Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC), is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 annual scholarships. Each year, CMC supports and recognizes individuals studying in the co-operative and mutual sector to acknowledge their interest in and contributions to the field. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship ($3 000)
The Ontario Credit Union Foundation established the Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship in recognition of the outstanding contributions these two leaders made to the development of the credit union movement and the Ontario Credit Union Foundation. Tim, a retired scientist from the National Research Council, and Amy, a retired school principal, were deeply committed to co-operatives, education, and research. Both served as local board members for several organizations. Amy was the first woman elected to the board of the Credit Union Central of Ontario, where she served for 22 years. The scholarship, valued at $3,000, is awarded to graduate-level students.
Recipient : Manichan Sheppard-Luangkhot, Graduate Diploma, Co-operative and Credit Union Management, Saint Mary’s University
Manichan’s research focuses on co-operative and community economic development, and the integration of Indigenous governance frameworks within co-operative and financial institutions, notably how they can enhance financial access and leadership at Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU).
Alexander Fraser Laidlaw Fellowship ($1 000)
The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada established the Laidlaw Fellowship in honour of Dr. Alexander Fraser Laidlaw, the father of the non-profit co-operative housing movement in Canada. A distinguished Canadian adult educator and co-operative leader, Dr. Laidlaw served the co-operative movement for over 40 years. Author of Cooperatives in the Year 2000, Dr. Laidlaw championed the social purpose of the co-operative movement while advocating sound business practices for co-operative organizations. The Laidlaw Fellowship, valued at $1,000, is available to graduate students only. The award is based on the applicant’s academic record, as well as on the importance of the proposed research activities to the development of the co-op movement in Canada or abroad.
Recipient : Susanna Redekop Ph.D. Student, University of Guelph, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development.
Susanna’s research explores the intersections of regenerative food systems and the co-operative model, particularly analyzing the liminal space between diverse, culturally rooted practices of co-operation and connecting urban and rural food systems to support healthier communities in Ontario.
Lemaire Award for Co-operative Studies ($1 000)
Louis Lemaire, a co-operative pioneer, dedicated much of his life to organizing co-operatives in Saskatchewan and bequeathed part of his estate to the Co-operative College of Canada (now Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada) to support co-operative studies. Available to undergraduate and graduate students, the Lemaire Awards aim to encourage students to pursue studies and research that will help them contribute to the development of co-operatives or to support students who have been involved in co-operatives, preferably in leadership roles as volunteers or employees. The Fund for this award is managed by the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada.
Recipient : Jason Rivest – Ph.D. candidate in Administration – Management, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship (HEC Montréal)
Jason’s research is titled “The impact and role of co-operative meta-organizations in the dissemination and application of circular economy practices”.
The recipients are carefully selected by the members of the scholarship committee. The committee reviews applications submitted by the various candidates and was composed of:
- Dr. Mümtaz Derya Tarhan (University of Guelph)
- Dr. Daphne Rixon (Saint Mary’s University)
- Ben André (Co-operative Development Foundation)
- Sabrina de Losada Casab (CASC Director)
The applications for the 2027 scholarships are open and you can find all the information related to the application process here.