultimately, we seek to embed sustainability into our operations, so that staff and advisors across the country naturally consider the economic, social and environmental impacts of our choices with every decision we make."

In 2007, The Co-operators formally embarked upon its "sustainability journey." Guided by its Sustainability Strategy, the organization has taken a wide range of measures to improve its sustainability performance as a co-operative, an employer and an insurer. Its achievements, made possible by the support and efforts of its employees, have earned The Co-operators a number of accolades and awards from various organizations.

Detailed information on the performance of The Co-operators group of companies is publicly available in its annual Sustainability Report, available at www.cooperators.ca. The complete list and profiles of the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada are published in the June 16 edition of Maclean's and the July issue of L'actualité, both available on newsstands now.

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