Canadians give high marks to co-ops: Abacus survey

OTTAWA, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - The vast majority of Canadians say co-operatives provide better customer service than other types of businesses, treat their employees better, have more environmentally sustainable practices and support community values and the local economy. 

Those were some of the results of an Abacus Data survey commissioned by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and conducted on May 15 and 16.  The survey was conducted in conjunction with the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, which is taking place this year.

The survey was conducted online with 1,008 respondents across Canada using an internet survey platform. A random sample of panelists was invited to participate in the survey from a larger representative panel of some 150,000 Canadians.

According to the survey:

• 85 per cent of respondents have heard of "a type of business called a co-operative."
• 65 per cent describe themselves as "very familiar" or "somewhat familiar" with co-operatives.
• 41 per cent said they were a member of a co-operative and/or credit union.
• 84 per cent of respondents were able to name a co-operative in their community.  Desjardins and Mountain Equipment Co-op were most frequently mentioned.

Abacus then asked respondents to compare co-ops with other businesses on a variety of factors.

• 84 per cent said co-ops are more likely to support the community's values.
• 83 per cent said co-ops are more likely give people a say on how the business is run.
• 82 per cent said co-ops are more likely to support the local economy.
• 81 per cent said co-ops are more likely to sell locally produced products.
• 76 per cent said co-ops are more likely to treat their employees better.
• 72 per cent said co-ops are more likely to have environmentally sustainable practices.
• 70 per cent said co-ops are more likely to have better customer service.
• 53 per cent said co-ops are more likely to have lower prices.

The only factor in which other businesses were rated more highly than co-ops was convenience of location; 74 per cent said other businesses have more convenient locations than co-ops. However, assuming price, service, product quality and convenience are equal, 83 per cent said they would prefer to shop at "a locally-owned business that shares its profits among member-owners" than "a privately owned company that is part of a larger chain."

Only five per cent of those surveyed were aware that 2012 is the International Year of Co-operatives; the figure was highest (12 per cent) in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (referred to as "central" in the survey report).

"These results clearly indicate that Canadians understand the difference between co-operatives and other types of businesses and appreciate the advantages that co-operatives offer," said Denyse Guy, executive director of CCA. "We used to say that co-operatives are Canada's best-kept secret, but according to this survey, it looks like the secret is out!" 

The survey results can be downloaded at www.s.coop/coopsurvey2012.

The Canadian Co-operative Association is a national association for co-operatives in Canada, representing more than ten million co-operative and credit union members across Canada. CCA members come from many sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, agri-food and supply, wholesale and retail, housing, health and the service sector.  CCA provides leadership to promote, develop, and unite co-operatives and credit unions for the benefit of people in Canada and around the world.

Abacus Data Inc. is a full-service, national public opinion and marketing research firm located in Ottawa, ON.  Its clients include some of Canada's leading corporations and advocacy groups.  It specializes in public affairs research and research on Canadian Millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) and runs the website www.canadianmillennials.ca. 

Donna Balkan, Communications Manager
Canadian Co-operative Association
613-238-6711, ext. 206
Cell: 613-314-1032
[email protected]

Visit our website at www.coopscanada.coop

David Coletto, Chief Executive Officer
Abacus Data, Inc.
613-232-2806
Cell: 613-884-4730
[email protected]

Visit our website at www.abacusdata.ca

For more information about the International Year of Co-operatives, go to www.canada2012.coop.