SASKATOON CO-OPERATIVE HONOURED

Released on October 10, 2002

A Saskatoon co-operative will be recognized at the Saskatchewan Co-

operative Merit Awards, a program that honours outstanding contributions to

co-operation and co-operative development in the province.



The Saskatoon Environmentors Co-operative Ltd. will be honoured with the

Saskatchewan Co-operative Enterprise Award at a celebratory banquet on

Tuesday, October 15th in Regina. The Merit Awards ceremony is the key

activity in Co-operatives Week in Saskatchewan, October 13th-19th.



"Co-operatives are a way of life in our province, providing needed goods

and services to Saskatchewan people," Industry and Resources Minister Eldon

Lautermilch said. "Co-operatives like the Saskatoon Environmentors Co-

operative Ltd. that are dedicated to co-operative development and core

neighbourhood services in their region are the reason co-ops have a

substantial impact on our economy and support and enhance the well-being of

our towns, cities and rural areas."



The Saskatoon Environmentors Co-operative Ltd. operates a community program

known as the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-operative (CNYC), focusing on

environmentally responsible and educational projects. This innovative

approach supports co-operative approaches for youth between the ages of 12-

18, in Saskatoon, who are most vulnerable and likely to be victimized or in

conflict with the law. The youth engage in community development

activities based on environmental principles.



The Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Awards Program, now in its 23rd year,

is co-ordinated and co-sponsored by Saskatchewan Industry and Resources and

the Canadian Co-operative Association, Saskatchewan Region. Since

inception 191 awards have been distributed.



Award recipients are selected based on the outstanding contributions they

have made to co-operative development at community, provincial and national

levels. Individuals are nominated by co-operatives and credit unions and

then selected by representatives of the two sponsoring organizations.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Industry and Resources

Regina

Phone (306) 787-1691