Ontario Co‑operative Association

Annual Report 2018–19

This has been a year of successful partnerships. Our members, associates, supporters and staff have come together

to make great strides in government relations, improvements to the Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) program, and preparations for new co-operative development resources.

Throughout the winter of 2018, our association prepared for government consultations on the Co‑operative Corporations Act. The consultations were announced in December and our co-operatives had one month to complete submissions by the January 31, 2019 deadline. Our Government Relations Committee, Regulatory Affairs Committee, as well as countless volunteers from co-operatives across the province, assisted with OCA’s submission, submissions of their own and calls and meetings with government staff and elected officials to ensure our needs were met. The sector came together, visiting MPPs and contacting ministers, to ensure the Offering Statement process was moved to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, which is the best fit for service continuity.

Likewise, our longtime supporters of the CYL program worked tirelessly to revamp the program’s curriculum in preparation for the 2019 summer. The new curriculum is now in line with the goals of the program—the education of youth in co-operation as an inclusive and successful economic model. The programming also incorporates the amenities at our new location at the Co-operative Education Centre, in partnership with Gay Lea Foods Co-operative.

Successful collaboration has also been the main theme in co-operative development. Libro Credit

Union supported the creation of a course for co-operative entrepreneurs to assist with the development of a business plan. One of the results is the incorporation of an equity housing

co-operative and the revitalization of the equity housing model as an option to the conventional housing models that are financially out of reach for many in Ontario. There have also been new partnerships in co-operative development formed with organizations across Ontario in the non-profit and social enterprise sectors. Looking

ahead to 2019, there are many exciting opportunities for new resource development and partnerships to support co-operative entrepreneurs on the horizon.

Our partnership with the credit union sector flourished this year. The Directors’ Forum featured a session on ways for co-operatives and credit unions to work closer together. Gay Lea Foods Co-operative and Libro Credit Union led the session by example and as a result, several credit unions have joined OCA in membership and in partnership on youth, government relations and public relations opportunities.

In closing, I would like to thank our members, associates and supporters for their commitment to co-operation over the last year and our staff for their great work. It has been a pleasure to chair OCA and work with such an incredible community.

Chair’s Report

Joel LalondeBoard Chair

2018–19AnnualReport

The second year of our strategic plan has gone well, if not exactly according to plan. In government relations, we are making

great strides and expect to check the final boxes on changes to the Co‑operative Corporations Act early—the third year of our strategic plan.

As staff, we are looking forward to taking on some new challenges in government relations, including developing a strong working relationship with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority as they begin to manage the Offering Statement portfolio, and with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to support their role of issuing co-operative incorporations. Additionally, we have new mandates from agricultural co-operatives and renewable energy co-operatives to support their advocacy needs in the next year.

In public relations, we shared a new series of articles with the Ontario media about ways Ontario co-operatives are improving communities and the economy co-operatively. We showcased how food co-operatives in northern Ontario are bringing farm fresh produce to members across long distances, and how credit unions are at the forefront in making banking more accessible to their members using the latest technology. Visit our website to read the monthly series and watch for more stories next year!

OCA had a rebuilding year at CYL. A new location at the Co-operative Education Centre in

collaboration with Gay Lea Foods Co-operative has created the opportunity to reach out to co-operatives and youth in south western Ontario. We re-worked the program for the

new space and look forward to the leadership of our new CYL Director hired in early 2019, to rebuild our youth numbers and our sponsorship engagement.

Our educational programming has taken a backseat over the last few years to other

programs due to lower staff numbers. In the coming year, we have two exciting opportunities for our members. An online employee education initiative has the goal of increasing revenue to OCA so we can rebuild our educational offerings. Additionally, we are partnering with Gay Lea Foods Co-operative to provide governance training to developing and new co-operatives. We look forward to both programs providing much needed services and information to our members and associates.

The past year has provided staff with lots of opportunities to learn from our members about what they value and need from our organization. We have also been grateful to receive the dedication and support of our members and friends that have led to some real gains in government relations. We look forward to continued service to our members and the opportunity to serve new members of the co-operative community as it grows.

