All About Co-operatives With roots in England in the mid-1800s,
co-operatives evolved as an economic and business model tailored
to meet the specific needs of a refined group of people. Near
the end of the 19th century, the concept took root in Quebec,
which today is home to more co-ops than anywhere else on the
continent. In Western Canada, the co-operative movement centred
around the growth of the grain pools in each of the Prairie
provinces as a means to help farmers source affordable inputs,
and increase their marketing power on international markets.
Despite the fact that more than 1.4 million Ontarians are
members of at least one co-operative, the general public, as
well as academics, business leaders and Government officials are
by-and-large unaware of co-ops and their power as a positive
economic and societal force. Support co-operatives with your
wallet: Buy Gay Lea or Organic Meadow dairy products, ride in a
Co-op Cab or shop at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Thirsty: Try
Welch's, Sunkist or Ocean Spray.