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

Early Stages

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? Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire How to name your co-op: a by-province guide 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

How to find new co-op members How to create a governance structure Creating a Preliminary Budget — A Guide Building a Business Model Canvas Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups How to write a value proposition Do a PESTLE Analysis 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

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 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 How to write a communication plan 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

Goparity Pacific Economic Development Canada Co-ops and charitable status Prairies Economic Development Canada

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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	Companies Office	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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