Executive Director’s Report

A stronger movement can be created through collaboration, and by collectively supporting and promoting our co‑operative values at a time when values in business are needed most.

Erin MorganExecutive Director

The Mandate of OCA

1 To be the voice of co‑operatives in Ontario, which we accomplish through our government relations and public relations initiatives.

2 To promote the co‑operative principles, which we accomplish through co‑operative education, member engagement and communications.

3 To facilitate co‑operative solutions, which we accomplish by offering co‑operative development support services, creating opportunities for sector‑specific collaborations and by connecting co‑operatives.

2018–19AnnualReport

1Voice of

Co‑operatives in Ontario

Report on the Strategic Areas

OCT 2018 Executive Director Erin Morgan welcomes

Conservative MPP Randy Pettapiece (Perth‑Wellington) as co‑chair of the Co‑operative

Caucus. He replaced long‑time co‑chair MPP Ernie Hardeman, who became the Minister of Agriculture.

Government Relationswas a primary focus for us this year, as we continued to advocate for changes to the Co‑operative Corporations Act, and celebrated a couple of major wins for the sector after years of advocating for regulatory changes.

MAY 2018 We met with the Ontario Ministry

of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs to familiarize them with our

organization and explore ways to partner on project delivery.

MAY 2018 We hosted a webinar to help our

members prepare for the upcoming fall provincial election. The

presentation, conducted in partnership with Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs, focused on “Building Relationships with Candidates” and how to ask for support for co-operatives.

OCT 2018 We announced that the

incorporation of co-operative businesses will be conducted

through Service Ontario, effective October 29. After years of advocating for moving co-op incorporation to the same agency as other types of business, this was a big win for the sector!

NOV 2018 We welcomed NDP MPP Chris

Glover (Spadina–Fort York) as a Co-Chair to the Co-operative Caucus,

replacing MPP Percy Hatfield.

NOV 2018 We hosted a holiday breakfast

reception and Co-op Caucus meeting at Queen’s Park,

in partnership with the Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario. 30 government officials (including 17 MPPs, 2 Ministers and 11 staff) as well as 20 representatives from the co-op sector attended. The focus of the gathering was to highlight the urgency

needed to update the Co‑operative Corporations Act, which is hindering the innovation and development of Ontario’s co-operative businesses.

Government Relations (continued)Government Relations (continued)

JAN 2019 The Ontario Government held consultations

with the co-operative sector on the changes to the Act. OCA provided co-operatives with a

template to complete on the issues of the 50% Rule, the Audit exemptions and the Offering Statement thresholds, which we began advocating for in 2004. We received 81 submissions from individual co-operatives and sector federations in response to the consultation!

FEB 2019 We hosted an in-person meeting with the

Ministry of Finance, Service Ontario and the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services

staff, along with roughly 25 co-op sector representatives at The Co‑operators. The meeting was to discuss the submissions in response to the consultation, and ask/answer any clarifying questions. The government raised the possibility of moving Offering Statements to the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).

FEB 2019 We announced that the list of active

co-operatives was launched on the Service Ontario website.

FEB 2019 We held consultations with all Ontario

co-operatives that currently use offering statements, highlighting the issues with a possible

move to the OSC and the negative impact it will have on a co-operative’s ability to raise capital. OCA submitted a letter to the Minstry of Finance on the offering statement process, along with all the letters from the co-operatives involved.

MAR 2019 The Ontario Government announced its intention

to add the responsibility for Offering Statements to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority’s

(FSRA) articles—another win for the sector!

JAN 2019 We addressed the Minister

of Finance at a pre‑budget consultation to advocate

for a reduction of red tape and improved efficiencies, through changes to legislation in three areas:

1The elimination of the requirement to do 50% of

business with members. In its place, allow the members of co‑operatives to set their own bylaws determining the percentage of business with members required by their individual co‑operative businesses.

2Audit requirement parity with co‑operatives in other Canadian

jurisdictions.

