The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) is a resource and common voice for Ontario credit unions and co-operatives in the areas of co-operative development, government relations, membership and communications, and lifelong co-operative learning. Our mission is to lead, cultivate and connect co-operatives.

On Co-op is the hub of information for, and about, Ontario’s English-speaking co-operatives and credit unions. It is a resource on the capacity of the sector, speakers and training.  On Co-op is a co-operative with a membership base of over 60 co-ops, federations and sector stakeholders. See our membership and governance pages for more information.

On Co-op is the only organization to bring together ALL of Ontario’s English-speaking co-operatives and credit unions for education, support, development, information-sharing and celebration. By fostering cross-sector networking, On Co-op promotes co-operation amongst co-operatives. And, by working and acting together as a co-ordinated group, Ontario's co-ops have a higher profile with the public, government and each other. The Association encourages diversity in its membership—everyone adds something, and everyone learns something!

The Members, Supporters, Friends and stakeholders of On-Co-op include agriculture, finance, insurance, consumer, energy, child care, housing, transportation and social co-operatives as well as co-op developers and funders, lawyers and other co-op champions. Individual co-ops, co-op associations/federations, and sector stakeholders and partners are also part of the Association.

Members are generally based in Ontario and/or do business in Ontario. Much of On Co-op's membership is made up of associations or federations of co-operatives (such as GROWMARK, Inc., OPPCEO, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Student Co-operative Housing Association and the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation) or credit unions (Central 1 Credit Union and Credit Union Central of Canada). Through our membership, we represent approximately 85% of English-speaking co-operatives in Ontario.

Co-operatives, credit unions, caisses populaires, co-op associations/federations, co-op champions and sector stakeholders and partners may join the Association. Individuals may also join. On Co-op is itself a co-operative, created in 2002. It was originally formed in 1989 as CCA Ontario Region.

On Co-op is one of nine CCA-affiliated provincial co-operative associations which serve co-operatives and co-op member organizations across Canada. On Co-op also works closely with its Ontario Francophone counterpart - le Conseil de la cooperation de l'Ontario (CCO).

The Ontario Co-operative Association is also member of the following organizations:

• The Canadian Co-operative Association
• Canadian Economic Development Network
• Consiel de la Cooperation de l'Ontario (CCO)
• Rural Ontario Institute
• Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
• Ontario Business Educators Association
• Association of Co-operative Educators
• Agricultural Adaptation Council
• Co-op Zone
• Co-operative Communicators Association
• Guelph Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Co-operative Association is a proud supporter of   

Please note that On Co-op is not the successor to -nor offshoot of -  the United Co-operatives of Ontario (UCO). The assets of UCO were acquired by GROWMARK, Inc. in the mid-1990's.  Any inquiries related to UCO should be directed to the Kitchener, Ontario offices of GROWMARK at 519-895-4200.

On Co-op develops, unites and promotes co-operatives throughout the province of Ontario.