Ever-innovating co-ops meet new community needs
Saskatchewan’s co-operative movement, rooted in the early 20th century, has a legacy of addressing local needs through collaborative models. Agricultural and retail co-ops like Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) have long been the backbone of the province’s economy, but the emerging focus on community service co-operatives reflects a growing desire for innovative solutions to social challenges. These co-operatives serve as vehicles for community members to pool resources, knowledge, and expertise to tackle shared issues.
One strong example from Saskatchewan is the Bridge City Bicycle Co-op (BCBC) in Saskatoon. BCBC is a volunteer-run co-operative that provides access to affordable bicycles, repair tools, and educational workshops to promote cycling and sustainable transportation. Members and the broader community can learn how to repair their bikes, borrow tools, and participate in community events that foster environmental stewardship and self-sufficiency. By creating a space for people to collaborate, share knowledge, and access resources, BCBC addresses transportation barriers, supports low-income residents, and encourages healthy, sustainable living.
Another example is the Circle Project Co-operative in Regina, which has been providing culturally relevant services to Indigenous families since 1988. The co-operative offers childcare, family support programs, and educational workshops focusing on Indigenous traditions and values. By providing these community-driven services, the Circle Project helps foster cultural preservation while addressing the broader social needs of its members.
However, there remains a significant need for more community service co-operatives across the province. As rural populations shrink and public services become harder to access, new co-operatives could address gaps in healthcare, mental health services, affordable housing, and childcare.
Nationally, community service co-operatives have thrived. In British Columbia, Vancouver’s Co-op Radio provides community-based radio programming, offering a platform for local voices and marginalized communities to share their stories. This co-operative is owned and operated by the listeners and volunteers, demonstrating how the co-operative model can be applied even in the media and arts sectors to serve community needs. Similarly, the ACEM Microcredit Co-operative in Quebec provides financial services to underserved entrepreneurs, particularly immigrants and women, helping create economic opportunities that traditional banking services may not reach.
Internationally, Health Partners in the United States offers an innovative model for healthcare co-operatives. As one of the country’s largest consumer-governed nonprofit healthcare organizations, Health Partners provides insurance coverage and healthcare services with a strong focus on member input and patient-centered care. This co-operative model ensures that decisions are made in the patients’ best interest, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
For Saskatchewan to harness the full potential of community service co-operatives, there needs to be a stronger commitment to co-operative development at both the provincial and local levels. Policy frameworks that encourage co-operative entrepreneurship, provide funding for start-up co-ops, and support governance training are essential.
Research shows that co-operatives tend to be more resilient in times of economic hardship and contribute to community cohesion by fostering local decision-making. The co-operative model also offers an effective, democratic, and community-centered approach to addressing Saskatchewan’s evolving needs. Expanding community service co-operatives can help fill critical gaps in the social safety net, foster local economic growth, and contribute to a more equitable, resilient province.