Co-op Development InfoService

Canada’s two national co-op associations have created a new information service aimed at providing a first point of contact for groups who are interested in starting a co-op. The Co-op Development InfoService, which was launched on March 31 by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil candien de la coopération et de la mutualité, includes a toll-free telephone number, a dedicated e-mail address and co-op development information on the CCA and CCCM websites. The InfoService is funded by the federal government through the Advisory Services component of the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI). The object of the service is to make it easier for people to obtain co-op development information and assistance, regardless of where they live in Canada. Provincial co-op associations will continue to be responsible for "on-the-ground" co-op development, and in many cases, users of the InfoService will be referred to the appropriate provincial association. There are three ways to contact the InfoService: by phone at 1-877-268-9588 (toll-free), by email atcoopdev@coopscanada.coop (English) or devcoop@cccm.coop or by visiting the InfoService pages on the CCA or CCCM websites.