Robb on Cooperation

Budget day thoughts

Posted by Alan Robb on 29 September 2009 | 0 Comments

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I am writing this prior to the presentation in parliament of the 2009 budget.

I am not expecting to hear the word “cooperatives” mentioned, but I am hoping that one day New Zealand politicians will support cooperatives in the way in which they are supported in Canada.

Just this month the Canadian Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), the Hon Jean-Pierre Blackburn, announced that his government will:

“invest C$19.1 million over the next four years to support the establishment of new cooperatives and test innovative methods of using the cooperative model.”

That’s about $27.8m in our currency!

Canada’s population is about 33.2 million compared with our 4.17 million.

So, if our politicians were willing to commit support on a pro rata basis that would mean investing about $3.5 million to support the establishment of new cooperatives and test innovative methods of using the cooperative model.

This is not a new step for Canada. Since 2003 they have had a national Cooperative Development Initiative.

In the past six years the CDI has helped create some 200 new cooperatives and has supported more than 1,500 cooperatives through advisory services.

Clearly Canadian politicians have been satisfied that they have received value for money and that cooperatives have an important role to play in today’s economy.

Taking action

So what must we do to make things happen? Three things:

● Tell your MP that co-ops deserve parliamentary support, as in Canada.

Already our association lobbies MPs about the role co-ops play in our economy; this needs to continue.

It would undoubtedly become more effective if every cooperative lobbied their local MP as well.

This could be by personal visit, phone call or mail.

I recall one senior MP telling me that when he received several letters on a particular issue he knew that each letter probably represented the view of about 3,000 people because so few individuals bothered to make their views known.

Don’t dismiss the significance that your letter to your MP might have.

● Promote the cooperative advantage in every way you can.

Too many co-ops seem afraid to tell the world that they are based on mutuality and cooperation.

I admire the way PSIS has crafted its new slogan – “a cooperative way of banking”, and in case you miss that they also describe themselves as “a very cooperative cooperative”.

● Support cooperatives in all your dealings.

Cooperation amongst cooperatives is a powerful way of growing your own business. You are dealing with others who share your principles and values.

Let’s hope that next year our politicians will be following their Canadian cousins, showing their support for the establishment of new cooperatives and the testing of innovative methods of using the cooperative model.●

– from the June/July 2009 Cooperatives News