Co-op News for December 11, 2018

Nunavut Co-op Pays Million Dollar Dividends

The Naujat Co-op in Nunavut gave members dividend payments of over a million dollars. The co-op is the largest employer in the community of 1100. It has around 530 members. In addition to running the store, the co-op is the Calm Air agent, the cable TV provider, hotel owner, and rental property owner. The Naujat Co-op is a member co-op of Arctic Co-operatives, a Federated Co-op member.

Sources:
Nunavut News: One more million-dollar year for Naujaat Co-op members
CBC News: Nunavut community co-ops dole out millions to shoppers in end-of-year payout

BC Employer Health Tax

The BC Provincial Government’s new Employer Health Tax (EHT) will be taking effect starting January 2019. The EHT is an annual tax on an employer’s BC remuneration. No employers are exempt from this tax. However, there is an exemption available for charitable or non-profit employers. Under the right circumstance a Community Service Cooperative will qualify. For detailed information please refer to the webpage, Employer Health Tax for Charitable & Non-Profit Employers.

Source:
BC Coop Association: The Employer Health Tax (EHT) is arriving as of 2019.

Modo is first Living Wage Certified in BC

Modo Carshare Co-operative became the first and only Living Wage certified carshare operator in the region. The current BC Minimum Wage is $12.65/hour. Live Wage is set at $20.91/hour in Metro Vancouver and $20.50 in Victoria. Studies by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC show Living Wage employers often see lower staff turnover, in addition to increased productivity and pride. Modo joins over 130 purpose-driven organizations in the province, including Vancity, The Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, Fairware, and the cities of Vancouver, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam.

Source: 
Modo: Modo is now Living Wage Certified – a first for BC’s carshare operators!