Co-op and credit union owners are a special bunch. They’re social entrepreneurs who care about having successful businesses, delivering quality products and services in their local economies, and strengthening their communities.

They’re also big-picture innovators who want to be a part of the new economy and make positive, lasting contributions to society. Starting a co-op can be your entry point to becoming one of these changemakers.

BC is the Place to Be for Co-ops

• British Columbia has one of the most vibrant co-operative movements in Canada, with almost 700 co-op businesses and growing
• BC is home to some of Canada’s largest, most established and innovative co-ops and credit unions such as MEC, Vancity Credit Union, and Stocksy — and they’re all BCCA members
• The BCCA offers extensive support to prospective co-op startups through the comprehensive Cultivating Co-ops Guide, free introductory consulting services with professional co-op developers, and the Cooperate Now start-up bootcamp

The Co-op Business Model is Solid

• Co-ops are incorporated businesses with legal rights, protections and obligations, and are set up to fare just as well as traditional businesses in the marketplace
• Total membership in BC co-operatives exceeds 2 million people; collectively, these people control more than $48 billion in assets through ownership of their co-ops
• Research shows that co-ops often fair better than traditional businesses over the long term.  

Co-ops Balance People and Profits

• The co-op model balances the need for your co-op business to make a profit with the needs of the people in your community
• Depending on the type of co-op you establish, profits from your business may be distributed to co-op members through patronage payments
• That money stays and circulates in your community, further benefitting and strengthening your local economy