Vancity announces additional $250,000 to Reconciliation Canada

A total contribution of $750,000 to support ongoing reconciliation efforts

For immediate release -- September 22, 2013

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancity has contributed an additional $250,000 to the Reconciliation Canada Initiative to support the reconciliation process moving forward.

The announcement, made at the Walk for Reconciliation today, follows a $500,000 contribution which Vancity provided in November 2012, when the credit union became a founding partner of Reconciliation Canada.

“The momentum that has been gathering this week is significant, and needs to continue. Both our organizations are catalysts for social change and see resilient, sustainable communities as the foundation for the future,” says Tamara Vrooman, Vancity’s president and CEO. “Collaborating with Aboriginal communities to achieve social and economic strength and independence is central to this commitment and we believe the process being undertaken by Reconciliation Canada will help create a better, stronger Canada for all.”

Vancity is committed to working with Aboriginal communities by providing access to financial services, building financial literacy, promoting affordable housing, home ownership and building stronger communities through economic development. By working together with First Nation government and Aboriginal not for profit organizations, we can create new and sustainable solutions that address the need for additional capital and improved access to financial services to support individuals, families, new businesses and to help strengthen communities.

The reconciliation process will create a new way forward in relationships among Indigenous people and all Canadians building resilient, healthy communities where all its members thrive.

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 492,000 member-owners and their communities through 57 branches in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Squamish. As Canada’s largest community credit union, Vancity uses its $17.1 billion in assets to help improve the financial wellbeing of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy, sustainable communities. Member deposits enable the credit union to loan to other members, businesses and organizations that are creating positive economic, social and environmental impact in their communities. Vancity is a Living Wage employer and a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a network of the world’s leading sustainable banks sharing a commitment to achieving triple-bottom-line impact through responsible banking practices.

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For more information:

T: 778-837-0394
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