On June 26, BCCA sent its submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of the Budget 2021 Consultation. The document acknowledges the challenges BC has faced with the global pandemic and the economic downturn, and how co-ops are at the forefront of these challenges. The recommendations in the submission outline how … Continued
On June 1, 2020, the BC Securities Commission made an important change to BC Instrument 45-530, which allows BC co-operatives to sell shares to members without issuing a prospectus. The lifetime limit had been $5,000 since this exemption was introduced in 2001. The new maximum of $10,000 also applies to certain issuances of investment shares. … Continued
Back in April, B.C.’s Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Order 116 to allow co-operative associations to hold their AGMs as fully electronic meetings during the COVID-19 state of emergency. The Ministry is evaluating whether this should be a permanent option and we’re looking for your feedback to help inform this decision. Please complete this short survey by … Continued
At their June 8 meeting, the BCCA Board of Directors approved establishing a relationship with FleishmanHillard HighRoad (FHR) to provide government relations (GR) support on key BCCA initiatives. The FHR team has extensive experience providing strategic advice and support to organizations in a broad range of sectors seeking to influence government decision makers and to secure support … Continued
Daniel Brunette, Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) led our May 8th Co-op Meetup and shared his vast knowledge of federal financial programs and supports are currently available to co-operative businesses. Along with reiterating that co-ops have equal access to all federal COVID-19 emergency financial programs and supports, Daniel highlighted that … Continued
On May 4th, the Lobbyists Transparency Act will come into effect, increasing requiring registration and reporting requirements for all organizations (including co-operatives) that lobby provincial employees or office holders in BC. “Lobbying” is defined broadly. It includes attempting to influence government decisions, such as legislative proposals, bills, resolutions, regulations, programs, policies, directives and guidelines. It … Continued
We recognize and understand that current times are uncertain and that COVID-19 has had a strong impact on everyone, particularly small businesses. Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) recently confirmed that co-operatives will be eligible for the same funding as other businesses from Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses, so long as they qualify for the … Continued
The Agricultural Co-operatives Start-Up Guide was recently updated and re-released (the original 1997 version was written by our own BCCA Executive Director Andrea Harris!). The Ag Co-op Start-Up Guide outlines an easy five-step process to help farmers create a new local co-op, while the complementary Financing Agricultural Co-operatives Guide provides funding options for co-op farms. The updated guides … Continued
Community Foundations of Canada, the Chantier de l’économie sociale, and their regional partners including the Vancouver Foundation have launched their Investment Readiness Programs (IRP). Applications will be accepted from Jan 8 2020 12:00 AM (EST) to Feb 10 2020 08:00 PM (EST). IRP offers funding between $10,000 to $100,000 to support social purpose organizations, which includes co-ops, … Continued
BCCA and BC Registries and Online Services Partnership The BCCA is excited to have engaged with BC Registries and Online Services (Ministry of Citizens’ Services) who have just started a multi-phase Modernization Initiative to replace and improve all BC Registry online applications for co-ops, so that it will be easier to complete filings and transactions, manage … Continued