3 Increase our offering statement thresholds, which are over 25

years old, and not high enough in 2019 dollars to raise the funds required to capitalize a business.

Co‑operative representatives David Cork (TREC) and Sara Cleland (The Co‑operators) met with Minister Bill Walker and Jessica Georgakapoulos following the November 28 breakfast at Queen’s Park, to expedite the transfer of the Act from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

Public Relations was a new initiative for us this year, as we began to strategize on ways to brand and raise awareness of co‑operatives and their unique values to the general public.

AUG 2018 We executed 25 interviews with stakeholder

organizations to help us build a unifying co-operative platform and develop PR messaging

around co-operatives.

SEP 2018 We formed and held our first meeting with a

stakeholder marketing committee.

OCT 2018 The Isaac Reputation Group presented a

framework to create a social movement in support of co-operatives to our membership at

our Annual General Meeting.

NOV 2018 We narrowed down our campaign messaging to

“Tomorrow needs us.”

JAN 2019 We began the process of sourcing sector partners

to help support the campaign.

2Promoter of Co‑operative

Principles

Co‑operative Education was another key focus this year, with programming aimed both at developing co‑operative awareness and skills among youth, but also providing learning opportunities for adults in the sector.

APR 2018 We hosted a “Best Practices

for Co-operative Businesses” governance seminar in partnership

with Lerners LLP, where 50 individuals participated in two workshops on co-operative regulation and legislation, and were informed on the latest updates to the Act.

MAY 2018 We announced the launch of a pilot program—

an all-day Governance Forum—in an effort to provide professional development, learning and

networking opportunities for non-financial co-operatives of

all sizes and stages of growth, with a specific focus on co-operative governance. Inspired by the annual Credit Union Directors’ Forum, the initiative was created largely in response to the membership’s indication that governance training was a key need and priority in the sector. We had to cancel the event due to low registration and sponsorship.

MAY 2018 We hosted a training weekend for

the 23 adult volunteer facilitators of the Co‑operative Young Leaders

program, to prepare them to lead the youth participants in communications, team-building and leadership activities, while

inspiring their co-operative conscious.

JULY/AUG 2018 We ran four weeks of CYL where 71 youth

(aged 14–17) participated in a week long program. This was the first year CYL was held at the new Co‑operative Education Centre

owned by Gay Lea Foods Co‑operative in Aylmer, ON! The program was made possible by the generosity of the 16 sponsors of the 2018 CYL program year.

Co‑operative Education (continued)

OCT 2018 We hosted a free six-week Co-operative Business

Start-up course for young entrepreneurs aged 16–29, interested in starting a co-operative.

The program was made possible thanks to a grant from the Libro Prosperity Fund. Participants learned about the elements of a co-operative business plan, how to develop their own plan, and received constructive input to help them with a successful business launch.

JAN 2019 We hired Carol Fleming as the new program

Director for CYL. Carol has held various positions working in credit unions, the provincial

central and CUETS, and her expertise in communication, training, financial counseling and coaching makes her a great addition to our youth co-operative education programming!

OCT 2018  We collaborated with the Directors’ Forum

to organize and co‑host an all‑morning session on “Co‑operatives and Credit Unions

Collaborating for Success.” Pictured left to right: Donna Bailey (CCUA), Stephen Bolton (CEO, Libro Credit Union) and Michael Barrett (CEO, Gay Lea Foods Co‑operative).The objective was to create greater awareness among credit unions of our shared values and goals, and the need for and benefits of collaboration between financial and non‑financial co‑operatives in their communities. Panelists from the co‑operative sector discussed their needs and shared examples of barriers they have faced when attempting to work with credit unions, and credit unions discussed how to address these barriers and better serve the needs of co‑operative businesses.

Member Engagement continued to be an important focus this year, as we strengthened relationships with our current members and connected with potential new members about the benefits of joining OCA.

APR 2018 We held a one-day retreat for our Board of

Directors at the Co-operative Education Centre to tour the new facility, and review

the status and relevance of the organization’s three key priorities.

