* About 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 co-operatives.
On this page ...
- How to contact or locate On Co-op
- How to find an Ontario co-op or credit union
- How to find information on our website
- Introduction to On Co-op
Our Four Strategic Areas - The Co-operative Network
- See also the FastLinks at right
FIND On Co-op/CONTACT US. To contact On Co-op staff by phone, fax or email, or to obtain our street address click here. This link can also be found on every page in the FastLinks section.
FIND A CO-OP IN YOUR COMMUNITY. There are more than 1300 co-ops in Ontario, with 1900 locations in 400 communities. To locate any co-operative or credit union in Ontario, or to search by keyword, address or postal code click here. On Co-op is the only organization (private or governement) in Ontario that maintains a comprehensive and current listing of all active co-operatives and credit unions!
FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE. To find information on any topic we've entered into the On Co-op website (current or archived), type a key word into the search box at the top of the menu column on the left. Examples: health, CYL, social economy, census, energy, government, directions.
INTRODUCTION TO ON CO-OP
The best way to learn about the Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) is to browse the pages of our website. This introductory page is a great place to start your tour of the Ontario Co-operative Association, learn about our members and the co-op sector in Ontario... and beyond.
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. See below to learn more about our work in these four strategic areas.
On Co-op is the hub of information for, and about, Ontario’s co-operatives and credit unions. It is a resource on the capacity of the sector, speakers and training,
On Co-op is the only organization to bring together ALL of Ontario’s 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 (Co-op Principle #6). 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 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 based in Ontario and/or do business in Ontario. Many of On Co-op's members are associations or federations of co-operatives (such as GROWMARK, Inc., OPPCEO, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and OSEA) or credit unions (Central 1 Credit Union and Credit Union Central of Canada). Through our membership, we represent approximately 75% 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 members are based in Ontario and/or do business in Ontario. On Co-op is itself a co-operative, and was originally formed in 1989 as CCA Ontario Region.
FOUR STRATEGIC AREAS
Lifelong Co-operative Learning Sewing the seeds of co-op education and participation, and teaching future co-op leaders.
- Programs include the Co-op Management Certificate Program, CYL and CIEP.
- CYL, On co-op's youth engagement and leadership program, teaches young people valuable skills in co-operation and leadership to create the next generation of leaders for our co-ops and credit unions. And through programs such as our innovative Co-operative Internship Experience Program (CIEP), we offer education, training and co-op exposure to help youth get employed (and remain employed) in co-ops. A Certificate managment program, supported by an e-learning platform, is currently being developed.
Government Relations Forging and strengthening relationships between the co-op sector and all levels of government.
- Programs include the Co-operatives Secretariat, Queen's Park/MPP Reception, e-advocacy and the White Paper on Co-op Development.
- On Co-op takes the lead in advocating for new government programs and policies that support the growth of co-ops. We provided input into Ontario’s Co-operative Corporations Act, and are the only body to meet with FSCO regarding changes to the Act and the regulations.
Co-operative Development Facilitating the establishment of co-ops, and helping established co-ops grow.
- Programs include Co-op Development grants, informative FactSheets and Toolkits on a variety of co-op topics, and co-op consulting and guidance.
- On Co-op provides technical assistance and advisory/development services to any co-op, whether existing or new. On co-op also offers human and financial resources to co-ops wishing to find new ways to meet the changing needs of their members or their communities.
Communications and Member Relations Enhancing understanding of co-ops, and providing networking opportunities within the sector.
- On Co-op offers its members an important forum for dialogue on issues of common concern, and a vehicle for effectively addressing the challenges faced by all types of co-ops. Through print and electronic communication channels, as well as member meetings and provincial conferences, co-op information is sent to - and between - co-ops, stakeholders, academics and public policy makers.
THE CO-OPERATIVE NETWORK
On Co-op is one of nine affiliated provincial co-operative associations which serve co-operatives and co-op member organizations across Canada. (To learn more about the other associations, click here.)
- Click here to view a flowchart of the Co-operative System.
The Ontario Co-operative Association is a member of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA), which is a national trade association for co-operatives that focuses on the promotion of co-operative enterprise. CCA is located in Ottawa. Through CCA, On Co-op is linked to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and the worldwide co-operative movement. (In Canada, there are two national co-op associations: CCA, which represents the sector in English Canada, and le Conseil Canadien de la Cooperation, (CCC) which represents French-language co-ops).
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 Ontario Rural Council
- Foundation for Rural Living
- Agricultural Adaptation Council
- Association of Co-operative Educators
- Co-op Zone
- Co-op Communicators Association
- Association of Co-operative Educators (ACE)
