Canadian Co-op Assn. Credit Union Central

Location

We are the co-operatives and credit unions of Canada, valued for fostering social and economic empowerment, and recognized for our unique response to community needs.

We are a not-for-profit co-operative owned by our members. Our members come from many sectors of the economy, including finance, insurance, agri-food and supply, wholesale and retail, housing, health, and the service sector. The majority are "second tier" co-operatives (those that are organized at the regional or provincial level such as credit union centrals or federations, which provide services to "first tier" co-ops such as local credit unions or retail outlets). We also have primary or first tier members, as well as "third tier" members representing co-ops from specific sectors of the economy.

CCA provides leadership to promote, develop, and unite co-operatives and credit unions for the benefit of people in Canada and around the world.

CCA supports its members and the co-op sector through the provision of services in three core areas - development, government affairs & public policy, and common table.

What We Do

Development

For over a quarter century, CCA has assisted co-operatives of all types and descriptions in over 40 countries through our International Development Program. Wherever we are active - in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Eastern Europe - our development projects are designed and managed with the complete involvement of local co-operative partners. Through co-operatives, CCA works to reduce poverty. Our work helps people to provide themselves with food, with education, with shelter, and with higher levels of income.

CCA also supports co-op development in Canada. Over the last number of years CCA has undertaken significant work in the following areas: health care co-ops, aboriginal co-ops, agricultural co-ops, and co-ops in low-income communities. Recently, in partnership with le Conseil Canadien de la Cooperation and the Co-operatives Secretariat, CCA launched CoopZone, a domestic co-op development system designed to connect and enhance the many sources of co-operative development information and expertise in all parts of the country and in both official languages.

Government Affairs & Public Policy

If government policies, legislation, and regulation are to enable co-operatives to thrive, a national voice for co-operatives must be heard within the corridors of power. Our Government Affairs & Public Policy (GAPP) unit analyzes and influences federal government strategies, policies, legislation, and regulations to ensure that the needs of co-operatives are met. Communicating this information to CCA members is an important part of the unit's work. Each month GAP Update highlights key public policy developments and government relations that are of interest to the co-operative sector

The GAPP unit also works with members to develop positions and representations to shape government policy and programs, and facilitates opportunities for CCA and its members to partner with the federal government.

Common Table

CCA provides a common table where co-operatives and credit unions across Canada come together around issues unique to them. CCA is currently focusing on two knowledge areas - democratic governance and leadership and community involvement strategies.

We collect, identify, and disseminate sector news, innovations, initiatives, and information to members through a variety of mediums, including a bi-weekly electronic news service, newsletters, our web site, a National Congress, a co-operative leadership institute, and peer group meetings.

CCA also collaborates with a network of regional co-operative organizations to work towards common goals, and we provide representation for Canadian co-ops to the International Co-operative Alliance.