Welcome to On Co-op
The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) develops, unites and promotes co-operatives throughout the province of Ontario. Our mission is to lead, cultivate and connect Ontario's co-operative sector.
[LOCATE] Find any co-operative, credit union or caisse populaire in Ontario.
TO NAVIGATE THIS SITE: (a) Click on one of the program area FASTLINKS at right ; (b) Choose from the MENU at left, or (c) Type a word into the SEARCH OUR SITE box above.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THESE ITEMS:- Discussion begins on the 50% Rule
- On Co-op General Member Meeting
- Co-op Spirit Awards: Nominations are Open + View past Videos
- Shift Happens version 4
- Co-op Development Fund and Investment Plan
- Changes to the Co-op Corporations Act now in Effect
- Are you ready for the Harmonized Sales Tax?
- Co-op Survival Statistics
- Work for a Co-op (Job Board)
- Subscribe to the On Co-op e-newsletter
- Co-ops in Ontario snapshop information
DISCUSSION ON THE 50% RULE. In Ontario, provincially incorporated co-operatives must conduct at least 50 percent of their business with their members. Since co-operatives define themselves as democratic organizations, primarily focusing on providing goods or services to their members, the 50 percent rule can be an essential part of that definition. It is not clear if there is a majority opinion for either retaining or removing the 50% Rule. Read two views here.
ON CO-OP MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS. March 26, 2010 - A notice of meeting has been sent electronically to all organizations which are members of On Co-op. Contact Mark Ventry if you have not received your invitation. More GMM information here. June 22, 2010 - Information on the Annual General Meeting will be released shortly.
Nominations are now open for Ontario's Co-operative Spirit Recognition Awards. Individuals and organizations are eligible, and you can even nominate yourself. More information and the nomination form is here. Become inspired by past Award recipients. Visit the Spirit Award YouTube channel here.
Not sure what “convergance” means? Check out the video we have posted to the On Co-op Facebook page entitled Shift Happens (aka Did You Know, version 4 Sept, 2009.) P.S. While you're visiting our Facebook page, become our Friend. We want to be at 500 or more friends by Friday March 5.
Raise Your Voice for a Co-op Investment Strategy! The Canadian Co-operative Association is asking for your assistance in urging the federal government to bring in measures that will benefit co-operatives and communities across Canada. These measures include:
A Co-operative Investment Plan (CIP) which would provide a tax credit for members or employees of producer and worker or employee-owned co-operative businesses who invest in their own co-op. The CIP has existed in Quebec since 1985 and has helped secure $393 million in much needed new investment for co-operatives.
A Co-operative Development Fund (CDF) which would be a co-op-oriented loan fund that provides conventional term loans and patient capital loans to new and existing co-ops. Investments would be based on an analysis of a co-operative’s business plan and its capacity to pay back loans on the negotiated terms and over a specified period of time.
You can help build a stronger case by sending two letters of support for the Co-op Development Fund & Investment Plan: one letter to your MP and a second letter to Minister Blackburn, with a copy to Minister Flaherty, Minister of Finance. For more information and letter templates, visit: http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/gov_affair/InvestStrategy
Changes to the Ontario Co-operative Corporations Act. Changes were made to our Act December 17, and are effective immediately. The recent passage of the HST Bill in the Ontario legislature made changes to a number of other acts, including the Co-operative Corporations Act. Some of the changes are significant and will provide more effective ways for co-ops to operate and govern themselves. Here is a summary of the changes - more information will be available from On Co-op early in 2010.
Are you ready for the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)? On Co-op has some advice for your Ontario co-op on this new tax, to be implemented July 1, 2010. Click here.
WORK FOR A CO-OP. Check out co-op sector job postings including: Youth Program Co-ordinator for On Co-op, Guelph (updated Feb 18/2010). [JOB BOARD]
CO-OP SURVIVAL REPORTS. [READ REPORTS] A 2008 report by the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export on the survival rate of co-operatives in Québec says that in 2008, the survival rate of co-operatives was 62% after five years and 44% after 10 years, which is consistent with a 1999 study. And, a 2009 International Labour Organization (ILO) report provides compelling evidence that co-ops are more resilient than other business models in times of economic crisis. Read more on these reports.
THE ON CO-OP E-NEWSLETTER. [READ] an easy to read update on news from the Ontario co-operative sector through On Co-op's bi-weekly e-newsletter in PDF format. [SUBSCRIBE] to the interactive version of the e-newsletter.
ONTARIO CO-OP SNAPSHOT INFORMATION
[DOWNLOAD SUMMARY] of information taken from the first ever Census of Ontario Co-operatives and Credit Unions (completed in 2007).
[READ STORY] 'A Day in the Life of Jeff' is an entertaining short story that illustrates some of the social and economic impact of co-ops in Ontario; a background summary of the census project is attached.
Today's On Co-op Member Profile
AG ENERGY CO-OPERATIVE INC.
45 Speedvale Ave E
Guelph , ON N1H 1J2
Tel 519.763.3026 Toll Free 866.818.8828
Fax 519.763.5231
www.agenergy.coop
Ag Energy was formed in 1988 to provide natural gas and other forms of energy to greenhouses. Since then the Co-operative has opened its membership to all agricultural producers and processors in Ontario and now represents half of all greenhouse natural gas consumption in the province. That adds up to approximately one third of all the heat and electricity consumed by all Ontario farm operations. Ag Energy Co-operative, once dubbed “the best kept secret in agriculture,” has grown into Canada’s largest farm energy co-operative.
Year of Incorporation: 1988
Member of On Co-op Since: May 2003
