National

The Worker Co-op Sector in Canada: Success Factors, and Planning for Growth



Abstract


The objective of this paper is to provide an analysis of the current state of the worker co-op movement in Canada with a focus on successful worker co-ops. A deepened review of a 2008 survey was conducted. Worker co-operatives which have failed were analyzed, and a full-day workshop with the CWCF Board of Directors was conducted to assess the factors that would lead to faster growth in the sector. The research project also involved surveying 13 worker co-operatives across Canada to identify common factors of success. The survey results indicated that a large majority of founding members in these successful worker co-operatives did not have business experience. Overriding this was the willingness of members to work together and to continuously learn on the job in a working environment that allows them to express their values and social concerns. Through this, successful worker co-operatives were able to carve a niche in their business sector by providing high quality goods and services. Other factors critical to success were access to capital and creative financing, including members’ significant commitment to sweat equity, and available technical and industry resources to assist with the challenges of business and co-operative organizational development. By better understanding the success factors for individual worker co-operatives, the goal of CWCF is to pave the way for more growth and more success for worker co-operatives across Canada.

Courses Teaching Co-op Content in Canadian Universities.


Courses regarding Co-ops in Canadian Universities.

Guide to Co-operative Housing


A Guide to Co-operative Housing by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Child Care Co-operatives: A Place in Canada's Universal Childcare Plan


A consultation paper presented by the Canadian Co-operative Association to Social Development Canada as part of their Child Care Spaces Initiative

Strategis: Canada's Business and Consumer site.


A guide to the business resources available through the Government of Canada.

New Generation Cooperatives - 10 Things You Need to Know


FAQ on New Generation Co-ops

A LIST OF CO-OPERATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY THE CDI DELIVERY PARTNERS


A LIST OF CO-OPERATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY THE CDI DELIVERY PARTNERS

Co-operative Development Initiative 2005-06 Annual Report


The Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) is a five-year program that aims to make the co-op option more readily available to Canadians, to respond to their present-day challenges. Officially launched in April 2003, the program's "Advisory Services" component is managed jointly by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil Canadien de la Coopération (CCC), and its services were provided throughout the country by a solid network of 18 partners during fiscal year 2005-06.

CDI result tracking


results achieved by each of the delivery partners since the beginning of the Co-operative Development Initiative

The Canadian Social Economy Hub


The Canadian Social Economy Hub (CSEHub) acts as a facilitator promoting collaboration among six regional research centres across Canada (Québec, Atlantic, Southern Ontario, Prairies and Northern Ontario, BC and Alberta and the North), and creating opportunities and exchanges with international networks.

Socio-Economic Profile of Aboriginal Co-operatives in Canada


Socio-Economic Profile of Aboriginal Co-operatives in Canada, on Co-op Secretariat's site

Canada Youth Business Foundation


This organisation's website, specifically aimed at younger people, aged 18 to 34 years, has a step-by-step explanation of the application process for loans. CYBF provides loans for start-up costs of up to $15,000.

Canada Business: Services for Entrepreneurs


Programs and services for businesses offered by the government of Canada.

Government of Canada Services for Business


This site features programs and services that the Government of Canada offers to small and medium-sized businesses in Canada.

Cooperative Development Foundation


For more than 50 years the Cooperative Development Foundation has been improving lives through cooperative development. We work to help people help themselves. Through our vast experience and network of contacts, CDF brings together the funds and partners to incubate and replicate innovative programs through new and existing cooperative enterprise. We can, and do, make it happen.

The Co-operatives Secretariat


A key feature of the Co-operative Secretariat's mandate is to ensure that federal government policies are inclusive and supportive of the co-operative model of enterprise. This requires regular monitoring of policy, and it requires research to support policy analysis and development. In these efforts, the Secretariat works closely with the co-operative sector and with a vast array of government partners, as seen in the following overview of research and policy activities.

Creating a Co-operative, an Information Guide


This section of the Co-operatives Secretariat website provides information on co-op legislation, forming a co-op, and co-op development support for each province individually.

Co-operative Development Initiative Advisory Services Newsletter, Spring 2006


CDI ADVISORY SERVICES BULLETIN Provides highlights of the myriad of activities and accomplishments of co-operative associations committed to delivering assistance and technical services to Canadians under the Advisory Services component of the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI).

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada


The website of CHFC. It has excellent information on housing co-operatives in Canada including links to regional federations.

Canadian Alternative Investment Co-operative


The Canadian Alternative Investment Co-op is a fund formed in the early 1980's by a number of relifious communities who wanted to pool their resources in order to make investment that support positive social change and alternative economic structures. CAIC has since grown to forty-eight members with a lending pool of approximately $7 million invested in worthwhile projects across Canada. Our borrowers are building alternative economic structures that are supportive of worker cooperatives, disadvantaged peoples and the environment.

Canada Co-operatives Act


Department of Justice Canada website: Canada Co-operatives Act.

Registration as a Charity: Summary Policy


Canada Revenue Agency Policies.

Corporations Canada: Co-operative Incorporation


Incorporation Kit for Co-operatives in Canada.

The Car Sharing Library


"For Profit, Non-Profit or Co-op?" essay written by co-founder of Co-operative Auto Network.

Canadian Worker Co-op Federation


Providing a national website for worker co-operatives in Canada.

Co-operatives Secretariat


Gives a general overview of co-operatives in Canada.

Centre for Community Enterprise


Expertise and resources in starting and strengthening Community Economic Development (CED) organizations, revitalizing communities, developing community-minded businesses, CED curriculum design and delivery, and publishing.

Conseil Canadian de la Co-operation (CCC)


Community Economic Development of francophone co-operatives.

Industry Canada: Corporate and Insolvency Law Policy


Analysis of the Changes to the Canada Co-operatives Act.

Canada Business Corporations Act


Link to Canada Business Corporations Act
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