Discover Co-ops

Last month at the Worlding Feminist Economic Symposium at the University of Toronto, conversations around co‑operative economics, ROSCAs, art, and the law revealed a truth our sector rarely says out loud: communities have been building co‑operation long before formal co‑ops existed. From lending circles and mutual aid networks to informal shared‑wealth systems, people have always created ways to meet collective needs when institutions fall short.

Co‑operatives are powerful engines for social and economic change — but in Canada, we’re still far from tapping into their full potential. We know the co‑operative model works. We know it’s built on values and principles that centre community, democracy, and sustainability. And yet, when it comes to inclusion, many co‑ops struggle to understand what it looks like, how to measure it, and most importantly, how to act on it.

Good governance can make or break a co‑operative. It shapes how decisions are made, how members are served, and how the organization adapts to challenges and opportunities. At the center of that governance system are directors - members entrusted with stewarding the co‑op’s mission, assets, and long‑term health. And the single most effective way to strengthen a board is through ongoing education and training.