Co-operative Associations
Co-operatives are businesses that are owned and
democratically controlled by the members. The
main purpose of a co-operative is to provide
goods or services for its members. Each member
pays a membership fee or purchases a
membership share, and has one vote
regardless of how much money they have invested
in the co-op. The co-op’s assets are
collectively owned and surplus earnings are
allocated to the members according to policies
established by the co-op, often in proportion to
patronage of the members. There is limited
return on shares and member loans.
Co-operative associations are incorporated
under the Co-operative Associations Act. They are
different from both business corporations and
societies. Unlike societies they are permitted to
carry on business for profit. Unlike business
corporations they are not required to have a share
structure, but can set themselves up with a
membership structure similar to a society.
Essentially, they function as a co-operative
business structure in the interests of all the
members or shareholders of the co-operative.
The responsibility for co-operatives is divided
between two government agencies:
- The Registrar of Co-operatives appointed by the
Minister of Justice; and
- The Supervisor of Co-operatives appointed by the
Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and
Economic Development.
Generally, the Registrar of Co-operatives is
responsible for the legal matters involved in
co-operative filings, and the Supervisor is
responsible for the business aspects. However, even
for legal matters, the Supervisor is the first
contact for registrants or for those inquiring about
incorporating a co-op. Those inquiring about how to
incorporate or how to prepare a particular filing should
be referred to
Mary Savas, Program
Officer at the Department of Industry Tourism and
Investment at (867) 873-7381 on the
7th
Floor of the Northwest Tower.
Legal Registries has the following
responsibilities:
- Incorporation of the co-operative association
which involves registering a memorandum of
association and by-laws;
- Registration of any amendments to the memorandum
of association or by-laws;
- Registration of amalgamations or continuances;
- Dissolutions.
Annual returns are the responsibility of the Supervisor and copies are not
filed on the Legal Registries files.
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