Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

 La F�d�ration canadienne des coop�ratives de travail

February 2013 Newsletterwww.canadianworker.coop
Vol 5, Issue  2                                                                             
                                                                                                         

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Executive Director's Report / Rapport de la Directrice g�n�rale  - Hazel Corcoran 

(Le fran�ais suit)   

My report this month focuses on three points, although as you can see below, there is a lot of other news in the worker co-op, and broader co-op, movements. The first point in my report is an update on the proposed National Co-op Investment Fund. Secondly, CWCF will soon embark on consultations with worker co-op members, with a survey on the state of the worker co-ops / relations with CWCF, and also a consultation on the question of the indivisible reserve. Thirdly, we provide information on the federal response to the Report of the Special Committee on Co-ops, with a response to the response. What does the worker co-op sector seek from government?

 

I would also like to extend my congratulations to Neechi Commons for its staged opening, now underway! If you are in Winnipeg, please visit early, and often.  See next article. 

  

PS  We have provided the stories in this newsletter in both English and French whenever possible, but some are only available in one language.  If you are curious about an article but can't read the language, you might try an on-line translation service like http://translate.google.com/.

 

Le rapport de ce mois-ci met l'accent sur trois points, mais comme vous voyez en bas, il y a beaucoup d'autres nouvelles du mouvement des coop�ratives de travail, et du mouvement des coop�ratives en g�n�ral. Mon premier point est une mise

CWCF Ligo

� jour sur le Fonds national d'investissement coop�ratif qui est propos�. Deuxi�mement, la FCCT va bient�t entamer des consultations avec nos membres, une enqu�te sur l'�tat des coop�ratives de travail / les relations avec la FCCT, et l'autre une consultation sur la question de la r�serve impartageable. Troisi�mement, la FCCT fournit des informations sur la r�ponse du gouvernement f�d�ral au rapport du Comit� sp�cial sur les coop�ratives, avec une r�ponse � la r�ponse. Qu'est-ce que le secteur coop�ratif du travail cherche du gouvernement?

Je voudrais �galement adresser mes f�licitations � � Neechi Commons � pour son ouverture, en cours! Si vous �tes � Winnipeg, s'il vous pla�t visitez-les t�t, et souvent.
   

 

Vous pouvez lire le rapport en entier ici.    

NB Nous avons fourni les articles dans ce bulletin en fran�ais et en anglais lorsque possible, mais certains ne sont disponibles que dans une seule langue. Si vous voulez lire un article, mais ne connaissez pas la langue, vous pouvez essayer un service de traduction en ligne comme http://translate.google.com/.  

Neechi Commons Phased Opening
Neechi
We are very pleased to announce that Winnipeg's Neechi Commons began a phased opening on February 9, 2013. The grocery, produce, bakery and catering departments are now up and running, but further inventory and new sections of the community business complex will be added over the next few weeks. This will be followed by the highly anticipated Grand Opening of the beautiful new facility at 865 Main Street. Several second floor offices, surrounding a Board Room and close to the Commons restaurant, are now ready to be rented out. Current store hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm; and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, please see the website.
Les coop�ratives de travail: des entreprises naturellement intelligentes?
Alain Bridault CICOPAPar Alain Bridault, Pr�sident de la FCCT
Cette chronique a paru en premier dans le Monde forestier.

"Dans le domaine de la gestion des entreprises, les modes se succ�dent. Modes au f�minin, dans le sens d'une mode. Dans les ann�es quatre-vingt, les grands �gourous � de la gestion ont lanc� la mode de la diversification puis celle de la Gestion de 'excellence. Les ann�es quatre-vingt-dix ont sans contexte �tait domin�e par la mode de la � Qualit� Totale �, un concept assez fumeux que j'avais surnomm� alors la � anit� Totale �. Au tournant du mill�naire, le concept de � bonne gouvernance � s'est impos�, surtout apr�s la vague des grandes faillites frauduleuses aux Etats-Unis. C'est un concept porteur, mais qui n'englobe qu'une partie de ce que recouvre la gestion d'une entreprise, sa direction strat�gique."

Pour lire l'article, suivez ce lien.
Call for Papers - Worker Cooperatives as an Organizational Alternative
Ana Maria Peredo from the Gustavson School of Business, Centre for Co-operative and Community Based Economy and University of Victoria, invites papers for this special  edition of the journal Organization. This is a project that is designed to further expand the understanding about the relationship between worker co-ops and other actors in a modern capitalist society. The submission deadline is February 28th, 2013.  For more information on themes and how to submit content, follow this link.
Industry Canada Will Assume Responsibility for Co-ops
CCA

[Le fran�ais suit, dans le prochain article.]  Ottawa, January 28, 2013 - Canada's co-operative movement is delighted with the federal government's decision to transfer responsibility for co-operatives to Industry Canada and looks forward to working closely with the government on improved access to capital and other issues.

