The Common Share

In this episode, we talk to our new Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Cathy Edwards. As a founding member of Heartlinked Community Service Co-op, entrepreneur, and business plan writer, Cathy has great insights about getting a co-op running, hiring staff, getting your message out, and more!

Co-operatives are businesses that bring people together — but how do you make sure everyone involved in your co-op is working towards the same goal? In this episode, our Director of Education Kyle White talks about what a co-op's leaders can do to make sure its members, staff, and board are all on the same page about the co-op's purpose and goals, which is key to its success.  To learn m...

Co-ops can be a great way for people to tackle local issues and embrace opportunities. But not everyone has access to resources that can help them learn about the model in a way that speaks to them.  The non-profit organization In My Own Voice (iMOVe) recently created a guidebook to starting conversations about co-operatives, written specifically for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour (BIPOC...

In this episode, we talk to  Dr. Anna Lund about what fiduciary duties are, what they mean for co-ops, and take a deep dive into the decisions made by the board of Mountain Equipment Co-op. Dr. Lund is a law professor at the University of Alberta who studies insolvency and bankruptcy law, and gives an insightful look at some key concepts for co-op boards.

Federated Co-operatives Limited is committed to sustainability. In this episode, FCL's Director of Sustainability, Vern Albush, joined us to talk about what sustainability means, and why co-ops are well-placed to be leaders in sustainable practices. 

In this episode, Karri-Lynn Paul tells our Indigenous Relations Lead Trista Pewapisconias about the "abundance" approach to economic and community development. In this approach communities ask, "what gifts and talents do we already have?" and build on those advantages. 

Across Canada, housing costs are rising. Housing co-operatives have often been used to provide stable, affordable housing, and more people are interested in how co-ops can work in the current environment. Union Co-operative is a new housing co-op in Waterloo, Ontario that aims to provide permanent affordable housing by having members collectively purchase properties. Its Executive Director, Sean C...

In this helpful discussion, entrepreneur and consultant Cathy Edwards gives insights into the process of starting a co-operative and how to plan for sustainability and success. 

Living in small towns shouldn't be seen as just a cheap alternative to cities. People should choose to live in rural areas because they love their communities and the lifestyle they provide. Rural futurist Mary Doyle, founder of ruralonpurpose.com, spoke to us about intentional rural living and envisioning the future of small communities. 

Co-ops tend to choose their boards of directors through elections at their annual meetings. But are there other methods? In this episode, Dr. Simon Pek from the University of Victoria discusses the idea of using a lottery instead of an election to select a co-op board. Check out this episode for a breakdown of an interesting and innovative democratic process. 

Not every co-op project works out. Sometimes groups with good intentions decide the business won't pan out the way they'd hoped — but even the "unsuccessful" projects provide valuable progress. In this episode, Co-operatives First board member and cattle producer Eric Moes talks about starting and ultimately letting go of a co-op project, and the lessons learned along the way.

Tanner speaks with Gordon Casey from Brave Co-op — a tech co-operative in  BC that's created overdose-preventing apps and products. This incredible co-op is making a real difference in people's lives, and Casey talks about the company's approach and how its products save lives. 

In this episode, Business Development Lead Heather Hallgrimson spoke to Jessica Mason, Co-director of Start.coop. This organization helps get co-ops started in the United States, and Heather and Jessica speak about their experience with co-op start-ups, whether co-ops need to scale, and much more.

Montreal-based Eva Co-op is a rideshare and delivery service co-operative that puts its members in the driver's seat. Eva was launched in 2019 in part as a response to similar companies that often failed to support their workers.   In this episode, Tanner spoke to Eva COO Dardan Isufi about this innovative co-op and how it has adapted to the changing economy.

Canada has work to do when it comes to providing childcare options for families. But by starting a co-op, parents can create a daycare that provides them with the spaces and services they need. In this episode, Dr. Jen Budney from the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives talks about the landscape of Canadian daycare and how co-ops can play a part in making things better. 

People in small towns have great ideas for improving their communities — but getting started can be intimidating.  Becky McCray — small-town entrepreneur and creator of the website Smal Biz Survival — spoke to us about fostering "Idea friendly" communities, and starting small to make big changes. 

Canada's media industry is in a tough spot. In the latest episode of the Common Share, hear how the people behind New Feeling — a co-op of music writers — are using a co-op to make their work more sustainable.

What is a multi-stakeholder co-op? Why would you choose to use this model? This episode explores these questions with two knowledgeable guests: Manitoba lawyer Kristen Wittman, and Stocksy United CEO Mike Cook. Listen to learn more about this interesting co-op structure, and the circumstances when it is a good choice for your business. 

We are so pleased to bring you this conversation with Senator Marty Klyne. Senator Klyne has a wealth of knowledge and experience with economic development in Indigenous communities and is an advocate for the use of co-operative businesses. We're honoured to have him on the podcast to give his insights from a long and impressive career.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation has achieved immense economic growth in the past 30 years. In this fascinating episode, Chief Darcy Bear talks about the success of his Nation's economic development strategy, the history of his community, and the importance of collaboration. 

When the pandemic started, Modo Carshare Co-op's business took a big hit. But by focusing on what was best for their members and staff, the co-op has weathered the crisis. In this episode, we talk to Patrick Nangle, CEO of Modo, about carsharing, the co-op's approach to managing the crisis, and its focus on diversity and anti-racism initiatives. 

What are the secrets to good co-operative governance? Dr. Murray Fulton and his colleagues at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives have identified the three most important pillars that every co-op board needs to guide the business effectively. In this great discussion, Dr. Fulton breaks down these three pillars, and illustrates them with cases of prominent co-op governance gone wrong...

Have you ever met someone who created a new kind of co-op? Neither had we — until we met Manitoba lawyer Kristen Wittman. Tune in for a great conversation about how this co-op legal expert became fascinated by co-ops, the work she's done shaping co-op laws, and some of the cooler co-op projects she's helped get off the ground. 

Co-ops play a big role in keeping communities vibrant in Canada's North. In the latest podcast episode, we spoke to Mary Nirlungayuk from Arctic Co-operatives Limited about her home in the Arctic, and how the co-op federation benefits towns like hers. 

Community Investment Co-ops are an exciting way to support community development. They allow people to invest their money in local businesses and initiatives. A CIC — also known as an Opportunity Development Co-op in Alberta — pools the investment money of local residents, and lends it to start-ups, uses it for renewable energy projects, and more. Investors get to see their dollars at work in thei...