About Co-ops in Canada

Co-op Membership in Canada

Four of every ten Canadians are members of at least one co-op. In Québec, approximately 70% of the population are co-op members, while in Saskatchewan 56% are members.

Employment in Co-ops

There are more than 9,000 co-ops in Canada, and they directly employ 155,000 people. Across Canada, an additional 250,000 independent producers rely on marketing and production co-operatives for their livelihood. These co-ops are especially significant in rural and remote regions of the country, where they meet the economic needs of producers in agriculture, the fisheries, arts and crafts production, and manufacturing.

Financial Success and Local Asset Building

Canada's co-operatives hold more than $190 billion in assets, which is owned by the members and communities they serve. Non-financial co-ops do nearly $30 billion a year in business. At least 10 co-ops are listed in the top 500 companies in Canada, and several financial co-operatives have been rated the best places to work in Canada.

Leadership and Management Training

At least 70,000 co-op members serve on co-op boards of directors. This volunteer role develops local leadership and management skills and is an important part of the success of co-operative enterprise.

Sustainability of Co-ops

Co-ops have demonstrated a higher survival rate than other forms of enterprise. A study published by the Québec Ministry of Industry and Commerce in 2001 shows that the long-term survival rate of co-operative enterprises is almost twice that of investor-owned companies. Similar patterns exist across Canada.

Co-operatives and the Social Economy

Co-operatives are considered an integral part of Canada's social economy, since they are democratically controlled enterprises designed to meet the social and economic needs of their members. Co-operatives are a proven tool for mutual self-help, allowing people to work together towards common goals. This in turn helps build social cohesion by promoting inclusion, trust and equity among citizens. In their one-hundred-year history in Canada, co-operatives have helped thousands of disadvantaged people and communities to create effective solutions to social and economic challenges, while building local leadership skills, local autonomy and control. Canadians continue to use the co-op model in innovative ways to address a wide range of needs and challenges - including the needs of aboriginal and immigrant groups, youth, disabled persons, and low-income communities.