Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada — a provincial comparison - Co-op Creator

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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

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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

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Financing

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Up and Running

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Additional Resources

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Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada — a provincial comparison

Here’s a snapshot of the differences and similarities of the incorporation process in Western Canada. No matter which western province you’re in, we can help! Click here if you want Co-operatives First to handle the incorporation process for your co-op.

Consideration	Manitoba	Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia
Minimum number of shareholders	3	6*	3	3 or more persons or eligible organizations
Minimum number of directors	3	5*	3	3
Name requirements	Must contain cooperative, co-operative, coopérative, coop, co-op or pool and end with the word limited, ltd., incorporated, inc., limitée, incorporée, or ltée	Must contain co-operative or co-op and limited or ltd	Must have the word co-operative, coop, co-op, coopérative, united, or pool	Must contain the word Cooperative, coop or co-op, or an alternative like association, society, union, or exchange
Share class provisions	Membership and Investment	Common and Preferred	Membership and Investment	Membership and Investment
Multi-stakeholder allowed?	Yes	No*	Yes	Yes
Incorporation fee**	$250 or $70 if incorporating as a community services co-op + name search	$285 or $70 for a non-profit co-op (name reservation included)	$100 + name search	$280 including name approval fee
Department Responsible	Financial Institutions Regulation Branch	Information Services Corporation	Service Alberta	BC Registries and Online Services

*According to the Saskatchewan Cooperatives Act, a group can submit an appeal to the registrar to incorporate with fewer than suggested shareholders/directors or more share classes.

**Each province does allow interprovincial registration/incorporation for a similar fee.

Enjoy this tool on Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada? Then you’ll enjoy our incorporation timeframe or our blog on the 5 things a co-op need to do after incorporating.

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