Cooperative movement

A unique characteristic about the Lamèque area is surely the importance of the co-operative movement. The co-operative movement is on very solid ground in Lamèque and has been for over 60 years; consumer (Société Coopérative de Lamèque), fish (Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l’Île), credit union (Caisse Populaire des Îles), housing (Habitat des Pionniers) and renewable energy/windfarm (Coopérative d’énergie renouvelable). The cooperative movement helped residents control their own destiny and boost their local economy.

Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l'Île Ltée (Island Fishermen Co-operative Association Ltd)

Lamèque has one of the busiest wharfs in New Brunswick and one of the largest processing plants in the province where mostly shrimp, snow crab and herring are processed.

The Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l'Île Ltée started its operations on January 8th, 1943. At the time, there was only a shed for splitting and curing cod and cement tanks to brine fish. In December of the same year, a freezer unit was built, permitting the freezing of fish in addition to drying and curing. The company was more successful year after year when a fire destroyed all the installations on January 12^th, 1961. This was no doubt one of the darkest hours of the Association. The fire burnt everything to the ground, buildings yes, but also all the years of hard work put together to build this co-operative which was the pride and joy of its members. With the heart, soul and willingness of its leaders, the plant was rebuilt. And with the snow crab fishing starting in 1967, a new plan for processing snow crab was built; the construction ended in 1975. Today, the co-operative’s products are found internationally.

 

Head office:
90 Main Street
Lamèque, NB
Paul-Orel Chiasson, general manager

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Caisse populaire des Îles (credit union)

The Caisse populaire des Îles was created on January 1st, 2003, by the merger of the Caisse populaire de Lamèque (established en 1937)and the Caisse populaire de Saint-Raphaël-sur-Mer (also established in 1937). At December 31^st, 2007, the Caisse populaire des Îles had 6196 members. These are represented by nine volunteer directors.

The Caisse populaire des Îles offers specialized services in personal credit, mortgage loans and commercial loans. Our members can count on their investment advisors who are specialists in financial advice. Also, a financial planner is also at their service to advise them in the management of their portfolios.

Three automated teller machines are available for members, two at 71, rue Principale in Lamèque et one at 8, rue de l'Église in Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël.
The Caisse populaire des Îles offers also many automated services ; preauthorized withdrawal, direct deposits, automatic bill payments, all by using the advanced functions of one of our three automated teller machines or by AccèsD service.  

Head office:

Lamèque
71 Main Street, P.O. Box 2069
Lamèque, NB E8T 3N5
Telephone : (506) 344-1500
Toll free : 1-800-686-6060
Fax : (506) 344-1515
E-mail : cp.desiles@acadie.com

Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël
8 De l’Église Street
Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël NB E8T 1N8
Telephone : (506) 344-1500
Toll free : 1-800-686-6060
Fax : (506) 344-5228


Centre de services aux entreprises (business services centre)
Transit : 00404-3
30 De l’Hôpital street
Lamèque, NB E8T 1C4
Telephone : (506) 344-1500
Toll free : 1-800-686-6060
Fax : (506) 344-1534

Business hours :
Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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La Société coopérative de Lamèque Ltée (Consumers Co-op)

It opened in 1940 and is still going strong after 69 years. 29 full-time and 38 part-time employees are working there (total payroll of 1 471 258 $), 67 people devoted to the members and consumers of the co-op. There are 4 728 members. Coop Atlantic recognized the excellence of the Co-op customer service and overall performance with an Excellence award in 1984, 1988 to 1991 and 1993 to 2000.  From 2001 to 2007, the Co-op was rewarded with the Leadership award. A complete food service can be found at the Co-op; groceries, bakery, deli, produce, meat and fish. There is also a hardware department, appliances, furniture, photo processing, gas bar, garden centre and pharmacy. Accord D financing plan is available.

Head office:
68, Main Street
P.O. Box 2066
Lamèque, N.-B.
Jacques Chiasson, general manager
Website: www.cooplameque.com

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Habitat des Pionniers

The idea to build a retirement home in Lamèque came from the existing cooperative groups of the area. They wanted to be able to offer affordable housing for the founding partners and pionners of the cooperative industry. In May of 1987, a feasibility study was conducted and it showed that the cost of construction would be very high and so they needed help to make this project successful. They turned to different governement agencies but with no luck. It's not until the Employment center of Canada advised them that it might be possible to creat a program in collaboration with the Community college of New Brunswick. The committee was very interested in this offer and agreed to join in this effort. During the 43 weeks of construction, the students spent 60% in class and the remainder on site. The 10 units were built at a total cost of 641 000$. The three cooperative groups invested a total of 105 000$ in this project.

The tenants were selected by a committee depending on differenct criteras. The Habitat des Pionners has been in operation since 1991. The first board of directors was formed by Medard Noel (president), Alphonse Noel (vice-president), Roger Chiasson (secretary), Martin Paulin (treasurer) and with the following administrators Joachim Lanteigne, Arthur Marcel Robichaud, Paul Orel Chiasson, Gilles E. Duguay and Céline Savoie. In September of 1989, Alphonse Noel was replaced by Marcel Lanteigne.

The actual board members are as follows:

Medard Noel, president
Gilles Duguay, secretary
Edith Duguay, treasurer

Administrators:
Arthur Marcel Robichaud
Serge Haché
Gilles Noël
Jacques Chiasson
Conrad Blanchard

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Coopérative d'énergie éolienne de Lamèque Ltée (Wind energy cooperative inc.)

More information coming very soon !