 

In its response to the recommendations of the Special Committee on Co-operatives, the government affirmed its willingness to forge a new partnership with the Canadian co-operative movement. Its first step will be to transfer federal responsibility for

co-operatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, where it has been for more than 30 years, to Industry Canada.

 

Canada's two national co-operative associations, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la coop�ration et de la mutualit� (CCCM), had strongly urged the government to make this move. Legislative and regulatory responsibility for financial co-operatives, such as credit unions and mutual insurance companies, will remain with Finance Canada.

 

The government also responded positively to other recommendations of the Special Committee, including efforts to highlight the strategic role co-operatives play in the Canadian economy and collaborate with financial institutions, the provinces and territories and other key stakeholders to offer business financing and capitalization to co-operatives. 

 

"This represents the beginning of a new partnership between Canada's co-operative movement and the federal government," said Jill Kelly, president of CCA. "It is a signal that the government recognizes the important role co-operatives play in creating jobs and supporting local economies across the country. The government has put co-operatives firmly on the policy agenda, and we thank them for their positive response."

 

Marthe Hamelin, president of CCCM, reacted to the news by saying: "We are looking to build a new relationship with the Canadian government. We now know that the government has been listening to us. With Industry Canada, we can work together to create an accurate portrait of the capitalization needs and opportunities of co-operatives, and possibly open the door to further actions in the not-too-distant future."

 

Please visit the CCA website
to read the government's response to the Committee report.  It is the first document in a list of documents which can be downloaded. 
Industrie Canada prendra la responsabilit� pour les coop�ratives canadiennes
CCCM

[English version is in last article.]  Ottawa, le 28 janvier 2013 - Les repr�sentants du mouvement coop�ratif du Canada se r�jouissent du transfert de la responsabilit� des coop�ratives vers Industrie Canada et esp�rent travailler �troitement avec le gouvernement pour continuer � am�liorer l'acc�s aux capitaux et pour travailler � d'autres enjeux.

Dans sa r�ponse aux recommandations du Comit� sp�cial sur les coop�ratives, le gouvernement f�d�ral affirme sa volont� de forger un nouveau partenariat avec le mouvement coop�ratif canadien. Cette volont�
est accompagn�e d'un premier geste concret, puisque le gouvernement f�d�ral transf�re la responsabilit� des coop�ratives � Industrie Canada. Cette responsabilit� �tait assum�e depuis les 30 derni�res ann�es par Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada.

Les deux conseils coop�ratifs nationaux, le Conseil canadien de la coop�ration et de la mutualit� et la Canadian Co-operative Association/Association des coop�ratives du Canada avaient d'ailleurs fortement sugg�r� au gouvernement de faire cette transition. En ce qui concerne la responsabilit� l�gale et r�glementaire des coop�ratives financi�res, tel que les caisses populaires et des mutuelles, elle demeurera � Finances Canada.

Par ailleurs, le gouvernement s'est dit en faveur � d'autres recommandations de Comit� sp�cial, tel que de mettre en lumi�re le r�le strat�gique que jouent les coop�ratives dans notre �conomie et de collaborer avec les institutions financi�res, les provinces et territoires ainsi que les autres partenaires afin d'offrir des outils de capitalisation adapt�s aux besoins des coop�ratives.

Marthe Hamelin, pr�sidente du Conseil canadien de la coop�ration et de la mutualit� r�agit en disant : � On cherche � b�tir une nouvelle relation d'affaires avec le gouvernement canadien. Le gouvernement nous a entendus. Avec Industrie Canada, nous pourrons maintenant faire un juste portrait des besoins et des opportunit�s en mati�re de capitalisation des coop�ratives et ouvrir la porte � d'�ventuelles actions dans ce domaine. �

De son c�t�, Jill Kelly, pr�sidente de la Canadian Co-operative Association/Association des coop�ratives du Canada affirme � Ce pas repr�sente le d�but d'un nouveau partenariat entre le mouvement coop�ratif canadien et le gouvernement f�d�ral �. Elle ajoute : � Il s'agit d'un signal que ce gouvernement reconna�t l'important r�le des coop�ratives dans la cr�ation d'emploi et le soutien � l'�conomie locale � travers le pays. Le gouvernement vient de positionner fermement les coop�ratives dans l'agenda politique et nous le remercions pour sa r�ponse positive. �

Rendez-vous ici pour t�l�charger la r�ponse officielle du gouvernement au rapport du Comit�. Il est visible au centre de la page. 

New and Emerging Co-ops Seminar
ParliamentMore than 50 representatives of new and emerging co-operatives from across Canada met in Ottawa on January 29-30 for the final event organized by the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI).
 
