Co-operation Virtual Institutes Begin June 15 The Association of Co-operative Educators (ACE) and Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) are partnering to offer Co-operation Virtual Institutes beginning June 15. The overall theme for Phase 1 (June 15-24) is how co-ops can be leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond in areas such as employment, health care, [...]
Gay Lea Foods Distributes 1,400 Baking Kits For families taking on home baking, long-time co-operative Gay Lea Foods is delivering baking kits to spread some joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 1,400 kits, one to represent each of the farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, are being sent to families in the Greater Toronto area, [...]
Co-operation is replacing hyper-partisanship as Canadian politicians respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Can this become the "new normal?" And how will co-operative federalism work to tackle the glaring gaps in long-term care and paid sick leave for workers who fear losing income so show up ill and spread the virus? We asked Jody Wilson-Raybould, the [...]
People’s Co-op Bookstore is 75 and Going Strong! Canada’s oldest independent bookstore is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To that end, the People’s Co-op Bookstore in Vancouver, is launching a fundraising drive so that it can keep going for another 75 years! The bookstore has re-opened with physical distancing measures in place and limited [...]
In 1996, members of Saskatoon's Riversdale neighbourhood created a community-based organization to help youth engage in creative economic activities based on the co-operative principles and environmentalism. Since then, the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op has evolved into a program that offers high school credits, skill development, leadership and empowerment. The philosophy of CNYC can best be [...]
Paid Work in BC’s Non-Profit Housing Sector A new Housing Match website has been launched to pair people laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak and non-profit housing organizations requiring staff to provide essential services. Thanks to the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, Vancity and catalyst Community Developments, this initiative comes at the right time for [...]
Vancity Cuts Credit Card Rates to Zero In a first for any financial institution, Vancity will be temporarily dropping its credit card interest rates to zero percent to help those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. CEO and President Tamara Vrooman says having access to credit for groceries, medicine and other purchases is critical for many [...]
Co-ops Can Access Government Support Co-ops and Mutuals Canada confirms that co-operatives will be eligible for the same funding as other businesses from Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Key highlights of the plan include: -eliminating the payroll tax for three months by providing a 10% wage subsidy to small businesses; -deferring tax payments until August [...]
Co-ops Pitching In To Stem Covid-19 Challenges Co-ops are all always concerned about their communities and are stepping up to help neighbours during the current Covid-19 outbreak. The Calgary Co-op is offering free care packages to people ordered quarantined by public health officials. The packages contain non-perishable food essentials and are available until April 15. [...]
Calgary Co-op To Expand Again The Calgary Co-op is planning to purchase a shopping plaza known as Marda Loop Village and develop an urban grocery store, residential, retail and commercial spaces. Co-op spokesman Damon Tanzola says the new grocery store will have a smaller format than traditional stores, but still offer a variety of fresh [...]
