(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Unanimous vote

Pineland Co-op delegates support amalgamation with Lake Country Co-op

Jan 28, 2020 | 3:08 PM

The proposed merger between Pineland Co-op and Lake Country Co-op is one step closer.

Pineland delegates voted unanimously Jan. 27 to approve the amalgamation.

Pineland, based in Nipawin and Lake Country, based in Prince Albert, had a management agreement with each other over the past three years.

The Lake Country Board of Directors will now have to review recommendations and make a decision on whether to take the proposal to their delegate body for a vote at the end of March.

Pineland Co-op held member information sessions at the end of 2019, and the general public was invited to the final information meeting at the Nipawin Evergreen Centre Jan. 9.

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Pineland board president Morley Doerksen said they had feedback from people both for and against amalgamation.

Doerksen told northeastNOW delegates also went out to meet with staff and members.

“[Delegates] learned quite a bit that way, just talking with people one-on-one, and they were quite comfortable in having the vote to proceed,” he said. “I think the majority of people were in favour [of amalgamation], but there [were] definitely some that were not.”

He said the merger would make both organizations stronger. He said amalgamation would help improve buying power, save money on some purchases, and would allow the co-ops to share equipment and inventory.

“We have a lot in common with Lake Country, and if we can work together and make it better for the members and the staff, that’s what we’re looking for,” Doerksen said.

The amalgamation is a sign of the times, according to Doerksen.

“With competition moving in, we’re getting some very big companies coming into our area, and the margins are tight, especially on the grocery end,” he said. He added that Pineland is fairly reliant on fuel revenues.

Doerksen said there are many Co-ops in the same position as Pineland, and are looking for ways to improve the bottom line, and thrive into the future.

“We’re excited [about amalgamation], I know Lake Country’s excited, and Pineland’s excited to see how all this works out working together,” he said. “We’re just doing it for our members…we talk about it all the time that it has to work for the members and the staff.”

He said no staff reductions are expected in the amalgamation process.

The amalgamation would take effect June 1, should the merger be approved by Lake Country delegates.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974