JUN 2018 We mailed a package to

our members to keep them informed about our

current programs and events.

OCT 2018 We held our Annual General Meeting over

Co‑op Week with over 60 delegates in attendance. The membership approved an

amendment to our Youth Director Bylaw, making this board position more accessible for individuals 25 and under, who are interested in the co-operative sector in Ontario and who want to get involved with our organization at a governance level. During the board election, Hugh Nelson

of Y’s Owl Maclure Co‑operative Centre was acclaimed into his second term, and Laura Toombs of Ag Energy Co‑operative was re-elected into the Youth Director position for a second term. The Board elected Joel Lalonde, representing Central 1 Credit Union, as the new Chair and Michelle Vieira, representing Ag Energy Co-operative, accepted the position of Vice-chair for a second year.

JUL 2018  We polled our

membership to gauge their key priorities and

help us identify ways to better meet their needs. Respondents ranked…

The top three most important strategic areas at OCA:

1Government Relations—advocating on behalf of the

co‑operative sector at Queen’s Park;

2 Co‑operative Development—supporting the growth and

development of new and emerging co‑operatives, and the growth and sustainability of existing co‑operatives; and

3 Communications—raising the profile of Ontario’s co‑operatives to the public, and sharing news, information and resources within the co‑operative sector.

The top three needs for their organization’s success:

1Professional development opportunities (webinars,

e‑learning, workshops, etc.);

2Governance/board training; and

3 Collaborating with other co‑operatives.

25new members joined OCA including:

14 Member‑Owners · 7 Friend Members · 4 Associate Members

Show your pride in being a member of OCA! Include this boiler statement on your website

and media releases:

Co‑operatives are a different kind of business model that are driven by people,

planet and profit. We are a member of The Ontario Co‑operative Association

(OCA) that supports, develops, educates and advocates for Ontario’s 1,500+

co‑operative businesses.

Member Engagement (continued)

OCT 2018 Following the AGM, we held a professional

development session on “Branding our Co-operative Difference.” Guest presenters

included Mike Robitaille with the Isaac Reputation Group, who highlighted why we should be defining our co‑operative difference and Fiona Duguid with the Centre of Excellence in Accounting & Reporting for Co-operatives, Saint Mary’s University, who explained how we can measure the co‑operative difference. OCA shared how we are “living the co‑operative principles.” The membership then discussed what their organizations — and collectively as a movement — can do to better define and promote our difference.

NOV 2018 We held a strategic planning session for the new

Board of Directors at the GROWMARK, Inc. head office in Guelph. At the meeting, Janice Johnson,

representing GROWMARK, Inc., accepted the position of Board Treasurer.

NOV 2018 We officially opened our membership to include

Ontario credit unions for the first time since our inception in 2002! This initiative was a key

priority for the new Board Chair who had been working with OCA staff and directors at Central 1 to include credit unions in the membership. Five credit unions have since become voting members.

MAR 2019 We launched nominations for the 2019

Co‑operative Spirit awards, which will recognize individual and one organization for their

significant contributions to the co-operative movement at the AGM on October 15, 2019.

Communications efforts focused heavily on developing and launching a new website and increasing the broader public’s awareness of co‑operatives through the media.

APR 2018 We developed and launched a

new series of postcards promoting co-operatives, and their values—and

how we can help support them at all stages of development. We encourage our members to download and share them with their staff and members.

MAY 2018 We initiated a media release

campaign highlighting innovative co-operatives across the province.

The releases were distributed to media channels across Ontario, as well as some national trade publications, to build more public awareness of the business model and showcase co-operatives as solution providers.

JUN 2018 We created and launched the new CYL

logo and banner to bring a fresh look to our program promotion, and incorporate it into our

organizational brand.

JUL 2018 We launched our brand new website, designed

to be more visually pleasing, interactive, user-friendly and responsive. It provides users with all

the co-operative information and tools they need at their fingertips.

