Blog

By Kenzie Love As a self-described “pracademic”, Dr. Julia Fursova balances theory with practice—ensuring that research informs real-world solutions, and practice shapes evidence-based strategies. Thus it was fitting that Fursova, a member of the nonprofit consulting co-op Transform Practice, was inspired by her experience with the co-op to dig deeper into the systemic issues that … Research Project Seeks to Strengthen Network of Co-ops Led By Equity-Denied Groups

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By Kenzie Love Declining institutional trust is a well-documented problem around the world today, and Canada is no exception. The sense is not just of existential threats to society — income inequality, the climate crisis, political polarization, and others — but of a lack of faith in many of the institutions tasked with addressing these … Canadians’ Trust In Co-ops Endures Through Tough Times

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By Kenzie Love The UN General Assembly’s recent decision to recognize an International Year of Co-operatives every decade was celebrated by the co-operative sector as a landmark declaration. Following the conclusion of the second such instance last year, the designation offers an opportunity to look back at its objectives and how they were achieved, and … UN Declaration Shines Spotlight on Co-operatives’ Potential

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By Kenzie Love With the recent round of cuts to the Washington Post, attention has been drawn once again to the ongoing challenges facing North America’s news media. While the role of a free press is as vital as ever, a shrinking number of understaffed news outlets is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a … Co-op News Outlets Seek to Address Crisis Facing the News Media

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By Kenzie Love In recent years, there’s been a growing consensus that infinite economic growth, the basis for the capitalist economy, is inconsistent with the finite resources of a fragile planet, one in which a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is urgently needed.  But as Hettie O’Brien noted in a 2023 article, “there are … Worker Co-ops Can Play a Key Part in Doughnut Economics

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By Kenzie Love CWCF’s Common Good Capital program is so named for a reason. The program, which allows for self-directed investment through Registered Retirement Savings Plans (SD-RRSP) and Self-Directed Tax-Free Savings Accounts (SD-TFSA), supports co-ops of all types, non-profits, and CED investment funds to raise capital through these plans. Accordingly, participating enterprises benefit because it … CWCF’s Common Good Capital Program Benefits Enterprises, Individuals, and CWCF

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By Kenzie Love Members of the co-op sector from over 30 countries gathered in Portugal last month for the Global Co-op Innovation Summit. The Summit was organized with the intention of inspiring, promoting, and fostering the development of cooperative and mutual enterprises around the world, with a theme of Facing Tipping Points Through Cooperative Innovation. … Global Co-op Innovation Summit Reaffirms Value of Co-operation Among Co-ops

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By Kenzie Love The title of Ludovic Viger’s new book The Great Canadian Reset says it all. Faced with a series of interlocking political, economic, and environmental crises, the current system isn’t sustainable and can’t be fixed with some minor tweaks. Instead, a full “reset” is required.  The subtitle of his book is clear on … Author Envisions Co-operative “Reset” for Canada

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The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives’ 2024 Top Co-op Issues Survey Report contained many of the same issues from years past in the top spots, with lack of awareness once again in the lead. Further down the list, however, was a newer issue, one that while not cited by as many people, has … Federations Have a Critical Role to Play in Building the Co-operative Ecosystem

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By Kenzie Love The problems with AI are well-known, and the promise of this technology is likely overstated. Thus as David Montgomery observes, “it’s risky to leave it in the hands of distant corporations.” As in other instances, however, the work being undertaken by co-ops may offer an alternative to the current domination by a … Co-op AI Aims to Offer an Alternative to Corporate Platforms

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