A shift in US bank policy. A demonstration in Greece. A tsunami in Japan. In recent times, these kinds of events have had profound effects on the economic well-being of Canadians. In such a heavily globalized environment, it may seem that only large corporations with access to transnational resources can operate successfully, but Co-operative Canada demonstrates that this is not the case. Despite economic pressures following the 2008 recession, co-operatives in Canada are thriving. In fact, there are approximately nine thousand co-ops across the nation with a combined membership of about 18 million members – more than half the population of Canada. Drawing on the results of a large research project that examined co-operatives in communities from coast to coast to coast, Co-operative Canada reveals how Canadians are using the co-operative model to collectively respond to the forces of globalization through local, community-owned enterprises. It does this through specific examples that vividly describe the pragmatic realities of the communities these co-ops serve.

Extract: The Task Force was organised to investigate ways in which co-operatives could better contribute to meeting the economic and social needs of Canadians. Main recommendations concerned strengthening capital formation ; renewing the commitement to education, increasing research, boosting exports, fostering worker-owned co-operatives, encouraging health services co-operatives, assisting fisheries co-operatives, expanding housing cooperatives, strengthening co-op support organisations, improving government structures.

Hungry for change? Put the power of food co-ops on your plate and grow your local food economy. Food has become ground-zero in our efforts to increase awareness of how our choices impact the world. Yet while we have begun to transform our communities and dinner plates, the most authoritative strand of the food web has received surprisingly little attention: the grocery store—the epicenter of our food-gathering ritual. Through penetrating analysis and inspiring stories and examples of American and Canadian food co-ops, Grocery Story makes a compelling case for the transformation of the grocery store aisles as the emerging frontier in the local and good food movements. Author Jon Steinman: Deconstructs the food retail sector and the shadows cast by corporate giants Makes the case for food co-ops as an alternative Shows how co-ops spur the creation of local food-based economies and enhance low-income food access. Grocery Story is for everyone who eats. Whether you strive to eat more local and sustainable food, or are in support of community economic development, Grocery Story will leave you hungry to join the food co-op movement in your own community.

Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1 - Conceptualizing the Social Economy 1. Defining the Social Economy Part 2 - An Overview to the Social Economy 2. An Overview to Co-operatives 3. Non-profits in Public Service 4. Mutual Non-profits Part 3 - Case Studies 5. Community Economic Development 6. Social Housing 7. Social Service 8. Social Capital Part 4 - Overcoming the Obstacles 9. Building a Social Economy Notes Selected Bibliography Index

Abstract: This paper summarizes the history of the taxation of cooperatives and examines the evolution of public policy about co-operatives in Canada.

A co-operative is a form of business, incorporated to meet economic, social and/or cultural needs with an objective of service rather than profit. It is owned by members/users who control the enterprise on the basis of one member one vote through an elected board of directors charged with responsibility for management carried out by a hired staff. This document specifically discusses co-operatives in Canada.