On February 27, CCEDNet sent the following letter to Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty calling for the federal government to renew the co-operative development initiative (CDI) in 2012, the international year of co-operatives.
By facilitating the start-up and expansion of new co-operatives through project funding and advisory services, the CDI program makes an important contribution to Canada’s economic growth. Funding for this program amounts to approximately $4 million per year, a relatively small expenditure given the impact it has had on co-operative development.
The federal government can help create jobs, set up new locally-owned businesses, and revitalize our economy by announcing the renewal of the CDI as a legacy of the International Year of Co-operatives. While viewing this as a priority, the Canadian Community Economic Development Network also supports implementation of the Canadian Co-operative Association’s proposed Co-operative Investment Plan and co- operative development loan fund.
