Prime Ministers, Presidents, Opposition leaders and senators have all lined up to greet cooperators wishing them a successful completion of their summit at Québec City Convention Centre scheduled from October 11 to 13, 2016.
Welcoming cooperators Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada says “Welcome to the 2016 International Summit of Cooperatives in beautiful Québec City! Over the next few days, you will have many opportunities to exchange ideas, participate in workshops, and meet fellow cooperative business leaders from around the world.”
Philippe Couillard the Premier of Québec says “Cooperatives alone account for 92 000 quality jobs in Québec and are a significant economic force and key entrepreneurial mainspring in all regions. They integrate social and democratic values into their business models and thus offer an effective solution to ensure, in particular, business transfers and entrepreneurial succession.”
Navdeep Bains ,the Minister of innovation, science and economic development and Minister responsable for Canada economic development for Quebec regions says “ Quebec City is once again hosting, in 2016, the International Summit of Cooperatives following its success from hosting the two previous Summits. This year’s main theme is : “Cooperatives: The Power to Act”.
For three days, nearly 3,000 participants from some 100 countries will take advantage of this outstanding forum to share ideas on the considerable impact cooperatives from here and abroad have locally, nationally and internationally. They will seek solutions to complex social problems affecting Canada, as well as those in other countries.
The combined strength of their members makes cooperatives significant levers for economic and social growth in
Monique F. Leroux President of International Co-operative Alliance says “ This is a special opportunity for us to come together, collaborate and discuss ways to forge ahead with our contributions to the development of cooperation around the world. The 2016 edition once again promises to feature world-class speakers who will be sharing their experiences and outlooks on the major issues facing us”.
Above all, this will be a place where all cooperative and mutual enterprises, development stakeholders, public institutions, the knowledge community, young entrepreneurs, and regional and sectoral cooperative organizations join forces to find sustainable solutions to the issues affecting our societies by choosing cooperation,” she adds.