Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC), one of Waterkeeper's first sponsors
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) was one of the first Waterkeeper supporters in Canada. They supported the earliest days of our sister organization Ottawa Riverkeeper and sold T-shirts when “Waterkeepers Canada” went on tour with The Tragically Hip to promote awareness for Canadian waterways in 2004.
If you’ve ever bought one of our signature Swim Drink Fish T-shirts, chances are you picked it up at an MEC store!
In 2013, MEC took its support for freshwater to a new level. They created a website highlighting the importance of clean water to Canadians - because who doesn’t like to swim, paddle, or splash in the summer?
MEC also sponsored a nationwide Instagram contest so that Canadians could share their images of summer on the water, proving that “In Summer, We Swim.”
From the MEC website:
A retail co-operative, MEC exists to encourage and inspire Canadians to live active outdoor lifestyles. From backcountry trails to city streets, MEC supports a range of outdoor activities including climbing, hiking, camping, snowsports, watersports, cycling, running and yoga. Well known for selling high-quality well-designed products that offer great value, MEC employs outdoor enthusiasts who possess a strong service ethic to provide its members with an authentic and accessible customer experience. MEC has more than 3.5 million members across Canada. Anyone can join MEC by purchasing a $5 individual lifetime membership.
In 2014, MEC kicked-off Homewaters, a multi-year project where they partnered with eight fresh water organizations across Canada (including Lake Ontario Waterkeeper) encouraging people to connect with their local watersheds.
