THE
FUTURE
IS
WORKER
-OWNED
As Canada recovers from the economic downturn post-COVID, our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – the backbone of our communities – still face unprecedented challenges. With over 58,000 businesses lost, and thousands more at risk from financial instability, owner fatigue, and the “Silver Tsunami” of retirements, Canadian jobs and local economies hang in the balance.
But there’s a powerful solution: worker cooperative conversions. By transitioning ownership of at-risk SMEs to the employees and communities they serve, we can save thousands of jobs, keep businesses thriving, and strengthen local economies. Worker co-ops are built for resilience, with survival rates 25% higher than traditional businesses, making them the ideal model for long-term stability.
Join the Worker Cooperative Future Coalition today to safeguard Canadian jobs, foster community ownership, and create a future where no business is left behind. Together, we can build an economy that works for all of us.
As the Silver Tsunami of baby boomers retire, thousands of Canadian businesses face closure or uncertain futures. Instead of selling to out-of-town buyers or closing their doors, retiring owners can transition ownership to employees who know and care about the business. This keeps businesses thriving, strengthens local economies, and empowers workers to build stable, democratic workplaces. With worker co-op conversions, we turn a wave of retirements into a wave of economic resilience and community empowerment.
Join the Worker Cooperative Future Coalition, spearheaded by Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation, in seeking $91 million in federal support to scale up co-operative development funding to assist SMEs in converting to worker co-operatives. This investment will save thousands of jobs, help convert hundreds of businesses, and provide a path for employees to ownership to empower communities to self-determine their local economies.
Join the Worker Cooperative Future Coalition!
Stand with us to build a pathway for employee ownership across Canada.
Add your voice to the petition & use the form to email your MP's about investing in worker co-operatives.
Together, we can save local businesses, empower workers, and create a resilient future for our communities. Sign now to support a cooperative recovery that lasts!
Key Figures to Back This Proposal
- $91 million requested from the Federal Government to create and retain nearly 5000 jobs and convert 180 at-risk businesses to co-operatives.
- $70 million investment into CWCF’s Tenacity Works Fund, which has been supporting co-operative development since 2000.
- 900 SMEs will undergo evaluation for co-operative conversion, with approximately 183 businesses completing the conversion within the first five years.
- Income Tax Reform to Help Worker Co-ops Succeed in the Economic Recovery.
- This program builds on Motion M-100, which called for a national co-operative development strategy and passed unanimously in Parliament in 2017.
Cooperatives: The Foundation of a Resilient Canadian Economy
The survival rate of cooperatives stands as a powerful testament to their sustainability and resilience. According to a study by the Quebec Council for Cooperation and Mutuality, cooperatives in Quebec boast a survival rate of 75% after five years and 44% after ten years—significantly higher than those of private businesses, which typically see survival rates closer to 35% after five years and 20% after ten years.
This data highlights why cooperatives are a cornerstone for building a more resilient Canadian economy. Their longevity stems from democratic governance, shared accountability, and a focus on community well-being over profit maximization. These qualities foster stability, adaptability, and local economic impact, especially in challenging times.
Job Security for Canadians
This proposal will save nearly 5,000 jobs by converting at-risk SMEs to worker co-operatives, providing economic stability for local workers and families. Each conversion saves an average of 25-30 jobs, keeping employment secure and reducing unemployment in communities across Canada.
Efficient and Sustainable Investment
For every $20,400 invested, CWCF’s co-operative model creates or retains one job, offering a cost-effective solution for economic recovery. With higher survival rates than traditional businesses, co-operatives provide a long-term, community-focused approach to building a stronger, more equitable economy for all Canadians.
Strengthening Local Economies
By preserving 180 small businesses, CWCF’s initiative ensures local ownership and sustained services in communities facing business closures. Worker co-operatives offer a resilient model that thrives in uncertain times, empowering communities to control their economic future and keep wealth local.
We are proud to stand with a diverse coalition of organizations that share our vision of a resilient, cooperative economy. Together, we are calling on the Government of Canada to invest in this transformative initiative.
The Worker Cooperative Future Campaign was initated by the Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation, with support from a growing network:
