{"id":250478,"date":"2026-09-15T19:21:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T23:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canada.coop\/?p=250478"},"modified":"2026-09-15T19:47:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T23:47:43","slug":"canada-elected-to-the-board-of-directors-of-the-international-co-operative-alliance-ica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canada.coop\/en\/canada-elected-to-the-board-of-directors-of-the-international-co-operative-alliance-ica\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada Elected to the Board of Directors of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

L\u00e9vis, September 15, 2026 | Canada has secured a seat on the Board of Directors of the world\u2019s largest co-operative and mutual organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marie-Jos\u00e9e Paquette, representing Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the International Cooperative Alliance<\/a> (ICA), ranking among the top candidates selected to fill the 15 positions contested in the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1895, the ICA represents the interests of more than one billion co-operative and mutual members around the world. Its governance structure includes 15 directors elected by their peers, as well as the President, Vice-Presidents, representatives of global sectoral organizations, youth representatives, and representatives from the Gender Equality Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s geopolitical and socioeconomic environment, enterprises that are rooted in their communities and developed by and for local people play an essential role in strengthening economic self-reliance. By coordinating this strength at the global level, we can build stronger and more stable economies while contributing to a more humane, equitable, and united future. For Canada, this provides an additional opportunity to expand international partnerships and accelerate the diversification of our markets,\u201d said Marie-Jos\u00e9e Paquette, newly elected board member an Chief Executive Officer of the Conseil qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois de la coop\u00e9ration et de la mutualit\u00e9<\/a> (CQCM), as well as Director of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada has long demonstrated leadership within the global co-operative and mutual movement. This representation is both recognition of Canadian leadership and expertise and a practical opportunity to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n