Co-ops can be big. Really BIG. Let’s discuss.
When people think about co-operatives, they may picture a small, local enterprise. But what happens when co-operation connects communities, businesses and members across a much larger network?
That’s the conversation we’re opening on October 1 with Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL).
Last year, Business Not as Usual introduced new audiences to the co-operative model. The response was clear: you wanted to keep learning, asking questions, and exploring where co-operatives could take us next. So this fall, we’re bringing the conversation back through a series of free virtual sessions - and everyone is welcome.
Grab a cup…
Our first guest is Kim McDougall, Manager, Retail Governance, Legal and Governance at FCL. Kim will take us inside FCL’s story: how its co-operative network works, what it means to stay committed to the model at scale, and how that commitment shows up in practice.
We’ll also put the Co-op Futures Challenge question to Kim and hear her take: Why aren’t co-operatives a mainstream business model in Canada—and how can we change that?
… and join us.
If you’re new to co-operatives, this is a chance to see the model in action. If you already work in the sector, come hear FCL’s story and bring your own perspective to the conversation.
Student teams across Canada are exploring the same question through the 2026 Co-op Futures Challenge. You don’t need to be a Challenge participant—or know anything about co-ops—to join us. If you’re curious about how co-operatives work and where they could go next, this conversation is for you.
Get registered.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
12:00 p.m. MT | Zoom | 50 minutes
Guest: Kim McDougall, Federated Co-operatives Limited
Register for the October 1 session
Links just dropped - save your spot for the next two sessions
FCL is our first stop. In the next two sessions, we’ll look at how the co-operative model works in different communities, then step back to ask what could help more people discover it.
2. Thursday, October 8 - 1pm MT | Co-operatives in Action
Venue Co-op YVR + Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative
Explore two very different co-operatives and hear how the model works across different industries, communities, and contexts.
3. Thursday, October 15 - 2pm MT | Rethinking the Future of Co-operatives
Academic & Co-operative Panel, moderated by Stan Yu
A conversation about the Challenge question, why co-operatives remain underrepresented in post-secondary education, and what could help strengthen their place in Canada’s future.
Curious about the student teams exploring these questions? Learn more about the 2026 Co-op Futures Challenge.
