Co-operative businesses have an important economic role to play in creating jobs and generating growth in communities across Canada. Existing in every sector of the economy, co-operatives provide needed infrastructure, goods and services to Canadians. In 2022, there were a total of 5,616 active non-financial co-operatives in Canada. They held $50.5 billion in total assets, employed 102,038 people, and paid $2.86 billion in salaries and wages.
Services and information
Understanding co-operatives: how they work, types and contributions
Learn about co-operatives, their member-based model, types and financial structure and find out how to convert businesses into co-ops.
Legal establishment and management: creating and operating a co-operative
Discover the steps to establish a co-operative: incorporation, compliance, annual obligations and equitable management.
Turning an idea into a co-operative: steps and resources
Learn the steps for transforming your idea into a co-op, like developing a business plan, and explore resources to support your project.
Research data and reports about co-operatives in Canada
Explore data and reports on Canadian co-ops to understand their social and economic impact.
Discover some of Canada's successful co-operatives and learn about what they do.
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Online training on co-operatives in Canada
Learn more about why people start co-operatives, how they are created, and their impact on the Canadian economy.
Discover inspiring success stories of co-operatives across Canada and the positive impact of the co-operative model on our communities.
Curious about co-operatives? Quiz
Take the quiz and see how much you know about co-operatives in Canada.