Below, we have compiled a series of questions that often come up that we cannot directly assist with. We have included contact information for you to try and get the help you need.
HOW DO I RESOLVE AN ISSUE OR COMPLAINT WITH A HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE?
OCA is not qualified to provide advice or direction on issues related to co-operative housing. If you have a specific question, issue, concern or complaint regarding a housing co-operative, or if you are looking for accommodations within a housing co-operative, please contact the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region (CHF Canada, Ontario Region) toll free at 1.800.268.2537, or by email at [email protected]. If your housing co-op is a member of CHF, you may also access their library of resources online here.
HOW DO I FIND A HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TO LIVE IN?
Here at OCA we can't help you find a housing co-op to live in. You need to contact CHF Canada, Ontario Region toll free at 1.800.268.2537, or use their listing to find a specific co-op housing unit in your area.
HOW DO I FIND INFORMATION REGARDING SHARES WITH THE UNITED CO-OPERATIVES OF ONTARIO?
OCA is not the successor to - nor the offshoot of - the United Co-operatives of Ontario (UCO). The assets of UCO were acquired by GROWMARK, Inc. in the mid-1990s. GROWMARK bought some of the assets but did not buy the company or its shares. As a result, there is no value in UCO shares. Any inquiries related to UCO should be directed to the GROWMARK, Inc. head office located in Guelph at 519.821.5640 or email [email protected].
HOW DO I FIND A SPECIFIC CO-OPERATIVE?
OCA has developed a free, extensive "Find-a-Co-op" searchable database of all co-operatives in Ontario. Click here to access it now! Please be aware that the contact information we have listed for each co-op is the only information we have been provided with and may not be up to date. If you would like to make a correction to any of the information provided, please email [email protected].
WHO REGULATES CO-OPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS?
The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (Service Ontario) - is responsible for the incorporation and regulations of non-financial co-operatives in Ontario.
The Financial Securities Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) - an agency of the Ministry of Finance - is responsible for overseeing the Offering Statement process for With-Share Captal co-operatives.
Click here to learn more.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE CO-OPERATIVE CORPORATIONS ACT?
The Act can be found here. To request an electronic copy of OCA's Guide to the Act, click here.
I AM INTERESTED IN STARTING A CO-OPERATIVE, WHO CAN I TALK TO?
OCA has a Co-op Development Manager on site that can assist you. Please contact Peter Cameron at 1.888.745.5521 x 23 or at [email protected], to set up an appointment to chat about your ideas and business plan.
HOW DO I FIND A CO-OP PLACEMENT?
People often associate the word "co-op" with a "co-op placement" - a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience that provides academic credit for structured job experience. OCA is a provincial trade association (similar to a Chamber of Commerce) for Ontario's co-operative businesses. We are not an agency that provides students with co-op placements. Contact the Co-op Education Centre at your local college or university to inquire about co-op placements in your region. To learn more about the co-operative model of business, click here.
If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us at 1.888.745.5521 or email [email protected]