Worker Cooperative Development

WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN DEVELOPING WORKER COOPERATIVES
IN Platform Cooperatives: Workers can get fair share for services
Call it gig economy, sharing economy, or platform economy, at the end it is the worker who delivers the services. Is the worker paid fairly?
In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media and mobile technologies have reshaped how relationships are built, how information is shared, and how influence is wielded. This revolution has empowered individuals more than ever before, creating opportunities to reclaim control over their work and resources.
Can this power be harnessed by workers?
Absolutely! Through worker cooperatives, workers can sell their services directly to end users, bypassing intermediaries like brokers and agencies. This model gives workers more autonomy, fairer compensation, and control over decision-making.
The Co-operative Corporation Act has evolved to support this shift, enabling cooperatives to integrate social media and mobile technologies in their operations. One key improvement is the ability to hold member meetings via electronic means such as teleconferencing, web conferencing, or email. This advancement makes it easier for cooperatives, especially those with members spread across large geographic distances, to increase participation and engagement in decision-making processes.
Our Services
We provide an array of social support services to assist women, gender diverse individuals, newcomers, immigrants and groups from diverse backgrounds in developing successful worker cooperatives, including knowledge sharing and training on topics such as:
- “Eight Principles of Cooperatives” Workshops: Learn the core values that drive cooperatives.
- “Ten Steps to Develop a Cooperative” Workshops: Practical guidance on starting a worker coop.
- “Six Business Skills Development” Workshops: Enhance the key skills needed to run a successful cooperative business.
- Mentorship from Cooperative Professionals: On-going guidance from experienced co-op leaders.
- Tours to Worker Cooperatives and Coop Stakeholders: See co-ops in action and learn from their successes.
- Ongoing Support in Developing Worker Cooperatives: We provide resources and expert advice through every stage of development.
- Service-Specific Discussion Forums: Engage with fellow cooperators and share best practices.
- Annual Cooperative Conferences: Stay updated on industry trends and network with other cooperatives.
- Volunteer & Placement Opportunities: Gain hands-on experience in the cooperative sector.
- Networking Opportunities with Cooperative Stakeholders: Connect with professionals, stakeholders, and potential partners.
- Information & Resources: Access to valuable tools and materials to support your cooperative journey.
Our Current Cooperative Projects
We are currently developing six worker cooperatives, each offering unique services designed to empower local communities:
- PSW (Personal Support Worker) Cooperative: Providing essential health care services directly to clients, ensuring quality care and fair wages for workers.
- Cleaning Cooperative: Offering residential and commercial cleaning services, where workers have a say in operations and share in the profits.
- Hairdressing Cooperative: A collective of skilled hairdressers offering services to the public while benefiting from shared resources and marketing.
- Arts Cooperative: Bringing together local artists to create and sell their works, ensuring fair compensation and community support.
- Daycare Cooperative: Parents and caregivers working together to provide high-quality, affordable childcare services in a cooperative model.
- Sewing and Clothing Cooperative: Focused on designing and producing custom clothing, this cooperative promotes sustainability and ethical fashion practices.




- Testimonial from Oleymio – PSW Cooperative Participant
“Joining the PSW Cooperative development program has been a life-changing experience for me. Before this, I didn’t know how to navigate starting a cooperative, but with the guidance and training provided, I now feel empowered and equipped to build something sustainable. The workshops on cooperative principles and business skills have given me the confidence to take control of my future. The mentorship and ongoing support from the team have been invaluable. I’m excited to continue developing our PSW Cooperative and provide top-quality care to clients, while also creating a fair and empowering work environment for myself and my fellow workers.”
– Oleymio
- Testimonial from Emma Sheikh – Sewing Cooperative Participant
“The Sewing Cooperative program has opened so many doors for me. As someone who has always had a passion for sewing, I never thought I could turn it into a thriving business. The training and support I’ve received through the cooperative development program have been incredible. From learning the business model and skills necessary to run a cooperative to connecting with other talented women, this experience has been both educational and empowering. I now have a clear vision for our sewing cooperative and can’t wait to offer high-quality, handmade clothing while promoting ethical fashion. I’m proud to be part of this journey!”
– Emma Sheikh













Testimonies from WMRCC Clients
It feels so good to have someone to talk to; someone who understands the issue and sensitive to my feelings. I am always looking forward to coming to my counselling session every week!
Today I hesitated quite a bit before coming to this session. I contemplated cancelling the appointment but here I am leaving a different individual from the one who walked in. I feel so much lighter after my session. These counselling sessions present an opportunity to feel free and clear my mind of negative and other thoughts of hopelessness.
This agency was there for me in the early nineties when majority of the community did not know how to deal with a Muslim woman like me, for that I will always be grateful.