The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council is the provincial development arm of the co-operative and credit union system. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of directors, representing co-operatives and credit unions from across the province.

Created to serve the needs of the membership and grow the co-operative movement in the province, the Council's development agenda is reviewed annually during a general meeting of the membership.

The Council represents approximately 250 co-operative enterprises in the province that employ 7,000 people and provide housing for 6,000. There are more than 10,000 co-ops and credit unions in Canada.

Mission

The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council exists to:

• Encourage co-operatives of all types to work together to form a strong co-operative movement in Nova Scotia
• Stimulate, promote, and support the creation of new co-operatives across all sectors and industries in Nova Scotia
• Advocate for the co-operative movement's interests to all levels of government
• Enhance the profile of a 'co-operative identity' among the public in Nova Scotia
• Ensure innovation within the co-operative sector
• Develop new ways of financing, which support development opportunities

Co-operatives and credit unions within Nova Scotia are part of a strong, proactive provincial movement. By helping coordinate the efforts of industry players, the Council seeks to ensure that co-operatives and credit unions continue to play a dynamic and creative role in addressing the needs and challenges faced by local communities into the 21st century.

Support & Services

The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council provides the following supports and services to individuals and groups considering the co-operative model for their business. They include:

• Co-operative training
• Helping navigate co-operative incorporation
• Formation procedures (boards of directors, by-laws, policies, etc)
• Feasibility assessments
• Business planning
• Alternative finance (debt, equity, micro credit, & CEDIFs)
• Conflict resolution
• Business evaluation
• Connection to the co-operative network & resources
• Business mentor program
• Research
• Government advocacy

Details on most of these services can be found elsewhere on this website, but if you require more information, please contact our main office, located in Truro, or one of our regional offices in Sydney or Yarmouth.