The CDI seminar included sessions on such issues as member recruitment and engagement, communications, capitalization and governance.  Participants heard success stories about such innovative co-ops as the Aron Theatre, the West End Food Co-op and Sustainability Solutions Group, and were given time for networking and group discussions.
 
The seminar was the final event organized by CDI, a federally-funded co-op development program which has ended as a result of budget cuts.  Marshall Gallardo, manager of the CDI program, described the seminar as an inspiring event.
 
"It was exciting to see first-hand the successes these co-ops have achieved with the help of CDI," he said. "And the fact that so many younger co-operators attended the seminar bodes well for the future of the co-operative movement."

(Re-printed from the CCA's Co-operative News Briefs.)
International Co-op Governance Symposium
From September 5th (evening) to September 7th, 2013, Saint Mary's University (Halifax, NS, Canada) will be hosting an  International Co-operative Governance Symposium. The Symposium is a gathering of leading governance practitioners and researchers to discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities for co-operative governance at a global scale.

The format of the Symposium will be very interactive, and the organizers anticipate an intimate gathering of governance experts (academic and practitioner). The group will be highly engaged and the agenda for the event will be molded around the interests and expertise of the participants. St. Mary's is requesting proposals (May 1 deadline) for workshops, panels, and presentations from both academics and practitioners, and registration ($250 Canadian) is now open.

 

Governance Stakeholder Survey/Sondage sur la gouvernance et les intervenants
CCA
[Le fran�ais suit.]  The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) is encouraging co-ops and credit unions to participate in a survey on the role of boards of directors in stakeholder relations.  The survey, conducted by the Institute on Governance, will provide valuable data on the differences between co-ops, other types of businesses and not-for-profit organizations.  The information submitted by co-operatives will be compared to that from other respondents.  Each co-operative is asked to identify a member of the management team and a board director to complete the survey.  It has 34 questions and will take roughly 25 minutes to complete.
 
"Governance is a key element of the co-op model and we have an opportunity to explore our uniqueness," said Erin Hancock, CCA's program co-ordinator for research and education. "We urge co-ops and credit unions to participate so that we have a better understanding and evidence to define co-operative governance."
 
For more information and the link to the survey, go to
http://iog.ca/blog/building-better-boards-with-your-help/.  Questions about the research can be addressed to Dustin Munroe at the Institute of Governance at dmunroe@iog.ca or 613-562-0090.
 
L'ACC voudrait vous inviter � participer � une enqu�te sur le r�le du conseil d'administration dans les relations avec les intervenants, qui est entrepris par l'Institut sur la gouvernance. L'ACC a �t� consult�e pour l'�laboration de l'enqu�te et les coop�ratives sont consid�r�es comme un groupe distinct dans l'�chantillon. La gouvernance est un �l�ment cl� de la forme coop�rative de l'organisation et nous avons l'occasion d'explorer notre unicit�. Les r�sultats pr�sent�s � partir des coop�ratives seront compar�s � d'autres formes d'organisation au sein de ce projet d'enqu�te.  Le lien de l'enqu�te est ici.  Nous invitons les membres � participer afin que nous puissions avoir une meilleure compr�hension et une preuve de d�finir la gouvernance coop�rative.  Pour plus d'information, s'il vous pla�t contactez Dustin Munroe, dmunroe@iog.ca.   
 
Clinique d'experts sur la rel�ve d'entreprise
Le Reseau
Le 26 mars prochain, le R�SEAU en collaboration avec les CDR de la zone de coop�ration, organise une � clinique d'experts � sur le th�me de la Rel�ve d'entreprise par la vente aux employ�s. Cette activit� d'une demi journ�e s'adresse aux entrepreneurs songeant � c�der leur entreprise et aux experts intervenants aupr�s de propri�taires c�dants (comptables, fiscalistes, planificateurs financiers, avocats, notaires). Des cas de rachat d'entreprise par les salari�s seront analys�s � la fois sous l'angle � comptable � et � juridique � par des experts ayant travaill� directement sur ces dossiers. Pour plus d'informations, cliquez ce lien.

 

La FQCF s'engage en faveur du d�veloppement durable
La F�d�ration qu�b�coise des coop�ratives foresti�res a publi� un excellent article sur le d�veloppement durable dans leur secteur. Dans un climat o� plusiers organisations ont d�cid� de choisir ce chemin, Jocelyn Lessard et Sarah Zammit parlent � propos du processus pour eux. Il y avait un imperatif car le secteur forestier subit beaucoup de pression li�e � la contestation de ses practiques: il faut s'y adapter �. Suivez ce lien pour lire l'article.

