Co-operatives ready to address healthcare, seniors housing, and municipal services in response to provincial budget

Print version of News Release and Backgrounder

(October 25, 2019 – Stony Plain) After release of the new budget, the Alberta Community and Cooperatives Association (ACCA) stands ready to work with the Alberta Government to find innovative solutions to deal with budget constraints, particularly in healthcare, seniors housing and municipal services. 

“Tough times require tough actions,” said Randy Taylor, ACCA board chair. “The economic difficulties faced by many Albertans require all of us to tighten our purse strings, personally and as a government. Through challenges come opportunities, and co-operatives have grown and innovated through tough times and we are prepared to do so again.”

As Alberta’s population ages, co-operatives can provide responsive, cost-effective and quality services to seniors in both health care and housing and ACCA sees an opportunity to utilize the co-operative model within Alberta Health’s Clinical Alternative Relationship Plans (ARP).

“We know there is a lot of concern around private health care systems, which is why the co-operative model makes so much sense,” said Paul Cabaj, Interim Executive Director. “Unlike private health care systems, co-operative health services are owned and managed by their patients on a non-profit basis and have proven they can work fully within the Canada Health Act. There are already over 500 health and social service co-operatives in Canada and they are proving to be a successful model that we can use right here in Alberta by exploring the opportunities through ARP.”  

Housing for seniors is another key issue, and co-operatives provide opportunities to address these issues through seniors housing co-operatives and home care services that allow seniors to age in place.

“We have seen how senior housing and home care co-operatives can provide accessible quality services for low and middle income seniors,” says Ayanna Innis, Executive Director of the Northern Alberta Housing Co-operative Association. “Co-operatives can be tied to a wide range of home care services that allow seniors to stay in their homes longer. This not only reduces the need for seniors’ facilities, but also reduces the overall public health care costs.”

As co-operatives are community-based organizations, ACCA sees them as a natural partner for municipalities as well.

“A growing number of municipalities in other jurisdictions are already partnering with non-profits, the private sector, and co-operative businesses to fill gaps in services, including group purchasing to reduce transit costs, local energy generation, childcare services, and affordable housing, particularly for seniors.” said Cabaj. “The co-operative model is a powerful tool for municipal collaboration that can operate independently from provincial and federal regulations and funding and can help build the sustainability and resiliency of Alberta communities.”

“Co-operative businesses are woven into the fabric of Alberta’s economy and society,” said Taylor. “ACCA is ready to work with the provincial and municipal governments to explore the potential of utilizing the co-operative model to resolve social, economic, and healthcare issues in support of our collective vision of building better and stronger Alberta communities.”

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About the ACCA:  The Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA) is a leading provincial co-operative trade association. A not-for-profit organization, ACCA was incorporated as a co-operative in 2005 after merging with the Rural Education Development Association (REDA). Since 2005, ACCA has been consulted on opportunities leading to collaborative social and economic development in Alberta communities and has helped strengthen and diversify existing co-operative enterprises. ACCA is one of the largest provincial associations in Canada and has delivered innovative programs such as Unleashing Local Capital, lobbied the government for co-op friendly policies, and has run the largest co-operative youth leadership program in Canada for over 60 years.

 For more information, contact:

Paul Cabaj
Interim Executive Director
Office: 780-963-3766
Cell:  780-716-4475
Email: execdir@acca.coop

Jackie Sargent, SCMP
Communications Specialist
Cell: 780-719-6141
Email: communications@acca.coop