What is a Cooperative?
A cooperative is an organization that brings members together to achieve shared goals. Around the world, cooperatives adhere to seven guiding principles that distinguish them from other organizations:
A cooperative is an organization that brings members together to achieve shared goals. Around the world, cooperatives adhere to seven guiding principles that distinguish them from other organizations:
- Voluntary and Open Membership: Cooperatives are open to all who wish to use their services and are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without discrimination based on gender, social status, race, political affiliation, or religion.
- Democratic Member Control: Members democratically control the cooperative, actively participating in decision-making and policy-setting. Each member holds equal voting power under the principle of "one member, one vote."
- Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to the capital of their cooperative and control it democratically.
- Autonomy and Independence: Cooperatives are self-governed, with decisions made by and for their members. Partnerships or funding from external sources are only pursued when they ensure continued member control and autonomy.
- Education, Training, and Information: Cooperatives invest in the education and training of their members, elected representatives, and employees to ensure effective participation and development. They also work to promote cooperative principles to the broader public.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives: To build a stronger cooperative movement, cooperatives collaborate locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Concern for Community: Cooperatives prioritize the sustainable development of their communities, shaping their actions and policies to benefit and enhance the well-being of their members and society at large.
The Canadian Co-operative Movement
Canada's co-operative movement is one of the world's most successful, with some co-ops having roots that date back over a century. Today, there are 9,000 co-ops across the country employing 155,000 people. Co-operatives emphasize values like equity, honesty, self-help, social responsibility, and care for others. Unlike traditional businesses, each co-op member has an equal vote, and the focus is on serving their members rather than maximizing profits for shareholders.
The movement traces its origins to 1900 when Alphonse Desjardins founded the first banking co-op, the Caisse Populaire, in Levis, Quebec. This network remains a cornerstone of Quebec's financial sector. In the 1920s, agricultural co-ops, such as the Prairie Wheat Pools, formed to help farmers challenge the exploitative practices of large grain merchants. Similarly, the Antigonish movement in Nova Scotia during the 1930s saw communities create co-ops to counter the dominance of mining and steel companies, which often controlled workers' livelihoods.
Memorial co-ops emerged in the 1960s to help families manage and reduce the rising costs of funerals. Housing co-ops gained momentum in 1973 when amendments to the National Housing Act allowed them to access public funding, leading to the creation of more than 2,000 housing co-ops over three decades. Insurance co-ops began by offering hail insurance to protect crops and have since expanded to provide a full range of insurance products. Retail co-ops have flourished in Atlantic and Prairie provinces, evolving from small community initiatives to large-scale enterprises, including an oil refinery. Calgary Co-op, with nearly 440,000 members as of December 2023, exemplifies the growth and success of retail co-ops.
The Cooperative Memorial Society with 28,000 members is proud to be part of Canada's strong co-operative tradition, contributing to a legacy of community support, equity, and meaningful services.
Canada's co-operative movement is one of the world's most successful, with some co-ops having roots that date back over a century. Today, there are 9,000 co-ops across the country employing 155,000 people. Co-operatives emphasize values like equity, honesty, self-help, social responsibility, and care for others. Unlike traditional businesses, each co-op member has an equal vote, and the focus is on serving their members rather than maximizing profits for shareholders.
The movement traces its origins to 1900 when Alphonse Desjardins founded the first banking co-op, the Caisse Populaire, in Levis, Quebec. This network remains a cornerstone of Quebec's financial sector. In the 1920s, agricultural co-ops, such as the Prairie Wheat Pools, formed to help farmers challenge the exploitative practices of large grain merchants. Similarly, the Antigonish movement in Nova Scotia during the 1930s saw communities create co-ops to counter the dominance of mining and steel companies, which often controlled workers' livelihoods.
Memorial co-ops emerged in the 1960s to help families manage and reduce the rising costs of funerals. Housing co-ops gained momentum in 1973 when amendments to the National Housing Act allowed them to access public funding, leading to the creation of more than 2,000 housing co-ops over three decades. Insurance co-ops began by offering hail insurance to protect crops and have since expanded to provide a full range of insurance products. Retail co-ops have flourished in Atlantic and Prairie provinces, evolving from small community initiatives to large-scale enterprises, including an oil refinery. Calgary Co-op, with nearly 440,000 members as of December 2023, exemplifies the growth and success of retail co-ops.
The Cooperative Memorial Society with 28,000 members is proud to be part of Canada's strong co-operative tradition, contributing to a legacy of community support, equity, and meaningful services.
