One of the defining features that has always inspired me about the co-operative model is Principle 6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives – the idea that co-ops strengthen one another, and the broader movement, by working together.

Across British Columbia, co-operatives are doing remarkable work – creating good jobs, strengthening communities, and providing essential services in ways that reflect co-operative values. Yet even as the sector continues to grow and evolve, many of the opportunities before us depend on how effectively we collaborate across sectors, regions, and organizations.

This theme of collaboration feels especially timely right now. The newly released 2025 Top Co-op Issues Survey Report from the Canadian Centre for the Study of Cooperatives identifies collaboration across the sector as one of the top three challenges facing co-operatives today. Many co-ops want to work more closely together – to share knowledge, build partnerships, and tackle common challenges – but creating opportunities to connect across the movement can be difficult.

That’s one of the reasons we created Co-op Connect, BCCA’s virtual tradeshow for the co-operative sector.

Co-op Connect brings co-operatives together online to showcase their work, share ideas, and discover opportunities to collaborate. Through short presentations and interactive sessions, co-ops from across the province and sectors have the chance to learn about one another’s innovations, services, and impact. When we understand what other co-ops are doing and where our work intersects, new possibilities for collaboration emerge.

I hope many of you will be able to join us for Co-op Connect and be part of these conversations.

I would also like to invite members to save the date for BCCA’s Annual General Meeting on May 27, which will be held virtually. The AGM is an important opportunity to reflect on the past year, look ahead to the future, and reconnect with the community of co-operatives that make up BCCA.

And finally, I’m excited to share that BCCA will be hosting a provincial co-operative conference in Abbotsford on September 17 and 18. We are currently building an inspiring lineup of speakers from across the co-operative movement and designing the conference to be highly interactive. In addition to thought-provoking keynote sessions, participants will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and work together on real challenges and opportunities facing the co-operative sector today.

It promises to be an energizing opportunity to reconnect, learn from one another, and explore what greater collaboration across the sector could make possible.

Thank you for the work you do every day to demonstrate the power of co-operation in your communities. I look forward to continuing this work together.

Questions? Email us at connect@bcca.coop