JUL 2018 We were interviewed by Each for

All Co‑op Radio, a one-hour weekly current affairs and advocacy program

based in Vancouver BC, that profiles, interviews, and reports from the world of co-operatives. Listen to our Executive Director, Erin Morgan’s Podcast interview here!

JAN 2019 We adopted a new newsletter format

to focus on providing our subscribers with information and updates on our

strategic areas and programming. The more condensed version includes quick links to news articles on co-operatives across the province, as well as co-op event listings, jobs and volunteer opportunities in the sector, funding and grant opportunities for co-ops, and links to other read-worthy co-op articles both national and global in content.

Our Reach 2404,000

subscribers received our newsletter, The Co‑op Current each month.

posts were made to our 1,390 Facebook followers, and 280 unique tweets were sent to our 1,400 Twitter followers.

new followers joined our Instagram page, now totaling 269 followers.

54

3Facilitator of Co‑operative

Solutions

Co‑operative Development initiatives focused on exploring opportunities to promote the co‑operative model for business succession planning and to support co‑op start‑ups.

MAY 2018 We wrapped up a two-year Ontario

Trillium Grant, during which time 44 new co-operatives were started

and a new Regional Co‑op Network was established in Kitchener-Waterloo.

NOV 2018 We unsuccessfully submitted a

Trillium grant focusing on co-operative business succession

development in London, Oxford and Middlesex counties.

FEB 2019 We partnered with Capacity

Canada and LAICOS the Social Enterprise Support Network,

to submit a grant application to Fed Dev Canada to supply development support

services for Social Enterprises.

FEB 2019 We partnered with Co‑operatives

and Mutuals Canada (CMC) on their Co-operative Early Learning

and Child Care Research Project. The initiative was led by CMC and funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, with the intention of exploring how the co-operative model can be used to address gaps and barriers in Canada’s ELCC ecosystem.

MAR 2019 We submitted a grant proposal

to the Libro Prosperity Fund, to establish a “Co-operative Business

Succession Incubator” in partnership with Innovation Works London.

Co‑op Development by the numbers

35225individuals were provided with technical assistance and advice through our 411 service.

training workshops, speaking engagements, conferences and networking events were participated in by OCA.

of the 22 new co‑operatives that were incorporated in Ontario were provided information and support by OCA.

13

DO YOU need to connect with other people who have similar roles, shared experiences, or who may have information and expertise to help you solve an issue or challenge you are experiencing at your co‑operative? Give us a call—and let us help you make the right connection! Contact us online or call us toll free at 888.745.5521.

Sector‑Specific Collaborations included the creation of two new committees with the objective of collectively identifying and addressing common issues within a specific (co‑operative) business sector, and collaboratively setting long term goals for improving the business environment for co‑operatives to thrive.

MAY 2018 We held the first meeting of the Agricultural

Co‑op Caucus. REFOCUS Sustainability Co-operative led an interactive session with the

11 participants to draw out common issues facing the AG sector (and co-operatives specifically) and find ways to collaborate on solutions.

AUG 2018 We held the first meeting of the Renewable

Energy Co‑op Caucus. The 13 participants began identifying the sector’s specific needs, how OCA

can best support them, and some of the current legislation and regulatory issues that need to be addressed.

DEC 2018 We held second meetings for both Caucuses, to

continue the discussions on how to collectively improve the business environment for these

business sectors.

Connecting Co‑operatives is a strategic area that often overlaps with other programs and initiatives, as its focus is keeping people and co‑operatives connected with one another—be it through news, events, networks and caucuses. Here are a few other ways we have worked to create connections this past year…

JUL 2018 We relaunched our Find‑a‑Co‑op online tool in

a new format on our website. The tool includes an interactive map and allows users to locate any

incorporated co-operative in Ontario.

JUL 2018 We began promoting our Associate Members

as potential Co‑op Service Providers for co-operatives to contact when they need specific

products or services. These include lawyers, accountants, consultants and contractors, who we have vetted to ensure they’re knowledgeable about the co-operative business model and what makes it unique.

