Co-operatives have been working within our economic system for centuries. Millions of Canadians are members of co-operatives, but very few know what a co-operative actually is. This course highlights the nature of a co-operative and the unique management and governance features that exist within this business enterprise. Upon completing this course students have a basic understanding of what a co-operative is and what it does within our economy and society. This course introduces the factors that encourage the development of co-operatives and how these factors could affect the future development of co-operatives in Canada.
One path to co-operative studies : a selection of papers and presentations by Cooperative agriculture - HD 1491 – HD 1491.5
Communal ownership - HD 1286 -- HD 1289
Cooperation and Cooperative ownership - HD 2951 - HD 3575, with regional societies (e.g. Manitoba found in HD 3450)
Credit unions - HG 2035 - HD 2039
Seven International Co-operative Principles
1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control
3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation
4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
5th Principle: Education, Training and Information
6th Principle: Co-operation among Co-operatives
7th Principle: Concern for Community