Funding - Canadian Worker Co-op Federation

Access to capital is often cited as a significant challenge for worker-owned businesses. However, the CWCF has a small fund, the Tenacity Works Fund, which can make investments of up to $50,000 in eligible worker co-operatives. In addition, it is possible to use RRSPs to help finance your co-op, and there are a few programs where one can find friendly financing and even a few cases of granting programs. The following menu items in the Funding section contain information as noted:

At London Brewing Co-op, solidarity works for

Chez London Brewing Co-op, la solidarité sert

Local Values

Valeurs locales

The London Brewing Co-op has put community values at the heart of its business model, sourcing local ingredients, reducing waste, and using reclaimed materials for its new, expanded taproom.

Les valeurs communautaires sont au cœur du modèle d’entreprise de la coopérative London Brewing et se concrétisent par l’utilisation d’ingrédients locaux, la réduction des déchets et l’utilisation de matériaux récupérés pour son nouveau bar agrandi.

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At La Siembra, solidarity works for

Chez La Siembra, la solidarité sert

Fair Trade

le commerce équitable

Ottawa's La Siembra, which imports, produces and sells Camino-brand chocolates and teas, has been around for two decades, and helped established fair trade certification for cocoa-based products.

La Siembra, une entreprise située à Ottawa, importe, produit et vend du chocolat et du thé de la marque Camino. La coopérative existe depuis déjà deux décennies et a aidé à établir la certification de commerce équitable pour les produits à base de cacao.

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At Fourth Pig, solidarity works for

Chez Fourth Pig, la solidarité sert

Sustainability

la Durabilité

The worker-owners at Ontario-based construction co-op Fourth Pig are committed to best practices when it comes to green building, and educating the public about the importance of changing how buildings are made.

Les travailleurs-propriétaires de la coopérative de travail Fourth Pig, en Ontario, se penchent sur les meilleures pratiques de construction écologique et d’éducation du public afin de changer nos façons de construire nos bâtiments.

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At Glitter Bean, solidarity works for

Chez Glitter Bean, la solidarité sert

Safe Spaces

Les espaces sûrs

Halifax's Glitter Bean Café is "explicitly, but not exclusively" a queer space. The worker-owners prioritize hiring queer, gender non-conforming and trans employees, and work to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Le Café Glitter Bean à Halifax est un espace « explicitement, mais pas exclusivement » queer. Les travailleurs-propriétaires priorisent l’embauche d’employés queer, non-conformistes et trans, et œuvrent à créer un environnement accueillant pour tous.

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At Sustainability Solutions Group, solidarity works for

Chez Sustainability Solutions Group, la solidarité sert

a Fossil Free Future

For climate consultancy SSG, business is booming as they help clients reduce emissions and build sustainably.

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At Just Us!, solidarity works for

Chez Just Us!, la solidarité sert

Social Justice

La justice sociale

Nova Scotia's Just Us! Coffee Roasters started small, but now spans three locations and has supported community initiatives while building solidarity with producers in the global south

L’atelier de torréfaction de café Just Us! en Nouvelle-Écosse a débuté comme petite entreprise, mais inclut désormais trois cafés. Just Us! soutient également plusieurs initiatives communautaires tout en tissant des liens de solidarité avec les producteurs de l’hémisphère sud.

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At Multicultural Health Brokers, solidarity works for

Chez Multicultural Health Brokers, la solidarité sert

New Arrivals

Les nouveaux arrivants

Edmonton's MCHB works to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between newcomers and the health care system, using a long-term holistic approach to health and well being in community.

MCHB d'Edmonton travaille afin de combler les fossés linguistiques et culturels entre les nouveaux arrivants et le système de soins de santé. Leur approche envers la santé et le bien-être communautaires est une approche holistique à long terme.

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At Wood Shop, solidarity works for

Chez Wood Shop, la solidarité sert

Community

La Communauté

Vancouver's Wood Shop Workers' Co-op builds high-quality furniture from reclaimed and locally sourced materials, and is growing in ways that benefit community members and local organizations

La Coopérative Wood Shop Workers' Co-op de Vancouver construit des meubles de haute qualité en utilisant du matériel récupéré et de provenance locale, et se développe d’une façon qui bénéficie aux membres de la communauté et aux organismes locaux.

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At Shift Delivery, solidarity works for

Chez Shift Delivery, la solidarité sert

The Climate

le climat

Vancouver's Shift Delivery Co-op offers human-powered delivery and aims to reduce pollution and take cars off the road while creating good jobs. Worker-owners estimate that they have prevented 70 tonnes of CO2 emissions so far.

La coopérative Shift Delivery de Vancouver fournit des livraisons à propulsion humaine et vise à réduire la pollution en diminuant le nombre de voitures sur les routes, tout en créant de bons emplois. Les travailleurs-propriétaires estiment avoir évité l’ajout de 70 tonnes de CO2 dans l’atmosphère jusqu’à présent.

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At Tourne-Sol, solidarity works for

Chez , la solidarité sert

Healthy People

Just outside of Montreal, the worker-members of cooperative organic farm Tourne-Sol have been growing healthy food and healthy business practices, including training in holistic management and nonviolent communication.

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At Organic Planet, solidarity works for

Chez Organic Planet, la solidarité sert

Local Producers

Producteurs locaux

With roots stretching back to the 1970s, Winnipeg's Organic Planet has thrived as a worker co-op since 2003. The cooperative sources many products from local producers, offers a delectable vegan deli, and is committed to workplace democracy.

Avec des racines qui remontent aux années 1970, la coopérative Planet Organic de Winnipeg s’épanouit comme coopérative de travail depuis 2003. La coopérative, qui s’approvisionne chez des producteurs locaux pour plusieurs de ses produits, comprend une épicerie fine végétalienne délectable et est dévouée à la démocratie en milieu de travail.

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At Hypha, solidarity works for

Chez , la solidarité sert

Movement Building

Toronto-area worker co-op Hypha formed when tech workers gathered to talk about tech in a civic and community-building context. Their consultancy is dedicated to serving clients and building a solidarity economy.

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At The Allium, solidarity works for

Chez , la solidarité sert

Resilience

The pandemic hit the restaurant business hard, but with worker ownership, Calgary's the Allium used its worker-members' creativity to find creative solutions to stay in business.

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