GUELPH, ON, June 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Co-operatives took four of the top six spots in the 2012 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada ranking, announced yesterday by Corporate Knights. The Co-operators was ranked third, with fellow co-operatives Desjardins, Vancity and Mountain Equipment Co-op taking first, second and sixth respectively.

Corporate Knights is an organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible business practices in Canada and the advancement of social and environmental sustainability worldwide. Its annual ranking is based on environmental, social and governance indicators found in the public domain. Specific indicators include the health and quality of an employer's pension plan, the diversity of its board of directors, executive remuneration, transparency in Global Reporting Initiatives, use of resources, and board-level oversight of sustainability issues, among other criteria.

"It's fitting that during 2012, the International Year of Co-operatives, co-ops and credit unions are ranked so highly on this list," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "It reflects the genuine commitment that so many co-ops have to serving their members while contributing to the well-being of their communities. Throughout Canada and around the world, co-ops are viable, highly competitive enterprises working to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world for future generations."

The Co-operators has a long-standing commitment to supporting Canadian communities and has been a member of Imagine Canada for the past 15 years. In 2008, it embarked upon its sustainability journey, during which it has developed a formal strategy to embed sustainable practices into its operations and moved toward its vision of being a catalyst for sustainability. For more information, please see The Co-operators 2011 Sustainability Report at www.cooperators.ca.

For more information on the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada, and to view the list in its entirety, please visit www.corporateknights.com.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $38 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. As a proud member and supporter of the co-operative sector, The Co-operators is pleased to celebrate 2012: The International Year of Co-operatives. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.