Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 CMC Awards. Each year, these awards recognize individuals and organizations in Canada’s co-operative and mutual sector who stand out for their outstanding contributions. Once again, this year’s awards highlight the sector’s evolution, particularly its commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion priorities, as well as environmental issues. The recipients were announced at the CMC Congress Gala, held on June 9, 2026, at York University in Toronto, Ontario.
Award recipients are carefully selected by members of CMC’s Awards and Nominations Committee. The Committee reviews all nominations submitted by CMC’s member co-operatives and mutuals. The Committee is composed of Chair Dave Walsh, Reba Plummer, Randy Dagasdas, Tyler Paturel and John Kay.
Here are the 2026 winners:
CO-OPERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Hazel Corcoran
The CMC Co-operator of the Year Award honours individuals who have contributed outstanding efforts to the cause and the development of co‐operative and/or mutual enterprises. This award provides recognition to an individual who has contributed in especially significant ways to promoting, developing, or uniting co‑operatives and/or mutuals in Canada and/or internationally.
A heartfelt thank you to Agropur for sponsoring this award at the 2026 CMC Congress and for its ongoing commitment to the development of the co-operative movement.
Hazel Corcoran is the recipient of the Co-operator of the Year Award presented by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, in recognition of her long-standing commitment and outstanding leadership within the co-operative sector.
Executive Director of the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF), Hazel Corcoran has spent more than 35 years supporting the development of worker co-operatives through advisory services, research, financing, advocacy and legal work. Trained as a lawyer, she quickly oriented her career toward the co-operative movement, where she has held key roles, including with the Conseil canadien de la coopération and the CoopZone Network, contributing to strengthening sector capacity at the national level.
Her influence extends beyond her organization. She was a founding director of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and served multiple terms on the Board of Co-operators. Internationally, she has been actively engaged for over a decade with CICOPA, where she now sits on the Board of Directors.
She has also distinguished herself through her commitment to justice and equity, notably through the work of the CWCF’s JEDDI Committee. Her contributions have been recognized through several awards, including the CCCM Co-operative Merit Award and the William J. Nelson Award.
At the intersection of law, co-operative development and sector leadership, her career reflects a sustained commitment to strengthening and advancing the co-operative model.
YOUNG CO-OPERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Mᵉ Roseline Roy
The CMC Young Co-operator of the Year Award honours individuals of 35 years of age or less who have contributed outstanding efforts to the cause and the development of co‐operative and/or mutual enterprises.
A heartfelt thank you to Sollio Cooperative Group for sponsoring this award at the 2026 CMC Congress and for its ongoing commitment to the development of the co-operative movement.
Mᵉ Roseline Roy is the recipient of the 2026 Co-operator of the Year Award presented by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, in recognition of her expertise in governance and her sustained commitment to the development of the co-operative sector.
A lawyer specializing in governance, ethics, and co-operative and corporate law, Mᵉ Roy has been working for over five years within the Office of the Corporate Secretary and Legal Affairs at Sollio Cooperative Group, the largest agri-food co-operative in Canada with Quebec roots. In this role, she serves as corporate secretary for several companies, subsidiaries, and governing bodies, contributing to rigorous governance practices aligned with co-operative values.
Her influence extends beyond her organization. Mᵉ Roy has served as an expert advisor to the Société de coopération pour le développement international (SOCODEVI) on international mandates, applying her expertise to strengthen co-operative capacity globally. Her volunteer commitment has also been recognized, notably through the Barreau de Montréal’s Ongoing Commitment Award, presented for her sustained involvement since 2019.
At the intersection of law, governance, and co-operative development, her career reflects leadership grounded in rigour, ethics, and innovation. Through her work, Mᵉ Roy actively contributes to advancing practices and supporting the vitality of the co‑operative model in Canada and internationally.
SMALL CO-OPERATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Pierre Dorval, Caisse Alliance
The Small Co-operative of the Year Award honours Canadian co‐operative and/or mutual organizations that have made significant contributions to co‐operatives and/or mutuals in Canada and/or internationally.
