GUELPH, ON, Aug. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, The Co-operators announced grants from its Co-operative Development Program (CDP) totalling $150,000 to 14 emerging Canadian co-operatives. The recipient organizations reflect the breadth and diversity of the co-operative sector in Canada, ranging from car share co-ops to renewable energy to social services.

The program, established by The Co-operators more than 20 years ago, supports emerging and expanding Canadian co-ops that respond to the needs of their communities. Through it, co-operatives throughout the country have received more than $1.8 million to help them grow and better meet their communities' needs.

The following co-ops received grant money, encouraging their growth and supporting their business success:

Coopérative de solidarité Des Équilibres - Montreal ($5,000)
Réseau de la coopération du travail du Québec - Montreal ($11,615)
Coopérative Aequitas Essences Corp. - Ottawa ($11,140)
Dandelion Health Food Co-operative Inc. - Lanark, Ont. ($7,500)
Wintergreen Renewable Energy Cooperative - Godfrey, Ont. ($13,000)
Eat Local Sudbury Co-op - Sudbury, Ont. ($17,000)
Coopérative Régionale de Moonbeam Ltée - Moonbeam, Ont. ($12,910)
Coopérative agricole de Windsor Inc. - Windsor, Ont. ($15,000)
Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative - Saskatoon ($10,000)
Okanagan Car Share Co-op - Kelowna, BC ($8,000)
Metro Vancouver City Farms Cooperative - Vancouver ($14,735)
Shift Delivery Co-op - Vancouver ($4,100)
SIKAT Trading Cooperative - Vancouver ($10,000)
Victoria Women in Need Community Co-operative - Victoria ($10,000)

"Each of these organizations has a profound positive impact on its members and its community," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "They are fine examples of why it is so important to continue supporting the Canadian co-operative sector, and each demonstrates the important role co-ops play in communities."

The Co-operative Development Program is part of The Co-operators Foundation and reflects The Co-operators commitment to supporting emerging and expanding co-operatives in Canada. The program encourages the viability and growth of co-ops that respond to the collective needs of Canadians.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $33 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