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Manitoba Housing and Community Development

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Manitoba Housing
Manitoba Housing and Community Development

Year of Cooperatives
In December 2009, the United Nations declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives. We will have 366 days to raise awareness and support the cooperative model and celebrate the success of our movement.

Learn more about Manitoba Cooperatives (PDF)

International Year of the Cooperatives Celebrated in Manitoba - News Release

Cooperative Development Services

Cooperative Development Services (CDS) is a branch of Housing and Community Development  that provides support and direction to entrepreneurs who choose the cooperative model. 

Co-ops throughout the province have been recognized for their ability to meet both social and economic goals and contribute to a social economy. Manitoba’s co-ops are sustainable, long-term businesses that focus on:

  • creating meaningful employment
  • promoting social inclusion and social responsibility
  • increasing communities’ sustainable economic capacity
  • developing leadership and a stronger sense of community

The unique social benefits of the co-op model naturally support community economic development (CED) strategies. Community economic development promotes positive, concrete changes in our communities by creating employment, reducing poverty, stabilizing local economies and increasing the control communities have over their own economies. Co-ops are particularly important in northern and remote communities that are focusing on community economic development and allow members/owners to retain and share their profits collectively at the local level.

CDS Co-op developers located in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba provide support and guidance to anyone wanting information and assistance with the following:

Incorporation: Can provide information and advice before you file a request to the Registrar of cooperatives to assist you with the name reservation and Articles of Incorporation.

Counseling services: Can provide basic information and advice to help emerging cooperatives make informed decisions about their projects, as well as provide links to other cooperatives and community economic development organizations as well as referrals to other business specialists specific to your industry. We can also provide you with direction in completing a feasibility study and business plan.

Regulatory: Can help you interpret and comply with the requirements of The Cooperatives Act and regulations and assist in by-law development.

Pathfinding: Can provide technical assistance, information on financing programs and access to other programs and assistance, including training options.

Ongoing Support: Can assist in expansion projects, member recruitment processes, marketing plans and general ongoing networking and referrals.

Cooperative Development Services

New at Cooperative Development Services:

News Releases:

  • January 12, 2012 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
    International Year of the Cooperatives Celebrated in Manitoba
    The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives was launched in Manitoba today at the Legislative Building by Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for co-operative development, and Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh who celebrated the importance of more than 400 co-operatives to the province's economy.
  • April 14, 2011 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
    New Legislation Would Make Co-ops Easier to Launch, More Flexible: Mackintosh, Irvin-Ross
    Manitoba is proposing amendments to The Cooperatives Act that would make it easier to start innovative co-ops that make a difference for families and communities, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
  • October 1, 2010 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
    First-of-its-kind Tax Credit to Spur Co-op Development: Irvin-Ross
    A first-of-its-kind tax credit and the creation of a new development fund will enable established and successful co-ops and credit unions to help new and expanding co-ops, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister esponsible for Cooperative Development, announced today.

Contact Cooperative Development Services:

Cooperative Development Services
Manitoba Housing and Community Development
2nd Floor - 406 Edmonton St. (As of June 30, 2011)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2M2

Phone: 204-945-3379
Fax: 204-948-1065
Toll-free: 1-866-479-6155
Email: co-ops@gov.mb.ca