Exploring Co-operative Initiatives in Quebec
Traveling to the Sollio Cooperative Group AGM provided a valuable opportunity to engage with co-operative leaders and initiatives, strengthening awareness and relationships within the sector.
The first stop was a meeting with Mariam Coulibaly, Executive Director of Startop, a social enterprise incubator for women based in Montreal’s Cité-des-Hospitalières. This former monastery, acquired by the city in 2017, now serves as a hub for civil society organizations. Discussions covered the CMC map, the role of expert-service providers, and international co-op development. Additionally, Dan Brunette discovered that Mariam also serves as president of the Coopérative d’habitation d’union mutuelle, one of Canada’s smallest housing co-ops, established in 1985. Its members take pride in their affiliation with the Fédération de l’habitation coopérative du Québec (FHCQ) and their innovative housing solutions.
Next was a discussion with François Allaire, Director of Strategic Development at Le Consortium de coopération des entreprises collectives, a CMC member. This non-profit co-operative acts as a shared services center for co-operatives, mutuals, and non-profits, offering expertise in accounting, legal, HR, project management, strategic development, and training. With nearly 80 professionals spanning over 20 fields, the Consortium plays a vital role in strengthening the movement.
In line with CMC’s federal advocacy priorities, Dan met with Gabrielle Fallu, Head of Public and Government Relations at Exceldor Cooperative. Exceldor, a staunch advocate for the Tax-deferred Co-operative Share Program for agricultural co-operatives, has 365 member-owners and a legacy dating back to 1945. It expanded westward in 2019 through a merger with Manitoba-based Granny’s Poultry Co-operative. Today, Exceldor markets products under the Exceldor, Granny’s, Butterball, and Saha Halal brands. A leader in corporate social responsibility, it donates 12,000 kilograms (120,000 portions) of poultry monthly to the Quebec Food Bank Network.
While in Lévis, Dan also met Isabelle Gagné, Director of Communications and Associative Life at the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité (CQCM). Established in 1940, CQCM has been instrumental in positioning Quebec as Canada’s leading co-operative environment. In 2021, Isabelle spearheaded the ongoing “Effet COOP | Mutualist Effect” promotional campaign.
Taking the scenic route home, Dan visited Co-op Agri-Energie Warwick, Quebec’s first agricultural co-operative dedicated to renewable energy. Developed and operated by Coop Carbone, it produces 2.3 million m³ of renewable natural gas (RNG) from dairy cattle manure and organic waste, generating additional revenue for 12 farm members while reducing CO2 emissions by 6,500 tonnes annually.
A stop in Richmond, Quebec, led to L’Ardoise, Coopérative Brassicole, a microbrewery and bistro founded in 2021 by three friends. Named after the area’s slate-quarrying history, L’Ardoise serves the town’s 3,200 residents and surrounding communities. It is one of 23 microbrewery co-operatives in Canada. Pictured are proud founding members Eric Cardinal and François Forcier.
Finally, in the village of Racine, Dan visited La Brunante, Coopérative de solidarité en habitation, CMC’s 2022 Small Co-operative of the Year. Founding President Gaston Michaud provided a tour and shared its history as Canada’s first multi-stakeholder housing co-op. A member of the Confédération québécoise des coopératives d’habitation (CQCH), La Brunante was created as a community-driven solution to provide local seniors with housing that enables them to remain in the village they call home.