JAN 2019 We attended the Kitchener-Waterloo Co-op

Network’s “New Year Networking Event” hosted at Together We’re Bitter Co‑operative Brewing in

Kitchener. The event brought fellow co-operators together to network, learn and celebrate the vibrant co-operative sector in the region.

2018–19AnnualReport

58+18+10+11+2+1E58%

18%

10%

11%

Dues: $387,120

Grants and Donations: $121,031

Registrations: $66,506

Sponsorship: $72,950

Services and Products: $11,355 (2%)

Interest: $5,564 (<1%)

Total: $664,526

Financial Highlights

RevenueMembership dues, grant and donation income, event registration and sponsorship

provide us with the bulk of our financial resources to develop, engage, educate and advocate for our members and the province’s more than 1,500 co‑operatives.

45+29+13+11+1+1E45%

29%

13%

11%

Dues: $374,741

Grants and Donations: $240,531

Registrations: $108,660

Sponsorship: $90,249

Services and Products: $12,258 (1%)

Interest: $5,012 (1%)

Total: $831,451

2017–182018–19

74+9+15+2+E74%

9%

15%

Wages: $321,931

Total: $432,442

Rent & Utilities: $36,720

Other Admin. Expenses: $63,091 Professional

Services: $10,700 (2%)

Program Support ExpendituresCorporate and contract staff wages, rent and utilities, professional services (i.e., consultants), and other administrative expenses support our programs

and organization, making the work we do possible.

Financial Highlights (continued)

75+10+11+4+E75%

10%

11%

4%

Wages: $254,372

Total: $338,177

Rent & Utilities: $34,813

Other Admin. Expenses: $36,190 Professional

Services: $12,802

2017–182018–19

26+39+35+E26%

39%

35%

$65,975

Total: $252,021

$88,919 13

$97,1272

1 Be the voice of co‑operatives in Ontario*

2 Be the advocate for the co‑operative principles**

3 Be the facilitator of co‑operative solutions***

Strategic Direction ExpendituresOur work reflects our mandate to:

Financial Highlights (continued)

2018–19 17+31+52+E17%

31%

52%

$72,959

$135,389

Total: $435,903

$227,555 13

2

2017–18

* Includes Government Relations and Membership.

** Includes Co-operative Education (CYL, A4E and Training) and Communications.

*** Includes Co-operative Development (Trillium Grant) and Research.

2018–19AnnualReport

On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force. They are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and a call for action by all countries—poor, rich and middle‑income—to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.

How co‑operatives can support the goalDecent Work and Economic Growth By 2030, 1.9 billion young people are projected to turn 15, and will need skills, jobs and livelihoods to realize their full potential and lead meaningful lives. Co-operatives are a solution for creating meaningful employment. #CoopsCreateJobs

Sustainable Cities and Communities By 2030, it is projected that 6 out of 10 people will be urban dwellers. However, as more people migrate to cities in search of a better life and urban populations grow, housing issues intensify. Co-operatives provide access to affordable housing. #CoopsProvideHousing

Partnerships for the Goals The Sustainable Development Goals can only be met if we work together. To build a better world, we need to be supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate, and above all, cooperative. #CooperationAmongCoops

How we are supporting the goalsOCA is committed to helping achieve

these goals. In 2017, our membership moved to adopt a Resolution to support the SDGs. We continue to support them through our daily work and mission: to provide co-operatives with support

and services in the areas of business development, advocacy and education,

and create opportunities to unite, collaborate and celebrate as one voice and movement. By encouraging co-operatives to connect, work and act as a co-ordinated group, we strive to build a higher profile with the public, government and with each other. By supporting the very co-operatives that have the power to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 goals, we are doing our part to help.

How is your co‑operative supporting the #globalgoals?Co-operatives are a natural fit for sustainable development—and a major contributor to it. After all, they are active in many different global industries, including finance, housing, agriculture and energy, to name a few. Governed by seven guiding principles, co-operatives across the world humanize our economy. Learn more about the SDGs and how you can support them.

