Worker Co-op Profiles

  By Kenzie Love It all started with a Facebook post. Daniel Ramjattan, a Toronto guitar teacher, had taken to social media to express his frustration with the exploitative practices of traditional music schools. To his surprise, he received a flood of responses from other musicians expressing similar sentiments. The ensuing conversation spurred the creation … Just and Accessible Music School Strikes a Chord With Both Teachers and Students

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By Kenzie Love When it comes to building houses, Winnipeg’s Sun Certified Builders Co-operative firmly believes that less is more. By building “passive houses”, well-insulated buildings that require little energy for heating or cooling, Sun Certified’s builders are able to deliver houses that have a lower carbon footprint than ones heated or cooled with conventional … Sun Certified Proves That Less Can Be More

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By Kenzie Love Newly incorporated as a co-operative and looking forward to a busy spring and summer, Island Flower Growers Co-operative (IFGC) had its first market of the season scheduled for April 1, 2020. It wasn’t intended as an April Fool’s joke — although by the time that date rolled around, it was clear that … Island Flower Growers Succeeds Amidst Difficult Times

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By Kenzie Love BeetBox Farm  is a worker co-op that places community at the heart of its operations. Established in 2017 near Nepean, Ontario,  its founders were driven by a desire to grow healthy food they could share with people in the surrounding area, primarily through their Community Supported Agriculture program. The BeetBox program allows … BeetBox Farm Cultivates Community

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  When Andrew Loveland started working for Planet Bean in Guelph, Ontario, three years ago, he didn’t know much about worker co-ops. But he had a passion for coffee and an interest in ensuring it was Fairtrade Certified. If those were the things that got him to join Planet Bean, however, it was the worker … Planet Bean Finds Success With New Model

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By Kenzie Love In the almost 20 years since it set up shop in Nelson, BC, the Kootenay Bakery Cafe’ Cooperative has developed a reputation for nourishing food and a welcoming environment. The Cafe’ has always emphasized customer service — with the understanding that what’s good for its customers is good for its employees too. … Kootenay Bakery Cafe’ Co-operative Has Found a Recipe for Success

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