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
UPDATE April 1st, 2020 As of March 31st, 2020, BC Registry Services has stated that AGM deferrals are now automatic – organizations do not have to apply for deferrals. COVID-19 and Co-operative AGMs Following the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Provincial Health Officer and B.C. Health Minister, as well as Health Canada … 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
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
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
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
Rudia Nam is a third-year UBC student majoring in International Relations and a member of the 2018-19 Co-ops in Schools (CIS) cohort. She shares her experience as a member of the Young Leader Delegate at the 2019 Global Alliance for Banking on Values Summit. As one of the thirty-five young leader delegates … 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
Co-ops in Schools (CIS) is a province-wide initiative that the BCCA runs annually to increases youth awareness of the co-operative model and sector. This professional mentorship program provides students with the opportunity to learn from mentors who champion and work directly with the co-op model. It fosters the development of productive, ongoing relationships between youth and … Continued