#GlobalGoals

SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

2018–19AnnualReport

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJoel Lalonde, Central 1 Credit Union (Chair)

Michelle Vieira, Ag Energy Co-operative (Vice-Chair)

Janice Johnson, GROWMARK, Inc. (Treasurer)

Crystal McNerney, CHF Canada, Ontario Region (Secretary)

Laura Toombs, Ag Energy Co-operative (Youth Director)

Maureen Gillespie, The Co-operators

Sally Miller, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

Hugh Nelson, Y’s Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre

Jennifer Woodhouse, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

STAFF TEAMErin Morgan, Executive Director

Peter Cameron, Co-op Development Manager & Acting Executive Director (from January 2019)

Audrey Aczel, Communications and Event Manager

Lee Davis, Office Manager

Carol Fleming, Director, Co-operative Young Leaders (from January 2019)

Jennifer Ross, Member Relations Manager

CANADA SUMMER JOBS STUDENTSIsabel Moore (July–August 2018)

Trevor Vyn (July–August 2018)

CONSULTANTS Barking Dog Studios—Website hosting

BDO Canada LLP—Auditors

Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs—Government relations support

Calculated Success—Bookkeeping (to November 2018)

Carefree IT—IT Support

Isaac Reputation Group—Public Relations support

Lerners LLP—Legal Services

Lind Design—Graphic design

Moss Digital—Website support

Royal City Bookkeeping—Bookkeeping (from November 2018)

COMMITTEESCo‑op Development

Crystal McNerney, CHF Canada, Ontario Region (Chair)

Simon Berge, University of Winnipeg

Nancy Bradley, Parent Co-operative Pre-school Corporation

Paul Cajab, Co-operatives & Mutuals Canada

Peter Cameron, Ontario Co-operative Association

Wendy Carruthers, The Co-operators

Russ Christianson, Rhythm Communications

David Cork, TREC

Sally Miller, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

Hugh Nelson, Y’s Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre

Vito Sculeri (independent)

Our People

Co‑op Education

Maureen Gillespie, The Co‑operators (Chair)

Kim De Lallo (independent)

Fiona Duguid (independent)

Carol Fleming, Ontario Co-operative Association

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Laura Toombs, Ag Energy Co-operative

Jennifer Woodhouse, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

Musanda Yamfwa (independent)

Finance

Janice Johnson, GROWMARK, Inc. (Chair)

Peter Cameron, Ontario Co-operative Association

Joel Lalonde, Central 1 Credit Union

Sally Miller, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Jennifer Woodhouse, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

Governance & Membership

Hugh Nelson, Y’s Owl Maclure Co‑operative Centre (Chair)

Joel Lalonde, Central 1 Credit Union

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Jennifer Ross, Ontario Co-operative Association

Government Relations

Michelle Vieira, Ag Energy Co‑operative (Chair)

Peter Cameron, Ontario Co-operative Association

Sara Cleland, The Co-operators

David Cork, TREC

Crystal McNerney, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Maya Milardovic, The Co-operators

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Hugh Nelson, Y’s Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre

Scott Parry, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Simone Swail, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Laura Toombs, Ag Energy Co-operative

Joint Government Relations (OCA and CCO)

Michelle Vieira, Ag Energy Co‑operative (Chair)

Sarah Cleland, The Co-operators

David Cork, TREC

Pierre Dorval, ACPOL

Julien Geremie, Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario

Thierry Lasserre, Alliance Francaise

Maya Milardovic, The Co-operators

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Luc Morin, Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario

Scott Parry, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Simone Swail, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Hosni Zaouali, Voila Learning

Human Resources

Michelle Vieira, Ag Energy Co‑operative (Chair)

Maureen Gillespie, The Co-operators

Jessica Stanley, The Co-operators

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Nominating

Michelle Vieira, Ag Energy Co‑operative (Chair)

Sally Miller, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

Jennifer Ross, Ontario Co-operative Association

Jennifer Woodhouse, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

Our People (continued)

