A unique co-operative refinery complex in Regina, Sask., has a grassroots history that reaches back to the Great Depression.
During the 1930s, a group of farmers in Saskatchewan couldn’t afford the high prices for fuel they were being charged and hatched an alternative plan. Eight farmers put their own money and land into a new venture: a petroleum refinery supporting a small chain of farmer-owned gas stations.
The Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) was born.
Check out this video to learn more about the refinery, which blends a fascinating history with modern technology.
Today, the CRC fuels Western Canada with more than six billion litres of refined petroleum products every year. Sticking to its roots, the gasoline, diesel and other products produced at CRC are distributed through a co-operative system that has grown to more than 780 gas stations across the West.
CRC is now one of Canada’s larger refineries, and employs more than 1,000 people. CRC is also a leader in wastewater reduction, having invested $200 million in the Wastewater Improvement Project that cleans more than 7.6 million litres of wastewater every day. The project recently won the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) National Water Wise Award, which recognizes the efforts of organizations to improve our relationship with water. Additionally, the CRC project was named Industrial Water Project of the Year at the annual Global Water Awards held in April in Madrid, Spain.
