Partner Blog: Co-Operators

The Ontario Legislature Internship Programme is proud to showcase our partnership with the Co-Operators, which has generously supported the programme for many years. The Co-Operators is an all-Canadian financial services co-operative whose mission is to help Canadians become financially secure and prosperous through multi-line insurance and investment products, services, and personalized advice. 

The OLIP Partnerships co-chairs are lucky to have Government Relations Specialist Corinne Allsopp as their contact at the Co-Operators. Corinne has met with several cohorts over the years, teaching interns about the company’s modest origins on the Canadian prairies and its growth into a national financial services co-operative. Interns always benefit from learning about the company’s co-operative business model, and how co-operatives across the country advocate for each other to all levels of government. Interns also get to learn how the Co-Operators works with a range of communities across the country.  

Given the Co-Operators’ increasing role in responding to climate emergencies like hurricanes and wildfires, the company cares deeply about sustainability and environmentally-sound investing. Their investment strategy focuses on generating strong financial returns alongside positive environmental, social, and economic benefits. The Co-Operators has also developed a Reconciliation Strategy that aims to achieve meaningful outcomes for its First Nations, Metis, and Inuit with three approaches: Respecting Indigenous ways as a business, embracing Truth and Reconciliation, and fostering friendships with Indigenous communities. 

In addition to sharing their knowledge with us, the Co-Operator’s generosity has given OLIP interns many unforgettable opportunities over the years, including study tours to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. On behalf of all the interns, we want to extend our sincerest thanks to Corinne and to the whole Co-Operators team for your ongoing support of our programme!