Regulatory Affairs

Ian Shewan, Lerners LLP (Chair)

Glenn Agro, BDO Dunwoody

Ryan Azotini, The Co-operators

Peter Cameron, Ontario Co-operative Association

Sean Campbell, Union: Sustainable Development Co-operative

Harvey Cooper, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

David Cork, TREC

Aaron Denhartog, CHF Canada, Ontario Region

Doug Dowhos, Team Werks Co-operative

Julien Geremie, Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario

Ove Hansen, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

Ted Hyland, Iler Campbell LLP

Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

Luc Morin, Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario

John Rebry, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

Dave Robertson, Prentice, Yates & Clark

MEMBERSHIP 75 organizations, co-operative federations, associations, Co-op Service Providers and individuals represent a diversity of Ontario’s English-speaking co-operatives and credit unions, and provide 58 percent of our annual funding.

Ag Energy Co-operative

The Agency for Co-operative Housing

AGRIS Solar Co-operative

Associated Toronto Taxi-Cab Co-op (Co-op Cabs)

Beach Community Energy Co-operative

Beef Farmers of Ontario

Brooke Telecom

Caisse populaire des Voyageurs

Canadian Worker Co-op Federation

Central 1 Credit Union

CL Chamberlain Communication

Common Ground Co-operative

Community Energy Development Co-operative

Community Power Northumberland Co-operative

Concentra

Conestoga Meat Packers

Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario

Co-op Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region

Creekside Senior Estates Co-op

Dale A. Holland, Barrister & Solicitor

Dandelion Health Food Co-op

Darren Dubois

Frontline Credit Union

Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa

Gay Lea Foods Co-operative

GROWMARK, Inc.

Hay Communications Co-operative

Homestarts

Iler Campbell LLP Barristers & Solicitors

J. David McAuley Architect

Skill Squirrel

Kingston Community Credit Union

La Siembra Co-operative

Lerners LLP

Libro Credit Union

LIFE Co-op

Lind Design

Local Food and Farm Co-operative

Our People (continued)

London Brewing Co-op

Meridian Credit Union

Mountain Equipment Co-op

NextGen Muslim Fulfillment Co-operative

North Central Co-op

Ontario Credit Union Foundation

Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative

Ontario Equity Housing Co-operative

Ontario Musicians Co-operative

Ontario Mutual Insurance Association

Ontario Organic Farmers Co-operative

Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative

PACE Credit Union

PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise

Partners Indemnity Insurance Brokers

Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation

Prentice Yates & Clark

Quadro Communications Co-operative

REFOCUS Sustainability Co-operative

Reliance, Property Management Division

Rhythm Communications

Richmond Community Management Services

RZCD Law Firm LLP

SolarShare Co-operative

Sonam Dolma

Team Werks Co-operative

The Co-operators

Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing

TREC

Union: Sustainable Development Co-operative

Williams, Payne and Associates

Windsor Family Credit Union

Winestone Laval & Co.

Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham

Y’s Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre

Your Credit Union

Zachary Fang

FUNDING PARTNERS These partners provided us with essential resources to help us execute and expand on some of our key programming areas…

Libro Credit Union—for awarding us a $15,000 grant from their Prosperity Fund.

Service Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy Canada Summer Jobs Program—for allowing us to hire two summer students.

SPONSORSMany of our programs and events are funded solely through registrations and sponsorships. This helps us leverage the funding and resources provided by our members. The following organizations generously sponsored us in 2018…

Lerners LLP—for sponsoring the April 2018 “Best Practices for Co-operative Businesses” seminar.

The Co‑operators—for their generous support of our Government Relations and Communications initiatives.

The Sponsors of the 2018 CYL program.

VOLUNTEERSA very special thank you to our 23 CYL Facilitators who helped make the 2018 program year a success!

Our People (continued)

Connect with us!

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@ONcooperatives

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ontario.coop

info@ontario.coop

Phone: 519.763.8271 Toll free: 888.745.5521

30 Douglas Street Guelph, ON N1H 2S9