Social and Solidarity Economy Research: Where We Are and Where We’re Going

On December 17th, join the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives for their 11th Annual MacPherson Talk featuring Dr. Marie J. Bouchard: Social and Solidarity Economy Research: Where We Are and Where We're Going. 

The 11th Annual MacPherson Talk features Dr. Marie J. Bouchard—whose distinguished career has significantly shaped the fields of social and solidarity economy (SSE) research and social innovation and co-operative studies—sharing observations concerning the state of scientific research on the SSE and suggesting how research could contribute to consolidating and shoring up the SSE field. Bouchard’s timely talk comes on the eve of publishing A Modern Guide to the Social and Solidarity Economy (Edward Elgar, January 2026) with co-editor Damien Rousselière (Institut Agro, France), which demonstrates the SSE is more than just another sector of the economy, but a challenge to the dominant economic paradigm by fostering equitable patterns of resource and surplus distribution while promoting democratic, empowering, and emancipatory power relations.

Exploring the Impact of Co-operative Youth Education Programs in Canada – The Perspectives of Alumni featuring Stan Yu

On December 3rd, join the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives for their next Co-op Conversations event: Exploring the Impact of Co-operative Youth Education Programs in Canada - The Perspectives of Alumni. 

Co-operative youth education programs have been offered across Canada for decades, providing experiential learning through day camps and weeklong retreats. These programs aim to build leadership, teamwork, confidence, and communication skills while introducing youth to co-operative values and principles. Thousands of young people have participated in programs such as Camp Kindling in Saskatchewan and Co-operative Young Leaders in Ontario. Despite strong anecdotal evidence of success, there has been little systematic research on their long-term impact.

To address this gap, in 2025 the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives partnered with several organizations to survey alumni of these programs. This Co-op Conversation shares early findings and discusses implications for youth engagement and the future of these programs.

2025 Top Co-ops Issues Survey

For the last nine years, the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) has asked members of the co-operative sector across Canada, “What are the top issues facing co-operatives in Canada today?” Results from last year’s survey can be found here.

As we near the end of 2025, it’s again time to understand whether there were any changes to the co-operative sector's top issues. As always, the CCSC is reaching out to you in your capacity as an executive director, chief executive officer, board chair, or other leader / observer of the Canadian co-operative sector. Please note that the survey is available in English and French. You can change the language on the survey using the language button located on the top righthand corner of the survey.

Your responses will be kept anonymous. The report from this survey, anticipated this winter, will be informed by analysis of aggregated response. The University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board (Beh-REB) has examined and approved this study (BEH#: 2269).

See the 2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Camp Anthology!

The 2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Co-operative Day Camp comic anthology has arrived! This anthology was created by the attendees of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association’s Comic Book & Graphic Novel Co-operative Day Camp.

Led by local artists, illustrators, and writers over three weeks in July, our comic book campers learned about story structure, page composition, pacing, materials, and creative techniques. Inspired by the co-operative spirit, each camper created their own unique comic, all of which have been assembled here. 

Read our 2024-25 Annual Report

Our 2024-25 Annual Report is now available to read online!

This report features messages from the Board Chair and Executive Director, reports on programming, and audited financials. We encourage anyone interested in the activities of our organization to read this report. 

Business NOT As Usual National Campaign and Launch Event

We’ve partnered with co-operative associations across Canada to launch Business NOT As Usual — a national campaign aimed at inspiring youth about the possibilities of the co-operative model.

The campaign will officially launch on October 16th with Business NOT as Usual: Own Your Future, a national virtual event. Attendees will hear from futurists, researchers, and young co-op leaders who are proving there’s more than one way forward. From affordable housing to fair work to local ownership, this conversation is about rethinking "business as usual" - and reimagining how everyone can be part of it.

You learn more about this campaign and register for the event at www.businessnotasusual.ca.

Co-ops & Cocktails: International Year of Co-operatives Celebration!

We're launching a series of Co-ops & Cocktails networking events to promote and celebrate co-operatives in Saskatchewan! Our first event will take place on October 14th at the Remai Modern from 5-7 PM where we will celebrate the International Year of Co-operatives. 

Join us for an evening of connection and conversation as we lift up the unique power of cooperative businesses. Whether you're a seasoned co-op member, a founder, or a professional working in a traditional corporate environment, this event offers a unique opportunity to expand your network and gain new perspectives. This isn't just for co-op experts—it's for anyone curious about innovative business models, social impact, and building a more resilient economy.

