Recycling your money and making a difference with Dr. Suzuki

“This is a problem we face today: Investors don’t really care where their money is going, as long as they get the most out of that investment.”

That seems like an out-of-place statement for a credit union, doesn't it? But credit unions are different. Don’t take our word for it though—take it from a Canadian icon: Dr. David Suzuki.

Because that’s what award-winning scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster Dr. Suzuki told us when we sat down with him during his visit to Halifax for the Divert NS Mobius Awards. He talked about connecting the dots between helping your community thrive, his passion for the world, keeping it local, and credit unions themselves.

Of course, we wanted to know what he thinks about the financial industry and its connection to the greater good of the planet.

“They want the highest return,” he complained.

Interesting. But then how does our effort to provide advanced financial advice, products, and services line up at all with Dr. Suzuki?

“This is why I feel something like a co-op is not driven by the thing that investors are, which is profit,” he elaborated. “Profit line is not the driving force. I just think people have to really think about it and say ‘Maybe it’s important where my money goes, as well as how much I am going to get back by investing in this company?’”

Dr. Suzuki went on to drive home the idea that understanding how your dollar is spent and keeping your money where you live, work, and raise your family is at the heart of vibrant, strong communities.

“I very strongly suggest that we support more of our local people, the money that we spend stays within the community,” he said.

This, he pointed out, includes recycling the money you make, by putting it back into the cities and towns where you live.

And that is where we have a meeting of the minds—like supporting small businesses during COVID-19 (and all year round!).

Because, after all, what’s more important than supporting your friends, family, and neighbours? But again, don’t take it from us, take it from Dr. Suzuki.

“Community after all, is the reason we live together. We’re social animals and we love community.”

We couldn’t agree more.