Learn more about how co-ops work on a high-level.
As compared to other co-operatives, such as consumer co-ops, credit co-ops, agricultural co-ops and workers co-ops, housing co-operatives have had a slow start due to a number of constraints unique to housing, not due to a lack of need. Housing co-operatives require a large investment at the start, something which the working class have never been able to make the initial commitment to without some kind of state or outside private support. Furthermore, housing markets take a long time to react to new demands and are prone to booms and slumps. Investment, therefore, can be a high risk. Prior to co-operatives, other forms of tenure developed to support the need for working class housing, including private renting, philanthropic housing associations, and mortgaged owner-occupation.
Much of the early housing co-operatives were formed using funds from the capital-rich consumer co-ops. Some co-operative housing continues to be developed through the initial support of consumer, credit, construction, housing, and other co-operatives. Trade unions and churches have played a major role in the development of co-operative housing. (Birchall, 1997)
Rochdale Pioneers start the first successful retail co-operative in Rochdale, England, providing cheap, unadulterated goods to its members. They established a set of principles, including the following which are still practised today: open membership; one member, one vote; limited return on share capital; not-for-profit operation; continuous education; and co-operation among co-operatives.
Guelph Campus Co-operative, in Canada, establishes as a retail co-op, which later adds a student housing component.
The Antigonish Movement, led by Moses Coady of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada encourages retail and farm co-ops to form. The movement also promotes building co-ops, which enable members to build houses for one another. When all are housed, the co-op dissolves, leaving the members as individual owners. 1936
Campus Co-operative Residence, owned and operated by students, is established at the University of Toronto to provide housing for students and is the first permanent housing co-operative in Canada.
Willow Park Housing Co-operative opens in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is the first permanent housing co-operative for families in Canada.
Through amendments to the National Housing Act the federal government of Canada (under CMHC-Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) launches the first program to develop housing co-ops. Over 60,000 co-op homes are created across Canada under subsequent federal and provincial programs.
Federal government withdrawal from funding new co-op housing in Canada. Some provinces and municipalities continue or begin to provide funding.
From the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies
The Alberta Cooperatives Act (Act) governs all types of cooperatives except utility cooperatives and credit unions. A wide range of traditional cooperatives operate in Alberta and each offers a different service to its members. These include retail, transportation, breeder, feeder, seed cleaning, grazing and marketing cooperatives. There are also specialty cooperatives for housing and employment, and multi-stakeholder and new generation cooperatives, which have additional requirements.
The Cooperatives Regulation has been adopted on a general basis so it can be customized to suit the varying needs of all types of cooperatives. Some sections specify that articles or by-laws may make other provisions, keeping in mind good business practices and the cooperative principles. Download the regulations' document below.
The Act sets out specific guidelines and procedures that must be adhered to. However, it does allow for some variance by giving cooperatives the option of being more elaborate or restrictive, depending on the type of entity. The Act outlines details including the legal responsibilities of cooperatives, procedures for incorporation, roles and responsibilities of members, officers and directors, penalties for violation and procedures for dissolution.
The Director of Cooperatives is appointed under Part 15, Division I of the Act. The Director is responsible for administering Alberta’s cooperative legislation. The Director can be reached at:
Consumer Services & Land Titles Division
3rd Floor, Commerce Place
10155-102 St.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4
Telephone: (780) 427-5210
Fax: (780) 427-3033
Website: http://www.gov.ab.ca/gs
please contact the Queen’s Printer Bookstore at
780-427-4088 in Edmonton or
Toll-free in Alberta at 1-877-427-4088
Visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/qp
E-mail address: qp@gov.ab.ca
A summary of the legislation can also be found on Alberta Government Services’ website at http://www.gov.ab.ca/gs.
Unless otherwise specified, the information below refers to cooperatives governed by the Cooperatives Act.
The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.