Napierville, March 22, 2024 – Uniag Cooperative brought together over a hundred people, including 70 agricultural producers, at its Annual General Meeting on Friday, March 22 at the Saint-Rémi Community Centre. The event was an opportunity for co-op members to discuss the past year’s performance, elect directors and determine surplus distribution. In addition, attendees enjoyed a traditional sugar shack-themed meal, while taking part in discussion workshops on the grain trade and the vegetable sector.
Uniag Cooperative’s sales for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 totaled $248 million, with net earnings of $7.8 million. Members voted for a patronage dividend of $2,702,111, bringing the total amount returned to members since the cooperative’s inception in 2017 to more than $18 million. In addition, the Board of Directors announced the repayment of 80% of the 2018 preferred shares, for a total amount of $1,695,963.
The cooperative’s president, Hugo Landry, presented the organization’s vision and new values, the result of the strategic planning exercise carried out in 2023. Rigor, integrity, solidarity and commitment are now the guiding principles for the cooperative’s directors, managers and employees. Mr. Landry also spoke of the investments underway at the Napierville fertilizer center and the project for a new fertilizer center in St-Isidore, Ontario.
Mr. Sylvain Boyer, General Manager of Uniag Cooperative, expressed his satisfaction with the previous year’s financial results, and warmly thanked members for their participation in associative activities. He underlined the importance of these meetings in motivating members and ensuring the continuous improvement of the services offered by the cooperative.
Mr. Pascal Houle, CEO of Sollio Groupe Coopératif, also attended the meeting. He presented last year’s results and priorities for the coming year, alongside Sollio vice-president Jean Bissonnette, congratulating Uniag Cooperative on its excellent results.
Finally, Uniag Cooperative also presented cheques to four young participants in the Fonds coopératif d’aide à la relève agricole, for a total of $27,855. This program aims to support the development and growth of young farmers through training and financial support.
