DIVERSITY AND COOPERATIVES IN ATLANTIC CANADA

Among responding cooperatives (296 co-operatives & credit unions in Atlantic Canada), 95% had no First Nations people on the board; 87%, no person with a disability; 86%, no member of visible minority; 75%, no youth; 14%, no women. In Atlantic Canada, a co-operative has typically 3 women on its board, clearly less than 50%. The co-operative movement might want to initiate a discussion on its policies and practices regarding recruitment of board members.

- Excerpts, A Portrait of Co-operatives and Credit Unions in Atlantic Canada, Luc Thériault, Ron Skibbens, Leslie Brown. 2008