Co-ops

Ontario Co-operative Association

Canadian Co-operative Association

For a more in-depth overview, please read “What is a Co-operative” by ON Co-op Association.

Check out some other co-operatively-owned retail grocery stores in Ontario:

Big Carrot (Toronto)

Karma Co-op (Toronto)

West End Food Co-op (Toronto)

Your Local Market (Stratford)

London Food Co-op (London)

Collingwood Community Food Co-op (Collingwood)

Karma Project (Penetanguishene)

Eat Local Sudbury

Sandy Hill Food Co-op (Ottawa)

Dandelion Foods (Almonte)

The True North Community Co-operative (Thunder Bay)

(i)     1st Principle – Voluntary and Open Membership: All Welcome – No pressure

Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons who are able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

(ii)    2nd Principle – Democratic Member Control: One member = One vote

Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

(iii)  3rd Principle – Member Economic Participation: NO free rides

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

(iv)  4th Principle – Autonomy and Independence: Self-control, no parents

Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

(v)   5th Principle – Education, Training and Information: Share, Learn, Grow

Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public—particularly young people and opinion leaders—about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

(vi)  6th Principle – Co-operation Among Co-operatives: Together Everyone Achieves More

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

(vii)    7th Principle – Concern for Community: Building Strong Communities

While focusing on member needs, co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

• The co-operative model has proven to be stronger and more resilient than conventional business models, with a survival rate that is almost twice as high as other businesses, when compared after 5 and 10 years of operation.
• Co-ops are the fastest growing socio-economic movement in the world. They exist in virtually every sector of the economy including agriculture, financial services, and housing.
• Globally 800 million people are members of co-operatives.
• There are approximately 10 000 cooperatives and credit unions in Canada alone providing products and services to 18 million owners!
• The co-operative sector in Ontario represents $30 billion in assets.
• Some of the larger Canadian co-ops include Mountain Equipment Co-op and GayLea. Desjardins Credit Union is the sixth largest financial institution in Canada.
• In the Maritimes food co-ops control over 12% of the grocery share in the whole region.
• While each co-op is unique, they are all ownership-based, driven by social as well as economic concerns, and guided by 7 principles, including equality and solidarity.

A co-operative is a business or enterprise that is owned and democratically controlled by its members.

Cooperatives use the one owner/one vote system (not the one-vote-per-share system used by most businesses). This ensures that people, not capital, control the organization.

Co-ops empower individuals and encourage healthier and stronger communities by pooling members’ resources and sharing risks.