The BC Co-op Association is engaged year-round in advocacy and lobbying efforts. We also lead key initiatives to address large-scale issues and aim to find solutions that will benefit all co-op sector players.

CURRENT INITIATIVE: Investment Co-op Regulation Changes

Investment co-ops and co-ops that offer investment shares (such as working co-ops) are governed by strict BC Government Securities Commission policies and exceptions.

These exceptions limit:

• How much membership shares can cost in total per member ($5,000 max)
• The number of members obtaining shares (150 members max)
• When they can invest (a co-op member must wait 12 months from the time they become a member before they can purchase shares)

While these exceptions were put in place to lower the co-op investment risk for members/investors, they ultimately limit an investment co-op’s ability to increase capital beyond $750,000, and they slow down the potential for timely returns on investment.

The BC Co-op Association (BCCA) is working with other groups in the community investment sector to advocate for policy changes to increase these figures. These changes will double the potential investment of capital for investment co-ops and bring capital into a co-op much faster. What we’re advocating for:

• A membership share cost increase from $5,000 to $10,000
• An increase in the number of members, from 150 to 200
• Removal of the 12-month waiting period for new members to invest

We’re actively engaged in this advocacy initiative. Stay tuned to this page for updates.