The Latest News From Canada's Worker Co-op Sector
October 2020 Volume 12 Issue 10
In This Issue

  • Webinar: Building a Resilient and Equitable Economy Post-Covid
  • CWCF AGM November 13, with Special Guest Speaker Jessica Gordon-Nembhard
  • Other News from CWCF
  • CWCF and Democratic Member Control, by Kenzie Love and Hazel Corcoran
  • What's New on CWCF's Social Media
  • Worker Co-ops May Have Advantages in Dealing With Pandemic's Psychological Impact, by Kenzie Love
  • SSG Helps Plan for a Fossil Fuel Free Future, by Kenzie Love
  • La Siembra's New Packaging Design Features Canadian Worker Co-op Identity!
  • Mother of Indigenous Social Enterprise: Louise Champagne and Neechi Commons
  • Co-operators Launches Co-op Impact Program
Webinar: Building a Resilient and Equitable Economy Post-Covid, presented by Eric Tusz-King
This Friday, October 23 - 12 pm ET

Worker co-operatives, and co-operatives in general, are more resilient than corporately and privately owned businesses to many economic challenges. How have they done in the midst of a global pandemic, an economic and climate crisis? There is good news here for renewing our commitment to the growth of worker co-operatives in Canada and various other countries. Will worker co-operatives pick up the banner of hope against these global challenges? Free for CWCF members (email Kaye Grant at communications@canadianworker.coop to get your discount code). $20 for non-members.

Special Guest Speaker Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard Will Present at CWCF's AGM
CWCF's AGM will take place November 13 at 12 noon ET via Zoom. We are pleased to welcome a guest speaker, Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, who will present on racial justice with a focus on "Diversity and Inclusion Aren't Enough: Practical Tools for Worker Co-ops and the Worker Co-op Movement". There is no charge to attend the talk or the AGM, but registration is required.
Other News from CWCF
  • CWCF is pleased to welcome into its membership Wayfinders Business Co-operative of Edmonton, a management support services platform co-op.
  • CWCF will continue to offer our modified Technical Assistance Grant Program as an Emergency Relief/Survival Fund, providing grants of up to $2,000 to help worker co-ops develop and/or navigate their survival or continuity plan. Our Tenacity Works Investment Fund will also continue to provide loans for up to 5 years of between $7,000 and $20,000 to help worker co-operatives implement their survival or continuity plans.
CWCF and Democratic Member Control

By Kenzie Love and Hazel Corcoran
CWCF’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) is coming up November 13th at noon Eastern Time. In a change from past years, it will be entirely virtual which is of course due to the continuing pandemic. While we regret that we’re unable to hold our in-person Conference — which the AGM is normally a part of — this year, the virtual AGM does offer an opportunity to exercise one of our co-op principles: democratic member control.

What's New on CWCF's Social Media
Tenants evicting their landlord? No, it's not a misprint. It's just one of the many engaging stories 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!
Worker Co-ops May Have Advantages in Dealing With Pandemic's Psychological Impact

By Kenzie Love
Even for those whose health and employment may not have been directly affected by the coronavirus, the pandemic has taken a heavy psychological toll, one that inevitably risks spilling over into their work life.
SSG Helps Plan for a Fossil Fuel Free Future

By Kenzie Love
Edmonton City Council took the historic step last month of adopting a “carbon budget”, which sets a cap on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the city can emit — ever. Last June, meanwhile, Halifax city council unanimously approved a comprehensive climate action plan. For Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG), the worker co-op that helped develop both cities’ initiatives, these are not the first climate plans that they have helped create  — nor, as more municipalities and other institutions begin to grapple with the climate crisis, will these plans be the last.

La Siembra Launches New Packaging Design
La Siembra Co-operative, the owner of the Camino brand of fair trade and organic chocolate and sugar, celebrated Co-op Week with the launch of their new packaging designs featuring their Canadian Worker Co-op identity.

Mother of Indigenous Social Enterprise: Louise Champagne and Neechi Commons
Once upon a time Indigenous Nations were able to nurture a strong sense of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity amongst their people. So, what happened? Why do Indigenous people continue to be the poorest of the poor in Canada? Let’s explore this under the banner of Economic Reconciliation and Indigenous Social Enterprise which at its roots aims to address issues of racism.
The Co-operators Launches Co-op Impact Program
Through Co-operators Community Funds, The Co-operators is reinforcing ongoing co-operative sector support by making $1 million in patient capital available through its newly launched Co-op Impact Program. The focus of the program is to support small and medium-sized co-operatives as they adapt in a shifting economic landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 |