As 2025 comes to a close, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) celebrates significant policy achievements and stronger relationships with government and sector partners. Together, we advanced federal priorities, showcased sector leadership, and laid the groundwork for continued progress in 2026.
Major Policy Wins for Co-operatives and Mutuals
TDCS Program Extended to 2030
A standout achievement was the five-year renewal of the Tax-deferred Co-operative Share (TDCS) Program in Budget 2025. This extension provides stability for agricultural co-operatives, enabling continued investment in modernization and growth. Permanency remains the sector’s ultimate goal.
Boost for Worker Co-op Succession
Budget 2025 confirmed the capital gains tax exemption on sales to worker co-operatives through December 2026—a key step in succession planning and local economic continuity. CMC will continue working with CWCF to advocate for permanency.
Advancing Co-operative and Indigenous Housing Solutions
Recognition of co-operative housing in the Build Canada Homes Plan and investments in Indigenous housing highlight co-ops as pillars of affordability and community stability. Renewed federal investment will be essential to meet growing demand.
Elevated Visibility Through Strategic Engagements
Parliamentary Breakfast Reception
Co-hosted by Senators Lucie Moncion and Mary Coyle, this event brought together MPs, Senators, officials, and sector stakeholders to spotlight the co-operative advantage in addressing affordability and resilience.
Global Leadership Through CM50
Canadian co-operatives played a key role in CM50—a global leadership network convened by the International Cooperative Alliance. Through coordinated advocacy, Canada helped secure recognition in the UN Political Declaration and raised the sector’s profile at the World Social Summit in Doha. A co-branded ad in The Hill Times ahead of Co-op Week celebrated the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC 2025).
Continuous Federal Engagement
Throughout 2025, CMC engaged with ministers, MPs, and officials across key portfolios, reinforcing co-operatives as practical partners in delivering federal priorities.
What We Learned in 2025
2025 offered several important insights that will continue to shape CMC’s government relations approach:
- Clear, targeted asks are more effective than broad narratives
Budget 2025 demonstrated that when the sector unites behind concrete, well-defined proposals—like TDCS and worker co-op succession—government is more likely to respond. Precision and unity make it easier for officials to champion and advance policy ideas.
- Storytelling and real-world examples coupled with facts resonate most
Concise community impact stories, backed by strong data points, consistently captured officials’ attention and helped move conversations forward. This combination made policy proposals tangible, relatable, and easier for decision-makers to act on.
- Early engagement builds credibility
Proactive outreach well before key decision points positioned CMC as a constructive, solutions-focused partner rather than a reactive stakeholder. This approach strengthened relationships and ensured co-operative perspectives were considered early in policy development.
- A unified sector voice amplifies influence
CMC’s launch of the GR Peer Group in 2025—and ongoing cross-sector collaboration—demonstrated the power of coordinated advocacy. Shared priorities, consistent messaging, and collective learning not only strengthened alignment across the sector but also enhanced the credibility of our federal engagement.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With strong momentum in 2025, CMC is entering 2026 ready to deepen federal engagement on capital access, fair tax treatment, succession pathways, co-operative housing and emerging opportunities in renewable energy and other priority sectors
As political and economic dynamics evolve, CMC will continue positioning co-operatives as innovative, community-rooted solutions to Canada’s most pressing challenges.
Thank you to our members, partners, and champions across government for your collaboration, insight, and leadership throughout 2025. Your engagement strengthens the co-operative voice and helps build a more inclusive, resilient Canadian economy. We look forward to continuing this important work together in 2026.