Following the outcome of the April 28 federal election, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and offers reflections on the challenges facing our country—alongside the co-operative sector’s role in meeting them. This open letter outlines our priorities and extends an invitation to collaborate on building a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable Canada as the new government begins its mandate.
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
On behalf of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), I extend our congratulations on the Liberal Party’s success in the April 28, 2025 federal election and on your appointment as Prime Minister.
Canada faces a range of urgent and interconnected challenges: rising affordability and housing pressures, the accelerating impacts of climate change, deepening political polarization, and the need to reshape our economy amid global shifts. In this context, co-operative enterprises offer proven, community-rooted solutions—built on 150 years of strengthening local economies, empowering people, and building resilience.
Co-operatives are a vital part of Canada’s social and economic fabric, with over ten million Canadians participating in co-ops, credit unions, caisses, and mutuals. A strong majority of Canadians (57%) also share the same core values as co-operatives and mutuals: democratic participation, self-help, and community.
Simply put, co-operatives are an economic powerhouse that enhance community wellbeing. They:
- Contribute $52.8 billion annually to Canada’s GDP, including $10 billion in taxes for all levels of government.
- Employ over 194,400 Canadians, largely in Main Street businesses, paying $11.5 billion in salaries.
- Offer a solution to preserve local businesses, as 76% of small-business owners plan to exit within the next decade.
- Play a vital role in financial services—especially in underserved communities—through over 400 credit unions, caisses, and more than 60 insurance mutuals and co-ops, collectively generating over $50 billion in revenue and managing $700 billion in assets.
- Provide affordable homes for more than 250,000 people, fostering strong, stable communities.
- Serve rural and remote areas, with a third of co-ops headquartered in these regions.
- Include both non-profit (58%) and for-profit (42%) organizations united by a mission to meet shared economic, social, or cultural needs.
- Demonstrate exceptional resilience, with for-profit non-financial co-ops having survival rates twice as high as other SMEs—72% have operated for over 20 years.
- Lead in innovation, often adopting advanced technologies and outperforming other SMEs in creativity and adaptability.
The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC2025), under the theme “Co-operatives Build a Better World.” This is a moment to spotlight the vital role co-ops play in advancing sustainable development and addressing global challenges. Canada is already seen as a global leader in this space—a leadership role we can build upon, especially through the work of Canadian co-operative leaders involved in initiatives like the Co-operatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50).
At a time marked by disruption and uncertainty, co-operatives offer people greater control over their lives, strengthen economic sovereignty, and meet essential needs—in housing, food, health care, energy, and finance.
Just as the UK committed in 2024 to doubling the size of its co-operative sector, we urge your government to foster an environment where Canadian co-operatives can grow and thrive. This includes ensuring equitable access to federal business development programs, financing, and the specialized expertise needed to scale solutions across Canada.
We also call on your government to implement the recommendations from consultations following Motion-100: Role of Co-operatives, which received unanimous support in the House of Commons on April 5, 2017.
Further, we urge your government to safeguard Canadian interests in global trade by prioritizing procurement policies that support domestic enterprises—including co-operative businesses.
In a time of global instability, investing in co-operatives means investing in economic security, democratic participation, and community wealth that benefits all Canadians.
As your government takes office, CMC would welcome the opportunity to brief you and your team on how co-operatives can contribute meaningfully to your priorities and Canada’s future.
Congratulations again on your election and appointment. We wish you every success and look forward to working together.
Sincerely,
Michael Toye
Executive Director
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
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