As credit unions work tirelessly to respond to the needs of their communities and members, we are seeing many stepping in to provide financial relief programs and other solutions in response to the crisis. For example, Ladysmith & District Credit Union has immediately made available up to $1,000,000 in Emergency Relief Term Loans for existing … Continued
Welcome to our newest series “We Are Co-ops” in which we profile our diverse membership and demonstrate the innovation the flexible co-op model supports and enables! This week we are featuring The YES and sharing their inspiring live story of dealing with COVID-19, keeping their members and community at the centre of all they do, … Continued
Welcome to our newest series “We Are Co-ops” in which we profile our diverse membership and demonstrate the innovation the flexible co-op model supports and enables! Meet one of our newest members, Peace Energy Cooperative (Peace Energy). Based in Dawson Creek, BC, Peace Energy is the first for-profit renewable energy community investment co-op (CIC) … Continued
Update March 5 2020: The BCIT Business Executive Field School has been cancelled. Join BCIT for a week in Bologna, Italy this spring as a part of their co-operative Executive Field School! The BCIT Business Executive Field School offers applied learning, guest lectures, rich interactive site visits, and immersion in the co-operative and Italian culture. … 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
Nearly 100 co-op curious pairs of eyes and ears intently absorbed the inspiring words of seven change-making entrepreneurs at the BC Co-operative Association’s inaugural Co-op Week Innovation Forum. Tying together the themes of Co-op Week, the then upcoming federal elections and the release of the M-100 study from earlier this year, the Innovation Forum … Continued
BC Co-operative Association appoints new executive director Vancity director of member and community insights seconded for one-year term April 15, 2019, Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Co-operative Association (BCCA) is pleased to announce Andrea Harris as its new executive director. Harris is temporarily leaving her position with Vancity for a one-year secondment … Continued
The demand and necessity to invest for impact, globally and locally, is on the rise. However, current investment options and regulations in BC & Canada significantly restrict Canadians from investing in local opportunities. The result is that nearly all investment capital leaves local communities and is placed into far-off stock markets and corporations. This … Continued
We love co-op week, for obvious reasons – but also because it’s a great opportunity to get together and celebrate the diversity and potential of co-ops and credit unions across this province. There are plenty of events happening throughout the week that you can take part in to learn more about the sector (and have … Continued
While in Victoria for this year’s AGM, the BCCA staff took the opportunity to visit several members and other co-ops on Vancouver Island. This included tours at Peninsula Co-op, Stocksy United, and Victoria Women in Need Community Co-operative (WIN). Co-ops have the ability to address social issues on a community level while providing better ways … Continued