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Our Commitments
Our Commitments

Our Commitments

Our Commitments define who we are, how we work, where we place our priorities and how we live up to the co-operative-inspired values and principles upon which our co-operative was founded in 1958.

Environment

As a major processor and marketer of dairy goods and ingredients in Canada, and as a co-operative with direct links to Canadian dairy farms, Gay Lea Foods understands the importance of protecting our natural resources and being responsible stewards of the environment.

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Animal Welfare

As a leader in the Canadian dairy industry and a co-operative with members on 1,400 dairy cow and dairy goat farms in Canada, Gay Lea Foods knows that high quality dairy products begin with high quality milk from healthy, well-cared for animals.

Animal Welfare Housing

Animal Welfare Care

Animal Welfare Welfare

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Community

Gay Lea Foods is proud to contribute to the Canadian economy, create jobs & help sustain the communities where our members and employees live, and play, with their families.

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Our Co-operative Values

We do things differently here. From our farms and production facilities, to our distribution networks and employees, we lead with the co-operative inspired values and principles upon which our co-operative was founded in 1958. These principles, originally created in England in 1884, are the foundation of our co-operative identity.

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1st Principle

Voluntary and Open Membership Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

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2nd Principle

Democratic Member Control Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives, members have equ

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3rd Principle

Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a conditio

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4th Principle

Autonomy and Independence Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members a

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Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion

Co-operatives are guided by shared values and principles, foremost among them being a commitment to the ideals of democracy, empowerment and inclusion for all, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. We know we are better when we lift one another up and work together to make the world a better place.

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Accessibility

Gay Lea Foods believes in equal opportunity and is committed to providing accessible customer service in a way that respects the independence, dignity and integration of people with disabilities.

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Health & Safety

Gay Lea Foods is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers and the public through the continuous improvement of our rigorous Health and Safety Culture and Management System.