Vancouver-based mutual fund manager the Ethical Funds Co. announced today it is recognizing three leading Canadian credit unions with this year’s Building a Better Future Awards for their corporate social responsibility.

The recipients for the 2006 awards are Edmonton’s Capital City Saving’s, St. Joseph’s Credit Union in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan’s Saskatoon Credit Union. The awards recognize credit unions that have demonstrated outstanding corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices, primarily in the areas of community and employee relations, environmental awareness, corporate governance and respect for human rights.

“We are proud to support credit unions that are making a difference in their community,” says Elaine McHarg, senior vice president, marketing and chief marketing officer of the Ethical Funds Co. “Credit unions have long been the unsung heroes in corporate social responsibility — demonstrating their support of initiatives based upon their community benefit, not based solely on the bottom line.”

Along with the award presentations to each credit union, The Ethical Funds Company has made a donation to a charity of the credit union’s choosing. The award winners and recipient charities were:

Capital City Savings – Edmonton, AB
Capital City Saving’s submission focused on the opening of a new branch in Mundare, following the departure of the town’s only bank. It introduced a credit union to the community, demonstrating its commitment to rural Alberta and the importance it places on sustaining these communities. The Ethical Funds Co. made a donation on behalf of Capital City Savings to Capital City Savings Kids Foundation.

St. Joseph’s Credit Union – Petit de Grat, N.S.
St. Joseph’s submission focused on its creative lending policy to the Richmond County Early Childhood Education Association. A significant loan enabled the association to purchase a new building from which it can continue to provide affordable childcare and house its clothing department and recycling business. The Ethical Funds Co. will make a donation on behalf of St. Joseph’s Credit Union to The Richmond Country Early Childhood Education Association.

Saskatoon Credit Union – Saskatoon, SK
Saskatoon Credit Union’s submission focused on the Individual Development Account Program — a financial learning tool that assists marginalized youth in staying in school. The project teaches low-income youth to better manage their financial affairs, save money toward a goal or objective, gain employment skills and build toward completing their education or to enter the workforce. The Ethical Funds Co. will make a donation on behalf of Saskatoon Credit Union to the Community First IDA Program.