Youth in Co-operation

Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) highly encourages the participation of youth within the co-operative community through Canada’s Emerging Co-operators (CEC). This committee rallies young co-operators, between the ages of 18-35, and advises the Board of directors of CMC on the point of view of the young Canadian co-operative leaders.

CEC’s goal is to:

Understand the needs of new co-operator leaders and how to fulfill them;
Shape the future of leadership within the co-operative and mutual sector in Canada, and;
Create a space for young co-operators to highlight, increase and celebrate their involvement in the co-operative sector.

Become a member of Canada's Emerging Co-operators

Lana is a board member of Canada's largest student housing co-operative. They has extensive knowledge of governance and finance.

Lana Wong

Member
Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc.

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Kristen Murray (she) is a community leader and social entrepreneur from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). She is the 2022 recipient of the Lemaire Co-operative Studies Award from the Canadian Association for the Study of Co-operation, and the 2023 winner of the Co-operators Young Leaders Award.

Kristen Murray

Membre
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of
Co-operatives (NLFC)

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Tyler is working for Econocoop and has always been an active learner in the co-operative sector. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Co-operative and Credit Union Management program at Saint Mary's University and sits on a committee for the Atlantic Federation of Retail Co-operatives.

Tyler Paturel

Member

Econocoop

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Living in Pickering, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, William currently works as a financial analyst and corporate compliance officer at Oshawa Community a Credit Union.

William Prest

Member
Oshawa Community Credit Union

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With a master's degree in geography from the Université de Montréal, Gaëlle Crête's career path has quickly focused on social innovation and sustainable development, in the private, public and social economy sectors. She is currently employed by the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité as a youth co-operative entrepreneurship advisor.

Gaëlle Crête

Member
Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité

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Caeli holds a bachelor's degree in French-to-English translation with a minor in Spanish translation from Concordia University. Over the course of her career, she has played many roles, including translator, assignment manager and customer relations manager at Coop Edgar. She has received numerous awards for her achievements, creativity and innovation, including The Co-operators Young Leaders Award in 2024.

Caeli Martineau

Member

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Chloë has over 10 years of experience in community organizing and co-operative development. She currently works for the Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation (CWCF), holds a Master's degree in Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions from Saint Mary's University, and was the 2022 recipient of The Co-operators Young Leaders Award.

Chloë Williams

Member
Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

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Heather Snyder (she) recently completed the Master of Management program in Co-operatives and Credit Unions at Saint Mary's University. Based in Kitchener, Ontario, she is Manager of the Member Contact Centre at Kindred Credit Union and an active volunteer with CDF Canada's Women's Mentoring Program.

Heather Snyder

Member
Kindred Credit Union

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Laetitia, of Madagascan and French origin, holds a degree in economics and international development from McGill. She works in business development at Radish Cooperative, an ethical delivery alternative. Through her role, she raises the profile of ethical delivery and the social economy in Quebec.

Laetitia Ramanantsoa

Member

Radish Cooperative

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Robert Smith is a software developer and community solutions consultant who harnesses the power of technology for positive social change. Elected to the NLFC Board of Directors in June 2024, he continues to champion technology platforms and co-operatives, striving to shape a more inclusive technology landscape.

Robert Smith

Membre

Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of
Co-operatives (NLFC)

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With an MBA and a background in finance and communications, Sahara actively contributes to key committees, including the Finance and Audit Committee, the Aging at Home Committee, the Governance Committee and the Resolutions Committee. Her goal is to advocate for essential changes in Canada's housing market, steering it towards a dynamic and sustainable future.

Sahara Shaik

Member
CHF Canada

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Jason Rivest holds a bachelor's degree in history, a bachelor's degree in business administration (Innovation, entrepreneurship and business development profile) and an MBA (Diagnosis and organizational intervention concentration) from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.

Jason Rivest

Member

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CEC's White Paper

CEC members have created a white paper outlining the perspectives and challenges facing young cooperatives. The white paper was presented at Congress 2023 in Ottawa.

Read the White Paper

Follow CEC on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with them!

Youth Initiatives Across Canada

Le Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité (CQCM) has set up entrepreneurship initiation coops (CIEC) which brings together up to 15 young people who wish to set up their collective business.

Learn more about the CIEC

The Saskatchewan Co-operative Association encourages cooperation among young people between the ages of 12 and 18 with its Kindling summer camps

Learn more about the Kindling summer camps

Alberta Community and Co-operative Association offers summer camps for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 to train the co-operative leaders of tomorrow.

Learn more about the summer camps of the ACCA