Credit unions can be valuable partners in advancing government priorities and delivering tangible outcomes in communities. The following examples from British Columbia highlight how credit unions are working with governments and community partners to support shared policy objectives:

How credit unions can support public policy initiatives

British Columbia’s credit union sector is a significant part of the province’s financial and economic infrastructure. BC’s 22 credit unions serve approximately 2.1 million members, hold around $110 billion in assets, and directly employ approximately 9,000 people across the province. They provide individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities with a full range of financial services delivered through credit unions whose ownership, employees, and decision-making remain closely connected to the communities they serve. Credit unions combine community focus with some of the lowest default rates on business loans and residential mortgages across financial institutions. 

Keeping financial infrastructure in rural communities: McBride

Credit unions demonstrate their commitment to communities by maintaining or rebuilding financial infrastructure where other institutions withdraw. McBride is a recent example. After Scotiabank left the community, Integris Credit Union partnered with local organizations to establish a new financial branch in McBride, restoring access to in-person financial services and supporting the community’s economic resilience. This initiative was recognized at the 2025 BC Economic Summit, where Integris Credit Union received the British Columbia Economic Development Association’s provincial Community Project Award for communities with populations under 10,000.

Financing local climate and affordability priorities

In the Kootenays, Nelson & District Credit Union works alongside the City of Nelson’s HomeSave program (funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities) to provide financing options for homeowners undertaking energy efficiency improvements.

This partnership allows a local government to establish a policy objective to reduce household energy consumption, improve building performance, and increase resilience, while a local credit union provides a financing mechanism that helps residents make those investments. It demonstrates how credit unions can implement a federally funded program and policy across Canada.

Advancing economic Reconciliation

Credit unions can also help address financial barriers unique to Indigenous communities. In northern British Columbia, Northern Savings Credit Union is helping lead the way on economic Reconciliation through financing solutions that support homeownership on First Nations reserve lands. Conventional mortgage financing on reserve can be difficult because of the legal and land tenure framework governing reserve property.

By developing financing solutions in partnership with First Nations, credit unions can help expand pathways to homeownership and wealth creation while supporting the First Nations' community and economic development priorities. This is another example of the credit union model responding to a specific local challenge.

More than lending

Credit unions can connect local capital, local knowledge, and public priorities in ways that strengthen local and regional economic resilience. They are unique partners that all 3 levels of government can leverage in implementing trade, economic development, affordable housing, sustainability, and reconciliation policies across Canada.