A co-operative is a corporation organized and controlled by its members, who pool resources to provide themselves and their patrons with goods, services, or other benefits. A cooperative business structure provides:

• Democratic control based on one member one vote.
• Open and voluntary membership.
• Patronage dividends.

A co-operative is identified by the use of the words “Co-operative” and either of “Limited”, or “Ltd”, which must be included in the corporate name in all business transactions.

Co-operatives are categorized under three different acts:

• The New Generation Co-operatives Act is provincial legislation that applies to all co-operatives in Saskatchewan, with exception to new generation co-operatives;
• The New Generation Co-operatives Act:: and
• The Canada Co-operatives Act provides for federal incorporation of co-operatives operating in at least two jurisdictions. These particular co-operatives must register under the Co-operatives Act, 1996.

New Generation Co-operative

The New Generation Co-operatives Act provides for the creation of a new kind of co-operative that:

• Produces, processes or markets agricultural products; and/or
• provides services to persons engaged in producing, processing or marketing agricultural products.
• Other types of permitted businesses may be added by regulation.

Unlike traditional co-operatives, these co-operatives can restrict membership.

Co-operatives name reservations and incorporations may be easily completed via our Corporate Registry Application.

Have you decided your business type?

Go to Step 2: Reserve a Name