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.
Success stories
Discover some of Canada's successful co-operatives and learn about what they do.
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Associated links
Features
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.
Success stories
Discover inspiring success stories of cooperatives from Quebec, and the positive impact of the cooperative model on our communities.
Curious about co-operatives? Quiz
Take the quiz and see how much you know about co-operatives in Canada.