Why attend?

• Discover a New Business Frontier: Learn why co-ops are one of the fastest-growing and most resilient business models globally.

• Forge Unexpected Connections: Network with professionals from diverse industries—from tech and finance to agriculture and creative arts—all united by a shared interest in collaboration and sustainable growth.

• Be Inspired: Hear inspiring stories from co-op leaders and members who are driving innovation and creating positive change in their communities.

• Expand Your Network: Connect with potential partners, collaborators, and mentors who can help you take your career to the next level.

Enjoy drinks and canapés in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. Come with an open mind and a stack of business cards and leave with new ideas and valuable connections. This event is open to all professionals interested in the future of business and community.

Let's raise a glass to the power of cooperation!

Comic Book & Graphic Novel Workshops for Teens

Is your teen interested in comics and graphic novels?

As part of our Comic Book & Graphic Novel camp, we’re running a series of weeklong workshops where teens aged 14-17 can learn about the art of creating comics, including the principles of story structure, page composition, drawing, pacing, and other essential creative techniques. Attendees will learn about the power of co-operatives, and at the end of the week, collaborate to publish a comics anthology featuring all of their artwork.

WATCH: Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives Member Spotlight Video

As part of our work promoting and highlighting co-operatives in Saskatchewan, we're launching a video series that will spotlight our members. These videos will be launched throughout the year, premiering in the Co-op Connect, and then will be available on our website and social media channels. We are very excited about this new initiative and invite you to watch our first video, spotlighting the incredible work of The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. 

If you're interested in having your co-operative showcased in this video series, please reach out to us at sca@sask.coop. 

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Co-operative Youth Education Programs Alumni Survey

Calling all camp alumni! The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, and co-op camp programs across Canada, are conducting a short survey to learn about your experiences as a participant and/or counsellor at a co-op camp and how much you currently engage with co-operatives.

Whether you participated 1 year ago or 20 years ago, the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives wants to hear from you! The extended deadline to participate is June 30, 2025. This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board.

For more information about this study, please contact:

Stan Yu
Research and Communications Coordinator
The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
Stan.yu@usask.ca 

Help send deserving youth to co-operative camps!

Welcome to the #CoopCampChallenge! May 8th marks the launch of a collaborative national campaign to fundraise for youth to attend co-operative summer camps across the country.

Co-operative camps build the leaders of tomorrow by instilling co-operative awareness and principles into all aspects of camp. They are a place where kids and teens can meet people with diverse experiences, build friendships based on shared values and connect deeper with themselves, their peers, and the natural environment. Through every camp experience, youth develop community and awareness-building skills, build character, and foster important life skills.

Join us as we fundraise to send deserving kids to camp! You can find out more about the #CoopCampChallenge and donate at coopcampchallenge.ca.

Support the Co-op Camp Challenge – where every path leads to adventure!

Register for the 2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Co-operative Day Camp!

The most innovative and unique day camp in the province is back! Over the course of a week, camp attendees will learn about the power of co-operatives through the art of creating comics and graphic novels. Led by local artists, illustrators, and writers, comic book campers will attend workshops that will teach them about story structure, page composition, pacing, materials, and creative techniques. At the end of the camp, campers will work together to create and publish a comics anthology.

We’ll be running three one-week camps for different age groups: July 2-5 (ages 12–13), July 8–12 (ages 14–15), and July 15–19 (ages 16–17). Camp attendance costs $350, which covers art supplies, snacks, and a printed copy of the comics they create. Each day will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and extended hours pick-up and drop-off are available for an additional $40. All our camps filled up quickly last year so we highly recommend registering early to secure a spot.

Register for the 2025 Canadian Co-operative Governance Survey Webinar!

Join the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) and the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association on May 14, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM CST, to learn about a free tool that can help your co-operative understand and benchmark your governance practices with that of your peers.

The CCSC recently launched the 2025 Canadian Co-operative Governance Survey and currently recruiting participants. This national survey gathers data on governance practices in Canadian co-operatives, including board composition and procedures, compensation, training practices, diversity, etc. By participating in this survey, co-operatives will gain access to the Co-operative Governance Online Dashboard at no cost. This tool allows co-operatives to benchmark their governance practices against that of their peers.

