Mr. Speaker, next week is National Co-op Week, and with today's economic challenges and the changing face of the global economy, it could not be more timely.
With some 13 million co-op and credit union members in Canada joining some 800 million members worldwide, the popularity of co-ops and credit unions has grown, largely because of the advantages they offer in today's uncertain economic environment.
With globalization, concentration of ownership and ever-advancing technology, co-ops and credit unions provide an alternative to their investor-owned competitors, one that carries with it shared values and principles designed to ensure fairness and equity. And, of course, they are owned and controlled by their members.
National Co-op Week aims to raise the visibility of these organizations while improving understanding and awareness of co-operatives.
In closing, it is important that we all take the time to reflect on the importance that co-operatives have in our society, in our culture, and in our economy.