International Day of Cooperatives

International Day of Cooperatives History

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday in July every year as a tribute to the cooperative movement's efforts to improve people's lives globally. The day's goal is to raise awareness about the cooperative movement's relevance, contributions, and impact. The day also aims to promote and uphold the cooperative model as a valuable and sustainable alternative to business as usual.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first International Day of Cooperatives in 1995, and the theme for the inaugural observation was Cooperation among Cooperatives. Since then, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the United Nations invite cooperatives globally to celebrate the day with a particular theme each year. In Canada, cooperatives play a crucial role in the country's economy, providing employment opportunities, essential services, and food security. According to the Canadian Co-operative Association, over 18 million Canadians are members of at least one cooperative, and the top 100 cooperatives in the country generate over $55 billion in assets.

The day's celebrations in Canada include events organized by cooperatives to educate the public about the benefits of cooperatives to their communities. Such events could include cooperative fairs, workshops, exhibitions, and community service projects. Through these activities, Canadians are given the opportunity to learn more about the cooperative movement and show their support for it. The International Day of Cooperatives is observed annually on July 1st.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day of Cooperatives in Canada

• The 2026 observance of the International Day of Cooperatives will be held under the theme Cooperatives for a Peaceful World!, emphasizing the sector’s role in fostering social justice, community resilience, and economic inclusion following the momentum of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives in 2025.
• More than 18 million Canadians, representing approximately half of the population, are currently members of at least one co-operative, credit union, caisse, or mutual.
• In a significant move for the sector, the 2026 Spring Economic Statement permanently codified a $10 million capital gains tax exemption for business owners who sell their companies to worker co-operatives or Employee Ownership Trusts.
• The Canadian co-operative movement contributes over $52.8 billion annually to the national GDP, with the province of Quebec currently hosting nearly 45% of all active non-financial co-operatives in the country.
• Credit union members across the country are expected to see enhanced service through the 2026 launch of Real-Time Rail, Canada’s first national real-time payment system, which allows these member-owned institutions to compete more effectively with major banks.
• Leading up to the July observance, the Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada 2026 Congress will convene at York University in Toronto from June 8 to 10 under the domestic theme Power the Economy.
• The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada will mark the season by hosting its 2026 Annual Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick, focusing on aging in place and the preservation of affordable housing through land trusts.
• Research indicates that 83% of Canadians believe co-operatives help stabilize local communities during economic fluctuations, a sentiment that aligns with the global call for cooperatives to act as bridge-builders in an increasingly fragmented world.

In the News and Trending in Canada for International Day of Cooperatives

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Explore upcoming events near you. The International Cooperative Alliance hosts events that focus on community and societal growth.
• Watch the UN's 2020 International Day of Cooperatives video if you missed it. The video focuses on cooperative solutions that can help lower the risks of climate change.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about cooperatives in Canada. Here are some suggestions:
  1. A Silent Transformation (2017) - This documentary showcases the transformative power of the cooperative model in diverse Canadian communities. It features several Canadian cooperatives, including a renewable energy co-op and a housing co-op.
  2. The Spirit of Cooperation (2017) - This documentary, produced by the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation, explores the concept of worker cooperatives and highlights one example, Just Us! Coffee Roasters, in Canada.
• Show your support by visiting and purchasing from local cooperative businesses such as food co-ops, credit unions, housing cooperatives, and worker co-ops.