 

CICOPA provides recommendations / CICOPA fournit des recommandations
CICOPA (Le fran�ais suit) Several policy recommendations have been formulated by CICOPA, the world body representing worker and social cooperatives, in the wake of the Global Worker Cooperative Day convened in Marseille (France) on 16 November 2012 within the framework of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). They constitute CICOPA's main concluding message for the IYC. CICOPA will strive to have them implemented throughout the subsequent Cooperative Decade, which the cooperative movement has now embarked on. They are not abstract recommendations but are based on over one hundred and fifty years of concrete practice in dozens of countries on all continents and in the most varied economic activities, which has repeatedly proven the socio-economic sustainability of our business model. You can read the recommendations by following this link.

Des recommandations de politiques publiques  ont �t� formul�es par CICOPA, l'organisme mondial repr�sentant les coop�ratives de travail associ� et les coop�ratives sociales, dans la foul�e de la
Journ�e Internationale des coop�ratives de travail associ� organis�e � Marseille (France) le 16 novembre 2012 dans le cadre de 2012 Ann�e Internationale des coop�ratives (AIC) . Elles constituent le message concluant l'AIC . Nous nous efforcerons de faire en sorte qu'elles soient mises en oeuvre tout au long de la D�cennie coop�rative dans laquelle le mouvement coop�ratif
vient de s'engager. Il ne s'agit pas de recommandations abstraites, celles-ci sont bas�es sur plus d'un si�cle et demi de pratique concr�te dans des dizaines de pays de continents divers et dans les activit�s �conomiques les plus diverses, ayant syst�matiquement prouv� la viabilit� socio-�conomique de notre mod�le d'entreprise. Vous pouvez lire les recommandations ici.
R�sultats de la Journ�e mondiale de la coop�ration de travail
CICOPA
Doubler le nombre de Scop ("Scop" est l'acronyme en France pour les coop�ratives de travail) sur les cinq prochaines ann�es : tel est l'objectif trac� par le ministre d�l�gu� � l'Economie sociale et solidaire Beno�t Hamon en cl�ture du Congr�s national des Scop � Marseille le 16 novembre dernier. Incontestablement, l'allocution du ministre et son plaidoyer en faveur du mod�le coop�ratif nourri par son excellente connaissance du sujet ont �t� le principal temps fort et une conclusion en apoth�ose de ce 35e Congr�s, au grand ravissement des 1 300 congressistes qui ont r�serv� au ministre une standing ovation. Lisez plus ici.

 

CECOP Spotlight/Une coop�rative chaque semaine
IYC Co-operatives

[Le fran�ais suit.] CICOPA and CECOP (CICOPA-Europe) are currently profiling co-operatives from around the world, an extension of a similar project during the International Year of Co-operatives. This interactive initiative will help draw attention to individual co-ops as well as the movement itself. For more information and to figure out how you can contribute or highlight your own co-op, please read here .

  
CECOP (CICOPA-Europe), lancera un nouveau projet. En partenariat avec CICOPA, il va mettre l'accent sur les coop�ratives: Une fois par semaine, ils mettent une coop�rative � l'honneur en postant sur ses r�seaux sociaux des photos, des vid�os, et une courte description de l'entreprise. Ce projet est bas� sur une initiative similaire (www.stories.coop) qui a partag� une coop�rative par jour pendant l'Ann�e internationale des coop�ratives. Pour en savoir plus et pour trouver comment on peut participer, lisez l'article.

Expanding the Member-Owned Movement
In the United States many communities are railing against austerity, unemployment, and a variety of other socio-economic realities. In Austin, Texas a movement, which is a bit of a spiritual successor to Occupy, is attempting to connect the disillusioned with real alternatives, namely through advancing the co-operative model. At the forefront of the movement is the call to change from banks to credit unions, but the movement is broader, advocating for a more sustainable model. "At Occupy people were asking for an alternative model that was focused on the individual, the community, and being good for the environment. For hardcore co-op people, it's like, 'We're right here'". You can read more at this link.
TEDx Talk on Co-operatives
Recently, a TEDx Talk about co-operatives was posted to YouTube. This is a remarkably smart and brief video about discovering co-ops. Emily Lippold Cheney mixes her personal story of coming to learn about co-operatives with a broader examination of what makes the movement viable, just, and rewarding. She shares a lot of statistics, but she adds to this by showing that the US (and by extension much of Canada) lags behind many other parts of the world in terms of co-op development and saturation. This is a great video in terms of encouraging people to become more active: "give your insight, experience, knowledge, equity, and you will continually get things back". To view the talk, please follow this link.
 
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 co-operatives.  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 to: 

 

James Mitchell 

Editor of CWCF Newsletter 
james@canadianworker.coop
418-524-5161