In June 2025, over 100 participants from across Canada and beyond gathered in Regina, Saskatchewan for the Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) Congress. Held during the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives, this year’s Congress—titled The Future is Co-op—was more than a conference. It was a heartfelt, energizing call to action.
Over powerful and meaningful days, co-operators met to exchange bold ideas, face hard truths, and celebrate what makes this movement not only resilient, but necessary. From provocative panels to joyful reunions, Congress became a reflection of the moment we’re in: urgent, interconnected, and rich with possibility.
The CMC Congress 2025 was proudly sponsored by Co-operators, whose support helped make the event possible.
Grounded in Place: Opening Reflections on Unity, Sustainability, and Action
The Congress opened on June 10 with an Indigenous welcome by Buffalo Child and Robert Moreau, grounding the gathering in ceremony and respect for Treaty 4 territory. This intentional beginning reminded attendees of our responsibility to listen, learn, and act in support of truth and reconciliation—not as an add-on, but as central to our work.
That tone carried through the first keynote as Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Co-operative Alliance, celebrated the International Year of Co-operatives with a global lens—reminding us that our movement is part of something far-reaching and powerful.
Later that afternoon, David Coletto of Abacus Data shared fresh public opinion research on economic precarity in Canada, highlighting a unique opportunity for co-ops to lead in restoring trust, equity, and community control. The day closed with compelling dual sessions on collective entrepreneurship and reimagining co-operation in a distracted age, with leaders like Amina Dibe, Nathalie Villemure, and Jeffrey Boutilier sharing sharp, on-the-ground insights.
Deep Dives and New Directions: Resilience, Responsibility, and Renewal
In “The Fall of Titans”, a panel of academics and sector leaders including Marc-André Pigeon and Dionne Pohler examined lessons from notable co-operative failures and demutualizations. The message: transparency, strong governance, and continued reinvention are essential to long-term resilience.
One of the most moving moments came mid-morning when Cadmus Delorme, former Chief of Cowessess First Nation, delivered a stirring talk on intergenerational responsibility, urging co-operatives to take up their role in the work of Truth and Reconciliation with courage and humility.
The afternoon turned toward future thinking. A collaborative workshop on “Diverse Perspectives, One Movement” brought together voices like John Kay, Karen Miner, and Jeroen Douglas, sparking rich dialogue about inclusion as not just a goal, but a method. Concurrent sessions on data ownership and internal governance pitfalls gave participants tangible takeaways.
Food, Youth, and the Future: The Co-op Sector in Motion
By late Wednesday afternoon, the Congress reached a crescendo. The session “Cultivating the Future: Innovation, Sustainability & Security in our Food Systems” brought together food and agri-co-op leaders, including Jim Bettcher, Alison Davie, and Bluesette Campbell, who shared grounded stories of resilience through co-operative food systems.
At the same time, a vibrant youth panel featuring Laetitia Ramanantsoa, William Prest, Caeli Martineau, and Mansib Rahman lit up the ballroom with honesty and vision. They didn’t just ask for a seat at the table—they invited everyone to build new tables together.
The energy carried into the evening with a joyful Awards Gala, honouring outstanding contributions from across the co-operative movement. These included long-time community leaders and rising youth changemakers, reminding us that leadership comes in many forms—but always rooted in the same principles of equity, solidarity, and democratic control.
Closing Reflections and a Call Forward
As participants departed—with business cards, new ideas, and maybe a few less hours of sleep than they arrived with—the feeling was clear: this wasn’t the end of something—it was a beginning. The 2025 CMC Congress in Regina reminded us that co-operatives aren’t waiting for permission. They’re building new systems now—with communities at the centre.
Relive the highlights of the Congress by exploring our official photo gallery — a chance to revisit the faces, conversations, and energy that made this gathering so memorable.
The future is co-op. And the work continues.
The momentum of the co-operative movement continues well beyond the Congress. CMC is excited to carry this energy forward into Co-op Week 2025 and encourages everyone to take part in celebrating and promoting co-operative values across the country. Whether you’re planning a local event, workshop, or celebration, we invite you to be part of this nationwide effort. Share your co-op’s activities and help build visibility by posting your event here.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our sponsors for their generous support of the CMC Congress 2025. Thanks to your commitment, trust, and valuable contributions, this event can shine and offer a rewarding experience to all participants. Thank you for being an essential part of our success!
