MACKINNON HONOURS CO-OPS FOR LONG-TERM SERVICE

Released on November 3, 1998

Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon has

presented 11 Federated Co-operatives retail member co-ops in southern

Saskatchewan with Certificate of Co-operative Achievement awards for

long-term service to their members and customers.



Certificates were presented to the Alameda Co-op, Norquay Co-op and

the Farm Suppliers' Co-op of Frontier for 50 years of service. The

Bengough, Bulyea, Foam Lake, Liberty, Montmarte and Simpson

co-operatives received certificates for their 60th anniversaries. The

Coronach Co-operative Association was honoured for its landmark 80th

anniversary. The 11 co-ops were honoured Monday at the Federated

Co-operatives regional fall conference in Regina.



"These 11 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