Now that the federal election is behind us, our governments can get back to work on the many crises at hand. Canada is faced with a watershed moment as we reorganize our economy in response to economic attacks from our largest trading partner, but also to ongoing complex crises of affordability, housing, climate, political polarization and international conflicts.
Business as usual will not solve these challenges. In fact, it’s what’s gotten us where we are now. It’s time to change course.
Canadian co-operatives can help us safeguard and promote Canadian interests amid a shifting global landscape.
It’s time we prioritized Canadian purchasing and procurement, including the products and services offered by co-operative enterprises, which directly stimulate local economies, sustain jobs and reinforce community resilience.
Co-operatives aren’t marginal businesses. Collectively, they are an economic powerhouse for community wellbeing. They contribute $52.8 billion towards the Canadian GDP and generate $10 billion annually in taxes for all levels of government.
Co-operatives employ over 194,400 people, providing salaries of more than $11.5 billion. And they act as pillars within communities, with a third of co-operative enterprises headquartered in rural and remote areas, and many more serving members and facilities in those areas.
Cooperatives offer a different approach to business — one focused on meeting people’s needs. Whether they’re non-profit (58 per cent) or for profit (42 per cent), they exist to fulfill common economic, social or cultural aspirations of their members.
Examples include consumer co-ops that may sell specific products and services to their members. Or producer co-ops that help to process and sell goods and services on behalf of their members. Or worker co-ops that provide employment, and multi-stakeholder co-ops that can serve health, homecare or other needs to a number of different member groups. Not to mention Canada’s more than 400 credit unions and caisses, as well as more than 60 insurance mutuals and cooperatives, providing accessible, affordable services.
What they all have in common is democratic ownership — every member is an owner and has a vote.
Co-operatives can be found in every corner of Canada and in almost any economic sector. They have been improving Canadians’ lives for over 150 years.
Today, they are an integral part of our national fabric, with 10 million Canadians belonging to a co-op, credit union, caisse or mutual, and 57 per cent of Canadians expressing a deep connection to co-op values.
Investing in co-operatives keeps wealth circulating locally, promotes democratic participation, and fosters inclusive growth that benefits all Canadians. The co-operative model is a community-driven, needs-based approach that fosters resilience, innovation and local economic empowerment.
In a shifting global economy and polarizing environment, co-operation is more crucial than ever for Canadians’ economic security and wellbeing. Co-operatives offer a different economic model — one that is already thriving and has proven its value but can do much more.
Co-operatives are resilient and successful, with for-profit non-financial co-ops having 5- and 10-year survival rates — double that of traditional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Seventy per cent of them are more than 20 years old. They are also dynamic, with for-profit non-financial co-ops adopting more advanced technologies and demonstrating higher levels of innovation compared to other SMEs.
In our age of uncertainty and disruption, co-operatives are a way for Canadians to have more control over our lives, offering stability and security.
We can reinforce our economic sovereignty and meet pressing needs, whether it’s for housing, food security, health and social care, energy, financial services or many other priorities, by investing in the co-operative model.
In 2017, a private member’s motion recognizing the important role co-operatives play in the Canadian economy, including a commitment to take concrete steps to ensure that they continue to thrive, received unanimous support in the House of Commons. A robust strategy and set of recommendations was crafted based on consultation with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities and the co-operative sector.
Unfortunately, many of these recommendations remain unfulfilled. Now is the time to take action.
2025 has been declared the International Year of Co-operatives by the United Nations. The UK government has committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector because it works. It’s time for Canada to build on our own co-operative successes.
It’s time our governments commit to creating a more enabling environment for these collective enterprises to grow and thrive across the country.
Canadians deserve an inclusive, resilient and prosperous future. Co-operatives can make that happen. Let’s do it.
Photo courtesy By Collision Conf – https://www.flickr.com/photos/collisionconf/52163753631/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120234818
