Government Relations
On Co-op is the voice of English-speaking co-operatives to Ontario's provincially-elected representatives, government staff and co-op and credit union regulators. We profile our members and promote the diversity and socio-economic impact of the Ontario co-operative sector.
As a provincial co-op association, On Co-op speaks for its members and the Ontario co-operative movement in a loud, clear voice. In this way, On Co-op is able to influence co-operative public policy and legislation, and tackle regulatory issues that would be far too difficult for any one co-op organization or sector to co-ordinate on its own. On Co-op brings about change through a variety of initiatives on behalf of the entire Ontario co-operative movement.
USING THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR AS A PLATFORM FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 to be the International Year of Co-operatives, in recognition of the diversity and social and economic contribution of the co-operative movement around the world. On Co-op is using the world-wide attention that the International Year is bringing to urge government to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives.
RECOGNITION OF IYC 2012 BY THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
On behalf of the Premier of Ontario, Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, sent On Co-op a congratulatory letter stating that, "our government recognizes the importance of co-operative initiatives [and] the significant contributions that ... co-operatives make to the economic and socio-economic well-being of the province." Read the full text of the letter here.
- On Oct. 20th, 2010, Liz Sandals, MPP, made a statement in the provincial legislature honouring co-op week and the co-op sector in Ontario. Head over to the news item to find out more.
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Thanks to the efforts of MPP Ted McMeekin, the Ontario legislature endorsed in principle the investigation and establishment of a Co-operatives Secretariat by their unanimous support of Resolution # 33 on December 14, 2006
PROVINCIAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 6, 2011
2011 is an election year, and On Co-op is making it our mission to urge the province to support the declaration of the International Year of Co-operatives, through the formation of a public and co-operative partnership, thereby acknowledging the co-operative model as a viable social and economic business model in Ontario.
As part of our pre-election campaign strategy, we have created new tools and resources, so that members of the Ontario co-operative community can become engaged and help do the “ask” for the entire sector and on a local level. The more awareness we can raise about the co-operatives in communities across the province, the more our government will recognize the benefits of a partnership with the co-op sector.
Check out our new “Co-op Advocacy Centre” which includes:
- A brand new E-Advocacy tool … to contact your MPP and election candidate with the click of a mouse!
- An up-to-date listing of Ontario’s 1,300 co-ops divided by electoral riding
- A variety of other tools and resources to make co-op advocacy as simple as possible
CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES BUILD A BETTER ONTARIO
On Co-op has developed a new Executive Brief, reminding the Ontario Government that the UN has declared 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives and asking them to help create a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives. (See the 'Related Documents' link at right to download the Executive Brief, entitled 'Co-ops Matter to Ontario'.)
The 12-page brief identifies five key asks:
- Building a public and co-operative partnership
- Creating financial incentives
- Contributing to a co-operative development fund
- Improving the regulatory and policy environment
- Increasing awaress of the co-operative enterprise business model
Easy to read toolkits, largely based on the original White Paper on Co-operative Development and the Wish List, [download those documents from the 'Related Documents' link at right] have been created to help you preparre for meetings and events with MPPS and election candidates. To learn more about the White Paper, enter "White Paper" [with quotes] in the search box at the top of this page.
LEGISLATION
Most co-operatives operating in Ontario are incorporated under the province's Co-operative Corporations Act. Credit unions and caisses populaires are incorporated under the Credit Union and Caisses Populaires Act. Co-ops and credit unions are both regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), which falls under the Ministry of Finance.
COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS
Through its Government Relations Committee, On Co-op convenes sector representatives—co-op members, stakeholders and their staff—to plan programming and discuss issues. The Regulations and Legislation Committee meets as needed to address changes in co-op legislation and regulations. Regular meetings are held with FSCO and other government agencies.
On Co-op's sector-wide consulations formed the basis of a White Paper on Co-operative Development. The White Paper contains one key recommendation to the Ontario government: the creation of a provincial Co-operatives Secretariat.
