The Latest News From Canada's Worker Co-op Sector
November 2020 Volume 12 Issue 11
In This Issue

  • Executive Director's Report — on CWCF's Virtual AGM, by Hazel Corcoran
  • Introductory Training: What Is a Worker Co-op? November 27
  • Kootenay Bakery Cafe' Co-operative Has a Recipe for Success, by Kenzie Love
  • Practical Steps Towards Dismantling Racism, by Kenzie Love
  • Welcome, Thetis Island Farm Co-operative
  • Shop in Solidarity This Holiday Season
  • Update on the Parcours Training Program
  • What's New on CWCF's Social Media
  • Planet Bean Does Good With Gryphon Coffee Blend
  • Executive Education Course: Excellence in Member Centric-Governance and Management
  • Jocelyn Lessard, Médaille de L'Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec
  • Paul-Yvon Blanchette, Récipiendaire 2020 de l’Ordre du Mérite coopératif du Québec
  • How Foodsters United is Organizing Canada's Gig Economy
Executive Director's Report — on CWCF's Virtual AGM
By Hazel Corcoran
CWCF held its first-ever virtual AGM on November 13th, joined by over 60 participants including many of our members as well as those who came to hear our special guest speaker, Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard.

Introductory Training: What Is a Worker Co-op?
November 27, 2020 at 12:00 noon ET (9 am PT/ 10 am MT/ 11 am CT / 1 pm AT / 1:30 NT)
Presented by Hazel Corcoran

This free introductory training in the cooperative enterprise covers the 4 main types of cooperatives and more specifically covers all the aspects affecting the functioning of a cooperative managed by workers: internal organization, legal guidelines, capital structure, conditions for success, etc. This training is for entrepreneurs, potential new members of cooperatives, and the curious, and is primarily for those who may have interest in the Parcours training program; see below.

Register here.
Kootenay Bakery Cafe' Co-operative Has Found a Recipe for Success
By Kenzie Love
In the almost 20 years since it set up shop in Nelson, BC, the Kootenay Bakery Cafe' Cooperative has developed a reputation for nourishing food and a welcoming environment. The Cafe' has always emphasized customer service — with the understanding that what’s good for its customers is good for its employees too.
Practical Steps Towards Dismantling Racism
By Kenzie Love
In contrast to its American counterpart, which has seen considerable growth among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) communities in recent years, Canada’s worker co-op sector remains largely White, with little evidence that this is changing. Diversity and inclusion have been identified as priorities, but as Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard argued in her recent presentation at CWCF’s AGM, diversity and inclusion aren’t enough; racial equity is what's needed. So what additional steps can organizations such as CWCF take?

Welcome, Thetis Island Farm Co-operative
CWCF is pleased to welcome into its membership Thetis Island Farm Co-op. Thetis Island Farm Co-operative is a multi-stakeholder, producers’ co-op set up to create meaningful food production and livelihood opportunities for Island residents; increase Island food production; and ensure greater food security by creating a market-hub for residents and visitors around food and community well-being.
Shop in Solidarity This Holiday Season
Many of us won’t be able to gather with family and friends this holiday season, but one way we can still remain connected is by exchanging gifts. Purchasing these gifts from worker co-ops, meanwhile, is an opportunity for our members to support each other and others to support worker co-ops at a time when, despite the resilience they’ve shown, many are facing the same struggles as traditional small businesses. It’s a way of living out the sixth co-op principle, cooperation among co-ops, while also strengthening the communities they serve.
Update on the Parcours Training Program
CWCF is working actively with le Réseau COOP in Quebec to adapt their worker co-op training program to English Canada, and we expect to launch it in mid to late February. It’s called le Parcours COOP, loosely translated as “Co-op Journey.” This program offers entrepreneurs a framework for setting up their worker co-operative, with the aim of increasing the success of these projects through structured support.

Planet Bean Does Good With Gryphon Coffee Blend
This video celebrates Planet Bean's Gryphon Blend made with Fairtrade Organic beans grown exclusively by women in Peru and Sumatra through Cafe Femenino. The Blend also supports women’s athletic scholarships at the University of Guelph.
What's New on CWCF's Social Media
Do you like puppies? Do you like the solidarity economy? Then this is the post for you — and it's just one of the many engaging posts we feature regularly on our Instagram page. Check it out and if you're not already following us on Instagram and Facebook, be sure to do so now for lots more great content!
Executive Education Course: Excellence in Member Centric-Governance and Management
Join us for this engaging online course on Excellence in Member-centric Governance and Management. Designed for seasoned decision-makers and emerging leaders from any sector or type of co-operative, all will benefit from this knowledge-rich course.

Jocelyn Lessard, Médaille de L'Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec
La « Médaille de l'Ordre » est remise annuellement à un ingénieur forestier qui, par ses qualités personnelles et ses différentes réalisations, aura marqué de façon significative l'avancement et le rayonnement de la profession, et ce, tout au long de sa carrière. Cette année, l'Ordre a choisi de remettre la « Médaille de l'Ordre » à monsieur Jocelyn Lessard, ing.f.

Au cours de sa riche et diversifiée carrière professionnelle, toujours active, Jocelyn Lessard a démontré un engagement constant à l'égard d'une foresterie de coopération, pensée et mise en œuvre par et pour les gens. Il a œuvré et porté sa contribution, tant à l'échelle locale sur le terrain, que nationale, voire même internationale, en forêt privée, communautaire et publique.


La FCCT trouve cette reconnaissance très méritée. Félicitations, Jocelyn!!
Paul-Yvon Blanchette, Récipiendaire 2020 de l’Ordre du Mérite coopératif du Québec
Derrière plusieurs portes de la ville de Québec se trouvent des familles et des commerces qui ont vu leur qualité de vie augmenter. Grâce au remarquable travail de la coopérative Constructions Ensemble, leur bâtiment est devenu plus sécuritaire, plus durable. « Se promener dans la ville et y voir toutes ces maisons où nous sommes intervenus me rend très fier », raconte Paul-Yvon Blanchette.  

En effet, M. Blanchette est un membre fondateur de Constructions Ensemble. ... Il s’est également impliqué dans la création de nombreuses coops dans la région de la Capitale-Nationale. Surnommé affectueusement « Monsieur Ensemble », il est récipiendaire 2e degré de l’Ordre du Mérite coopératif et mutualiste du Québec, édition 2020.


La FCCT rend hommage à Paul-Yvon aussi; félicitations!!
How Foodsters United is Organizing Canada's Gig Economy
After unionizing gig economy workers, Ontario’s courier union Foodsters United found themselves without an employer when Foodora filed for bankruptcy. Now they’re exploring how worker cooperatives could use the efficiency of platform structures to bypass corporate exploitation.
The Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) is a national, bilingual grassroots membership organization of and for worker co-operatives, related types of co-operatives (multi-stakeholder co-ops and worker-shareholder co-ops), and organizations that support the growth and development of worker cooperatives. CWCF's e-newsletter is available free of charge to anyone with an e-mail address and an interest in worker co-operative developments in Canada. Please send any comments and suggestions, or news about your co-op, to:  

Kenzie Love
Editor of CWCF Newsletter 
(403) 276-8250 
CWCF | 104 402 30 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2E3 | 403-276-8250 |