Government relations

Want to learn about our government relations work?

Explore budget analyses, policy recommendations, advocacy tools, and other resources that showcase Canada Co-op’s efforts to advance public policies that help co-operatives and mutuals start, grow, and thrive.

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Co-operatives, credit unions, caisses, and mutuals contribute $61.1 B to Canada’s GDP and support nearly 746,000 jobs. They provide essential services to millions of Canadians and help strengthen communities in every province and territory. Yet the sector is not always fully reflected in public policy, economic programs, and government initiatives. 

Canada Co-op represents the interests of co-operatives and mutuals with the federal government. We monitor legislation, policies, programs, and regulatory developments, and we work with policymakers to make sure they understand the sector’s impact and consider co-operatives when shaping policy. Our goal is an environment where co-operatives can start, grow, and thrive. 

We also help improve access to programs, funding opportunities, and economic development initiatives available to Canadian businesses and organizations in the social economy. 

Our priorities

Canada Co-op works with government and sector partners to advance policies and programs that strengthen Canada’s co-operative sector. Current priorities include: 

  • Creating a Co-operative Investment Fund 
  • Expanding access to the Small Business Deduction (SBD) 
  • Ensuring effective implementation of capital gains tax relief 
  • Supporting the permanent adoption of the Tax-Deferred Co-operative Share (TDCS) Program 
  • Strengthening co-operative housing 
  • Advancing social procurement and Buy Canadian strategies 
  • Building a national co-op data infrastructure 

We also monitor the limitations of Section 136(2)(d) of the Income Tax Act and other policy issues affecting the sector. 

Other contacts 

In keeping with longstanding agreements across the sector, Canada Co-op supports, but does not lead, government relations efforts related to insurance, financial services, and housing. Relevant sector contacts can be found below: 

  • Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada): Courtney Lockhart, Associate Director, Public Affairs and Policy (CLockhart@chfcanada.coop)  
  • Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (CAMIC): Sangita Kamblé, President & CEO (skamble@camic.ca)  

    Need support?

    Experiencing challenges accessing a federal program or funding opportunity? Looking for information or have suggestions to share?

    Contact Gabriel Mezzari, Interim Manager, External Affairs, at gmezzari@canada.coop

    If a co-operative has been excluded from a federal program because of its incorporated status, we may request permission to share details with government officials to help identify solutions and improve future access.