MACKINNON HONOURS CO-OPS FOR LONG-TERM SERVICE

Released on November 2, 1998

Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon has

presented four Federated Co-operatives retail member co-ops in central

Saskatchewan with Certificate of Co-operative Achievement awards for

long-term service to their members and customers.



The certificates were presented to the Hudson Bay Co-op for 50 years

of service and to the Eston, Leroy-Watson and Vonda Co-ops for 60

years of service. The four co-ops were honoured Sunday at the

Federated Co-operatives regional fall conference in Saskatoon.



"These four co-ops helped build a tradition which helped build

Saskatchewan," MacKinnon said. "A tradition of working together with

an eye toward the bottom line, but also a social conscience, that has

made Saskatchewan unique."



Co-operatives have played a key role in giving Saskatchewan much to be

proud of today. Their hard work and dedication helped Saskatchewan to

lead the country in economic growth over the last five years, to

create more full-time jobs than ever before, to lead the nation in

youth job opportunities and to diversify our economy more than at any

time in our history."



MacKinnon noted that the continuing success of the co-operative

movement will be a vital part of Saskatchewan's economic future.



"There are 1,500 co-ops and credit unions throughout the province

and twenty of our top 100 companies are co-ops," MacKinnon said.

"In addition, more than half our population belong to at least

one co-op. Clearly, when Saskatchewan co-operatives prosper,

Saskatchewan communities prosper."



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For more information, contact:



Dave Barr

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691