This webinar will provide a short introduction to the survey, and the Dashboard tool and its functions, followed by an interactive session to answer any and all questions that participants might have.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the survey with a member of our team, please contact Josie Ward, Research Assistant, Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives.

Email: josie.ward@usask.ca

Phone: 306-966-8506

Subscribe to the Co-op Connect!

As part of our mission to build a stronger and more robust co-operative sector in Saskatchewan, we're launching a new email newsletter: Co-op Connect. Every month, this newsletter will feature the latest from the SCA, Saskatchewan co-operative sector news and events, featured SCA member profiles, and much more. We're excited about the possibilities of this newsletter as well as its ability to connect an audience of over 900 recipients to what's happening in the co-operative sector. 

With that said, in order for this new initiative to be a success, we'll need your help! If you are an SCA member or plugged into a Saskatchewan co-operative, we ask that you send us news, updates, and info on upcoming events so we can put them in this newsletter. You can submit everything to sca@sask.coop.

We thank you all in advance for your participation in Co-op Connect. We can't wait to see where this newsletter goes and the connections it makes within the co-operative community. 

Co-operative Youth Education Programs Alumni Survey

Calling all camp alumni! The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, and co-op camp programs across Canada, are conducting a short survey to learn about your experiences as a participant and/or counsellor at a co-op camp and how much you currently engage with co-operatives.

Whether you participated 1 year ago or 20 years ago, the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives wants to hear from you! The deadline to participate is April 1, 2025. This study has been approved by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board.

For more information about this study, please contact:

Stan Yu
Research and Communications Coordinator
The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
Stan.yu@usask.ca 

See the 2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Camp Anthology!

The 2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Co-operative Day Camp comic anthology has arrived! This anthology was created by the attendees of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association’s Comic Book & Graphic Novel Co-operative Day Camp.

Led by local artists, illustrators, and writers over three weeks in July, our comic book campers learned about story structure, page composition, pacing, materials, and creative techniques. Inspired by the co-operative spirit, each camper created their own unique comic, all of which have been assembled here. 

2024 CCSC Top Co-op Issues Survey

The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) is looking for your opinion on what you think is the most important challenge(s) facing the Canadian Co-operative Sector today. Please share your perspectives by taking this 5-minute survey via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/2024TopCoopIssues. The survey ends on December 31, 2024.

Please note that the survey is available in English and French. You can change the language of the survey using the language button at the top righthand corner.

For the last eight years, the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (a research centre sponsored by Canadian co-operatives and the University of Saskatchewan) has asked members of the co-operative sector across Canada, “What are the top issues facing co-operatives in Canada today?” Results from last year’s survey can be found here.

Turning the Tide Bookstore Co-op Week Feature Picks

It’s Co-op Week, and we’ve partnered with Turning the Tide Bookstore on a Co-op Week Feature Picks list of books about the co-operative movement. Topics include Co-operatives and Housing, Worker Co-operatives and Economic Democracy, Global Co-operatives and Fair Trade, and Co-operatives and Community Economic Development. 

A 20% discount will be applied to almost all of these books by using coupon code COOP2024 when checking out on the Turning the Tide online store.

Read the Prairie Dog & Planet S Co-op Week Special Feature!

October 13–19 is Co-op Week, and we’re celebrating the power of co-operatives in Saskatchewan and around the world! We’ve partnered with Prairie Dog and Planet S on this digital exclusive to illuminate what co-operatives are, who they serve, and why they are such a critical part of our economy and society. Join us in exploring the potential of co-operatives and see the possibilities of how the co-operative model could be the solution to some of society’s most complex social and economic challenges.

The co-operative movement is deeply woven into the fabric of this province and has shaped the success of Saskatchewan. We are proud and honoured of the co-operative traditions in Saskatchewan and the co-operatives, both big and small, that promote and live the values of democratic control, member participation, and concern for the communities that they serve. We hope that, through this feature, you will not only come away with a stronger understanding of the co-operative movement but also share our passion and excitement for co-ops and how they can help us build a better world.

Read our 2023-24 Annual Report

Our 2023-24 Annual Report is now available to read online!

This report features messages from the Board Chair and Executive Director, reports on programming, and audited financials. We encourage anyone interested in the activities of our organization to read this report.