Pierre Dorval is President and Chief Executive Officer of Caisse Alliance, the fifth largest credit union in Ontario, primarily serving Northern Ontario.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the private and co-operative sectors, he actively contributes to the growth and development of the sector, notably through major initiatives that have strengthened his organization’s presence in its communities.
Caisse Alliance, which he leads, plays a central role in regional economic development. With more than 350 employees across 26 service centres in 24 communities in Northern Ontario, it serves over 50,000 members. It is distinguished by a mission focused on the success of its members and communities, grounded in co-operative values and supported by the quality of its offerings and excellence in service. Its approach is human, accessible, and connected.
On a daily basis, the Caisse Alliance team supports members, helps advance their projects, and contributes to building a dynamic co-operative economy rooted in local realities.
LARGE CO-OPERATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD : United Farmers of Alberta
The Large Co-operative of the Year Award honours Canadian co‐operative and/or mutual organizations that have made significant contributions to co‐operatives and/or mutuals in Canada and/or internationally.
A heartfelt thank you to CSS Pension Plan for sponsoring this award at the 2026 CMC Congress and for its ongoing commitment to the development of the co-operative movement.
United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative Limited (UFA) is a member-owned agricultural co-operative dedicated to supporting producers, businesses, and rural communities across Western Canada. Through its integrated operations in farm supply, petroleum, and crop inputs, UFA delivers practical solutions that help its members succeed. Guided by a commitment to long-term value, UFA reinvests in its network, returns earnings to members, and plays an active role in strengthening the broader agricultural sector. Rooted in co-operative values and a deep connection to agriculture, UFA is committed to building a resilient and sustainable future for Canadian producers and the communities they support.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Thun, UFA continues to build on its strong agricultural heritage while evolving to meet the needs of the next generation of producers and rural communities.
JEDI (JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION) INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative
CMC’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Initiative of the Year Award honours Canadian co-operative and/or mutual organizations that have made a significant contribution to integrating notions of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into their practices, their organization and their community.
A heartfelt thank you to the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) for sponsoring this award at the 2026 CMC Congress and for its ongoing commitment to the development of the co-operative movement.
The Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative (MCHB Co‑op) is a community-based co‑operative founded in 1998 in Edmonton by a group of immigrant women committed to supporting newcomer families. Grounded in a “cultural brokering” approach, the organization acts as a bridge between people from diverse cultural backgrounds and Canadian systems, helping foster greater understanding, inclusion, and equitable access to services.
Over the years, MCHB Co‑op has grown into an organization of more than 100 staff, offering a wide range of programs and initiatives focused on health, well-being, and the social determinants of health, from birth through adulthood.
By promoting inclusive practices tailored to diverse cultural and linguistic realities, the co‑operative strengthens the capacities of both communities and institutions, while creating meaningful opportunities for engagement among historically marginalized groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Gay Lea Foods Ltd.
The CMC Environmental Initiative of the Year Award honours Canadian co-operative and/or mutual organizations that have made a significant contribution, through a project or the implementation of new practices, to reducing their environmental footprint.
A heartfelt thank you to Realize Solutions for sponsoring this award at the 2026 CMC Congress and for its ongoing commitment to the development of the co-operative movement.
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd is one of Canada’s leading dairy co-operatives, recognized for its strong commitment to sustainability, community investment, and farmer-led innovation. As a proudly Canadian, farmer-owned co-operative, Gay Lea Foods is advancing environmental performance across its operations and member farms through initiatives focused on emissions reduction, operational efficiency, and long-term resilience. Under the leadership of Mike Langdon and Lauren Beerman, the organization has embedded sustainability into its core business strategy, delivering measurable impact through carbon reduction projects, on-farm sustainability programs, and the publication of its first ESG report. Guided by co-operative values, Gay Lea Foods continues to invest in people, communities, and responsible growth while helping build a more sustainable future for Canadian agriculture.