Government of Canada Information Guide on Co-operatives - Co-op Creator

Early Stages

Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire How to name your co-op: a by-province guide How to start a co-operative: a step-by-step guide Creating an action plan What is a steering committee, and what does it do? Transitioning a Business to a Co-operative Co-operative Members and Governance Choosing a Co-op Type Hosting a Community Meeting Focusing Ideas for Your Co-operative Co-operative Business Model Comparison with Other Models Building Consensus

Incorporating

A Guide to writing Rules of Association in BC Guide to Writing a Financial Plan

A Guide to writing co-op bylaws in Manitoba

Guide to writing Bylaws in Saskatchewan

Guide to Federal Bylaws

Choosing a ‘Co-op Type’ and its Impact on Your Business Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada — a provincial comparison Incorporation time frame Articles and bylaws (video) Choosing a name (video) Why should you incorporate your co-op? (video) Shaping your Co-op’s Identity Incorporation Checklist

Business Planning

Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups Do a PESTLE Analysis How to find new co-op members How to create a governance structure Creating a Preliminary Budget — A Guide Building a Business Model Canvas Why create a business plan? (video) Roles and Responsibilities Business Planning Pitch Practice How to allocate your co-op’s profits Co-operative Members and Governance

Financing

How to handle share capital in a co-op Debt vs Equity (video) Tax Treatment of Co-operative Businesses Ongoing Capitalization Guide to Writing a Financial Plan Financing your Co-operative Business Budgeting and Co-operatives

Up and Running

Three AGM Resolutions Every Co-op Needs for their Annual General Meeting What you need to know for your first AGM How to Waive an Audit Sample Board Duties How to Build a Board Calendar How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist How to issue dividends Creating a Terms of Reference Creating a Strategic Plan Creating a Human Resources Policy Free Online Governance Course Creating a Conflict of Interest Policy Board of Directors Evaluations Board Member Recruitment Board Decision-Making Exercise How to allocate your co-op’s profits

How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist

Board Governance Tips for Indigenous Co-operatives Sample Bookkeeper Contract How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist How to issue dividends Sample Co-op Equity Statement A Guide to Co-operative Insurance How to Read Financial Statements Keeping track of members in a co-op Everything you need to know about managing records Member Engagement and Onboarding Guidelines for co-operative elections Filing your Annual Return Co-operative Annual General Meetings Ongoing Capitalization How to allocate your co-op’s profits

Additional Resources

Co-ops and charitable status

Back

Government of Canada Information Guide on Co-operatives

The Federal government maintains an information guide on co-operatives and key legislative provisions from each provincial Act. This information guide on co-operatives provides an in depth overview of the co-operative business model, the co-operative principles, key procedural features of the model, some steps to develop a co-op, and some frequently asked questions. The guide also provides a summary of legislation pertaining to:

Definition of co-operative basis;
Incorporation requirements;
Membership terms and conditions;
Capital structure;
Composition of the board of directors; and
Special provisions for specific co-operative sectors.

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Links

Information Guide on Co-operatives