Thoughts and success stories

Locally and independently owned grocery retailers are often forced to compete against major chains without the benefits of being a major chain themselves. Many of…

The legalization of cannabis in Canada hasn’t been the boon to small producers that many expected. It’s been difficult for small cannabis growers to obtain…

Co-ops and the prairies share a history Much of western Canada was settled with the help of co-ops, but they are an often-overlooked (and misunderstood)…

Links mentioned in this episode: Neighbour Lab Victoria community unveils ’emergency bench’ to help bring neighbours together The Thingery Sustaingineering  

Collecting charitable donations is a popular way to raise funds. Money is always better when you don’t have to pay it back, right? Maybe. But…

In this episode we speak to three people about the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association’s annual youth Co-op Camp: an organizer, a participant, and a camp staff member…

People are resourceful in small-town Alberta. In Smoky Lake — population 960 — there had never been a daycare facility, and parents always had to…

In this episode we spoke with Shaun Soonias, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network. Shaun has had a long career in…

Very few people look forward to attending an Annual General Meeting (AGM). Unless you’re part of a small employee-owned co-operative, the percentage of member shareholders…

In this episode we speak with Cecile Green and Rebecca Fisher-McGinty from consulting firm Round Sky Solutions. Round Sky is a worker co-op that trains…

Having to refer to “The Act” is often an unpleasant (but necessary) process for those starting or running a co-op. Let’s look at how to…

In this episode we speak to long-time co-op developer and advocate, Patrick Lapointe. As the former Executive Director (and now board member) of the Community…

Starting a new co-op is exciting, rewarding, and can have far-reaching benefits. It also takes a lot of work. Many business ideas struggle to get…

Co-ops are a tool for sharing During the transition from steam and horse to fossil fuel, the co-op model really began to prove its worth…

Welcome to Season 2 of The Common Share! We’re starting this season with an exciting guest that we know you’ll enjoy. Academic and journalist Nathan…

  Co-ops are great at giving back. In our recent Holiday Podcast, Aasa spoke with some amazing co-operatives in western Canada. Each of them gave us…

Co-ops are great at giving back. In our recent Holiday Podcast, Aasa spoke with some amazing co-operatives in western Canada. Each of them gave us insight…

Co-ops are great at giving back. In our recent Holiday Podcast, Aasa spoke with some amazing co-operatives in western Canada. Each of them gave us…

  The holidays are a time of giving, when people often think about donating to charitable causes. As businesses rooted in their communities, co-ops are…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season — but it’s also time for co-ops to think about audits. Okay, maybe…

Kyle White, one of our in-house policy experts, weighs in on the federal government’s 2018 economic update and what it means for co-ops. The Canadian…