British Columbia Co-operative Association - Building a Co-operative Economy
The BC Co-operative Association is a member supported, non-profit organization representing the co-op and credit union movement in BC. BCCA promotes co-ops as powerful tools for community control over local economies, and as key strategies for economic and social reform. BCCA is a regional affiliate of the Canadian Co-operative Association, and our mission is to promote the growth and development of the co-operative sector in BC.
- Manitoba Province Strategy to Support Cooperatives
Province Boosts Support to Community Co-operatives by Unveiling New Strategy: Wowchuk
A new Co-operative Development Strategy to help communities create and grow co-op businesses was announced today by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister Rosann Wowchuk.
Through the Co-operative Development Assistance Program launched in 2007, the province provided $65,000 to fund a process that has resulted in the co-operative community developing a vision statement with strategies for its implementation over the next 10 years.
“This strategy is an effective road map that will help guide co-operatives to theirdestination of success,” said Wowchuk. “In the past year, the Manitoba Cooperative Association (MCA), the Economic Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), MAFRI and key stakeholders developed a co-op community strategy. Right now, the partners are working together to design and implement the appropriate resources to help existing and future co-operatives effectively manage their businesses and grow.”
The minister noted the province is working with the co-operative community to create and provide appropriate resources, educational tools and co-ordination to act on co-operative opportunities. The proposed recommendations include:
- provincial funding of up to $80,000 for research to measure the social and economic impact of the co-operative community in Manitoba;
- the creation of an interdepartmental working group to facilitate and support the use of the co‑operative model in delivery of programs and services by all appropriate government departments;
- the development of a strategy steering committee that will include representatives from MCA, CDEM and MAFRI to oversee the continued development and implementation of the co-operative strategy;
“Our partnership with MAFRI and CDEM and our consultations with the public have resulted in an impressive development strategy that will benefit existing, new and future co-operatives and their communities,” said MCA chair Barry Gosnell. “We look forward to implementing the strategy and continuing to build on this progress with our partners.”
“CDEM is very excited and encouraged by the development of this strategy,” said Louis Allain, executive director of the CDEM. “We feel that moving forward with the help of the provincial government will have very positive results for the co-operative community in Manitoba.”
The new Co-operative Development Strategy will soon be available on the MCA website at: www.manitoba.coop
Through MAFRI GO Offices, the province offers assistance to individuals, groups and communities wishing to develop new co-operatives and to existing co-ops looking to expand their operations. Financial programs such as co-operative loan guarantees and co‑op promotion assistance are also available.
- UCCC Incorporates!
October was an exciting month for the Cooperatives and Credit Unions in the Kootenays! On October 28, the Upper Columbia Cooperative Council received its Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies in Victoria, ushering in a new era of cooperation in the region.
The Upper Columbia Co-op Council ( UCCC) has formed to increase collaboration among the region's 80 incorporated co-ops and credit unions. The Council will have a role in helping to promote the co-op model of business to the public, in helping new co-ops to get started, and in raising awareness about how banking and lending institutions, food stores, community service providers and car owners can and contribute to our community's economic development and social well-being by using the co-op model.
The UCCC, the first co-op of its kind in the province, is being looked at as a model for other similar councils in the Lower Mainland. 15 co-ops and credit unions in the region have already provided development support to the Council, which can now open its doors for membership to any incorporated co-op or credit union in Kootenay or Boundary regions.
To celebrate the historic incorporation of this Council, the Executive Director of the BC Co-op Association, Carol Murray, visited the area at the end of October. Carol toured Grandview Heights, the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Co-op in Castlegar ( see photo) co-ops in Nelson, and attended an early evening rendez-vous of local cooperators, hosted by the Co-op Council.
For more information on the Upper Columbia Co-op Council, or to receive a membership application, please contact Zoe Creighton: zcreighton
telus.net - December 2008
- Funeral Co-ops: BC Info Sessions
The purpose of funeral co-ops is to provide funerals at cost and in a compassionate way. On the death of a loved one this is not the time to be making financial decisions about funeral services. People join funeral co-ops now in anticipation of their own deaths at some point in the future as well as that the deaths of those they love. However there is another element and that is that members want to see the funeral co-op alternative available in their communities. They join in solidarity with their fellow citizens.
The funeral business has been changing. In the past funeral homes were often family owned businesses with strong ties to their local community. Increasingly funeral homes are owned by large corporations such as SCI which is the largest provider of funerals in North America with their home office located in Houston, Texas. Often when these corporations buy a family owned funeral home they keep the family name on the door so people are not even aware that the business is now owned by a large corporation.
There is, however, a well established co-op alternative to corporate funeral business – funeral co-operatives. Funeral co-ops in Quebec have created a very successful funeral co-op movement that is sophisticated and growing. A network of over 30 funeral co-ops provides approximately 17% of all funerals in Quebec. This model functions very well in smaller communities. In PEI there are seven small funeral co-ops, however the model can also be successful in larger cities. In Gatineau, Quebec the funeral co-op has over 11,000 members and provides 65% of all funerals in their region. The largest funeral co-operative is in the City of Quebec with over 25,000 members and a 50% market share.
There are almost no funeral co-ops west of the Quebec border except for Sudbury, Ontario and Steinbach, Manitoba and one that is being launched in Regina.
The funeral co-op movement in Quebec has created their own federation to provide the local co-ops with various services. Working with the Canadian Co-operative Association the Quebec Federation of Funeral Co-operatives has offered to share their expertise for free to any interested groups across Canada. The first step is to set up public meetings to discuss the funeral co-op concept.
The BCCA is coordinating the visit of a representative from the Federation of Funeral Co-ops of Quebec to speak on the topic of funeral cooperatives in the New Year in three BC communities outside of the lower mainland.
If your community organization is interested in holding such a presentation please contact Karla at the BCCA at coop_development
bcca.coop or tel. 604-662-3906.
- CWCF Board Election Results
Board Elections at CWCF’s AGM on November 14th in Winni