By Hazel Corcoran
- Capital Gains Tax Exemption for sale of businesses to worker co-ops
- Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada 2026 Congress and Awards
- Update on CWCF Co-Executive Director search process and looking to the fall
- Appreciation for outgoing CWCF Executive Assistant Chloë Williams, welcome to temporary, part-time replacements, Sarah Leeson-Klym and Hannah Rackow
- My few weeks of medical leave start this afternoon.
As I write this, CWCF is still feeling energized by the federal government’s recent decision to permanently exempt the first $10 million of a business owner’s capital gain from the sale of their existing business to a worker co-operative, or employee ownership trust. This was a huge success in our lobbying efforts, for which we thank Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, Social Capital Partners, and Employee Ownership Canada for their support in CWCF’s efforts on this critical issue. While there’s still much work to be done, this illustrates that the government recognizes the role worker co-ops can play in addressing Canada’s looming $2 trillion small business succession crisis.
I was also excited to attend Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada’s 2026 Congress earlier this month, where I received the Co-operator of the Year 2026 award. This was an unexpected honour, and one I certainly couldn’t have received without the co-operation and support of all those who’ve worked alongside me over the years to strengthen Canada’s worker co-op sector – particular shout-out to the boards of directors which have been a great brain trust and the committed, brilliant staff team – past and present! I was very taken aback to receive a standing ovation from this room, and that made it difficult to start into my acceptance speech, which you can see at this link. An added highlight of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Edmonton’s Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative with CMC’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Initiative of the Year Award, just one of many well-deserved awards this Co-op has received for its incredible work. The acceptance speech by Lucenia Ortiz was powerful and moving, as was the video made about MCHB. I encourage you all to watch the video.
The recruitment process for CWCF’s incoming Co-Executive Director continues, a process that has taken slightly longer than originally planned, as the board works hard to find the best person for the job. Whoever is ultimately chosen will be taking on the position at an important point in the life of CWCF, and I look forward to working with them during the remainder of my tenure. My expectation is that during and just after a significant orientation, the two of us will be Co-Executive Directors for a brief while, after which I will be a strategic advisor to the new ED available to respond to questions, and complete a Guidebook to our Programs, Finances, Members, Stakeholders, Allies, Lobbying Proposals, etc. and work on a few significant projects where my legal and other skills are most needed: Common Good Capital, and CWCF’s website in French. In addition, I expect to be out for a couple of weeks in fall for a relatively minor surgery, which will give the new ED a great opportunity to take on full responsibility while I’ve not yet retired.
In any case, CWCF is the members’ organization, long ably led by wonderful, values-driven boards of directors, but the management of its operations will be in the hands of the new management team by mid fall, led by the new Executive Director. Even after 2026, I will be willing to make myself available, on occasion, if they or other staff or board members have questions for me or seek my counsel.
At the same time, my colleagues and I have said goodbye to our outgoing Executive Assistant, Chloë Williams, who is leaving CWCF after three years, to pursue another opportunity. Chloë’s planning and organizational skills and knack for a good spreadsheet were much appreciated during her time with us, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours. The only upside is that the new Executive Director will be able to choose their Assistant. Further, we are very pleased to have a couple of part-time staff members starting this week to fill in until then. For conference planning primarily, we welcome Sarah Leeson-Klym of Winnipeg, formerly Associate Director / Director of Regional and Strategic Initiatives at CCEDNet. And for work primarily on French and some miscellaneous projects, we welcome back Hannah Rackow, a bilingual U of Toronto PhD student originally from Montreal now living in New York, who has worked as a very able assistant at CWCF off and on for several years. Last but certainly not least, some of the work on the financial tracking area will now be carried out by our Common Good Capital Assistant, Lindsay Reid who works out of our head office in Kentville, Nova Scotia. In sum, thanks to Chloë for the great work, and we look forward to (increased) collaboration with Sarah, Hannah, and Lindsay!
One unexpected piece of news: due to some health challenges, including a new thyroid issue, I will be on medical leave starting today. I simply need this space to look after my health. These issues are quite manageable, but need attention which I’ve been unable to give, or not adequately. In the interim, CWCF has invoked its emergency succession plan, and Kaye Grant will be the Acting Executive Director in my absence. Other than Common Good Capital work and other core priorities, CWCF staff for the next few weeks will be on minimal mode/ triage of priorities, medical leave, &/or summer vacation. Please give CWCF’s other staff (i.e., minus Chloe and me) the grace to recognize that our small, 6 FTE staff team is suddenly without almost 1/3 of the staffing hours. Thank you for your consideration and your patience, and I’ll be back at my desk in a few weeks.
I wish you all a great summer filled with co-operation and solidarity!