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
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
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
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