Worker Co-op Profiles

Worker Co-ops are actively involved in the economic and socio-economic fabric of their communities. This page gives a sampling of worker co-ops.

Interview with L’Argot

As part of International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re highlighting women entrepreneurs and the co-operatives in our network that are exclusively (or predominately) led by women. Marie Bordeleau and Fannie Poirier, co-founders of Coop l’Argot, sat down with Réseau COOP to answer some questions. Réseau COOP: Can you introduce your co-op in a few Interview with L’Argot


Read more

Wayfinders Co-op Helps Small Businesses Forge a Common Path

By Kenzie Love Whatever their area of expertise, small businesses today often face an uphill battle when it comes to competing against large corporations whose resources are difficult to match. But Wayfinders Business Co-operative of Edmonton is trying to make this competition a little easier by creating an environment where small businesses, freelancers and others Wayfinders Co-op Helps Small Businesses Forge a Common Path


Read more

 Ambient Bookkeeping Offers a Winning Formula for Any Balance Sheet

By Kenzie Love Many bookkeepers face an unappealing choice between the lack of autonomy in working for a large firm and the hassles associated with going it on their own. Launched in April of 2020, Saskatchewan’s Ambient Bookkeeping aims to provide its members with greater control over their labour than is typical in the sector  Ambient Bookkeeping Offers a Winning Formula for Any Balance Sheet


Read more

Viridian Energy Co-operative Spreads the Warmth of Community

By Kenzie Love In 2012, three alumni from Vancouver Island University’s Green Building & Renewable Energy Program, inspired by the publicity surrounding the International Year of the Co-op, decided to create a worker co-op of their own: a renewable energy installer that would combine their skill sets while meeting the triple bottom line. The result Viridian Energy Co-operative Spreads the Warmth of Community


Read more

Future Looks Bright for SolarShare

By Kenzie Love Founded in 2010, SolarShare is Canada’s largest renewable energy co-op. The Co-op owns and operates commercial-scale solar systems throughout Ontario. Once the systems are completed and generating revenue, they are refinanced with community investment—Solar Bonds—from over 2,000 members.  Investors in Solar Bonds are also members of the Co-op who are eligible to Future Looks Bright for SolarShare


Read more

Glorious Organics Values Co-operation, Communication, and Community

By Kenzie Love One of the first certified organic farms in BC’s Fraser Valley, Glorious Organics began with a group of farmers who seized an opportunity to supply the Northwest Territories pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver with a then-novel product: pre-cut salads. The concept was successful enough that the farmers decided they could make Glorious Organics Values Co-operation, Communication, and Community


Read more

Oasis Lavenders Cooperative Treats the Senses and Nourishes the Soul

By Kenzie Love Oasis Lavenders Cooperative is a working farm, but as its name would suggest, it’s also a refuge of sorts. Located in the town of Summerland in BC’s Okanagan Valley, the traditional unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people, the farm offers visitors a multisensory experience, while at the same time providing a corridor Oasis Lavenders Cooperative Treats the Senses and Nourishes the Soul


Read more