Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 1 A Passion for Possibilities Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 2 Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 3 Co-operatives and Communities in British Columbia Edited and with Conclusion by Joy Emmanuel New Rochdale Press An imprint of The British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 4 Copyright 2007 The British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication A passion for possibilities : co-operatives and communities in British Columbia / edited and with conclusion by Joy Emmanuel. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-55058-353-3 1. Cooperative societies--British Columbia--Case studies. I. Emmanuel, Joy, 1955- HD2990.A3B74 2007 334'.0971 C2007-901085-7 Cover and book design by Carol Sokoloff Printed in Canada The British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies University of Victoria University House - Room P.O. Box , STN. CSC Victoria, B.C., VW R Canada Tel: () - Fax: () - Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 5 Acknowledgements A Passion for Possibilities is the British Columbia Institute for Co-opera- tive Studies’ first effort at understanding the diverse role of co-operatives in its home province. This is an exciting but complex subject, in part because historians and other researchers have almost completely ignored the roles of co-operatives in the province’s development, despite its rich history and current significance. Financed largely from grants from the B.C. government in , and , as well as support from the University of Victoria and contributions from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, this study explores co-operatives, past and present, in seven regions in the province. We are indebted to the leaders and members of co-operatives in those regions for their generous help, availability for interviews, and good advice. We hope they will find what we have produced accurate and helpful. The Institute is indebted to Kathleen Gabelmann for her signifi- cant role in conceptualizing the project, for contributing her intimate knowledge of many of the regions considered here, for her work with the students who undertook much of the research, and for her contri- bution during the early editorial stages. We are indebted to many students who undertook research and wrote sections of this book. We are particularly indebted to Laura Sjolie, who contributed to several sections of the research and writing, notably the Cowichan Valley, Dawson Creek, and Nelson as well as for her work in restructuring and developing the content for the commu- nity studies. Ryan George developed the statistical background that informed the project. Katie Rollwagen and Julia Smith researched and wrote about the Prince Rupert region. Nicole Chaland prepared the original study on Commercial Dive and assisted with the research on Dawson Creek. Kevin Wilson was the lead writer on the Malcolm Island study and an assistant reader of final drafts. Lloy Wylie and Gabe Haythornthwaite assisted with the research in Prince Rupert, Victoria Bowman in the Cowichan Valley and Commercial Drive, and Colleen Shepherd in Nelson. Kristen Sinats helped with some of the early editing of the results of the research. Eryk Martin contributed to Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 6 the work on Vancouver Island and assisted with updating and devel- opment of final drafts. Student researcher, Rob Rayner was also a support in the final months of writing, as was BCICS Technical Director, Robin Puga. We are indebted to Professor Anna Maria Peredo of the Faculty of Business, University of Victoria, and Professor Eric Morse of the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. Their work on an associated project (examining the impact of the New Economy on co-operation in British Columbia) undoubtedly affected and con- tributed to the research undertaken for this study. We are very grateful for their generous assistance. Joy Emmanuel, however, is responsible for bringing this volume together in its current form, for the final editing and updating process, and for writing the introduction and concluding chapters. She has placed her stamp on the work assembled here. We hope this study is the beginning of a goal we have set for our- selves for both the people of British Columbia and for researchers interested in the provincial movement: a steadily deepening under- standing of the roles co-operatives have played – and can play – in the province’s development. It is a promising field that deserves to attract many researchers and community activists. Ian MacPherson Director, BCICS Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 7 The BCICS project team in . Left to right Eryk Martin, Joy Emmanuel, Rob Rayner, and Dr Ian MacPherson. (Robin Puga) Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 8 Contents INTRODUCTION Our Vision Three Generations of Co-operatives How This Project Evolved – Steps, Stages, and Methodology What you will find in the Case Studies Why is this research important? CHAPTER ONE:Dawson Creek Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-ops in the Dawson Creek Area Recent Co-operative Development Analysis of Co-operative Development Conclusion CHAPTER TWO:Vanderhoof Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in Vanderhoof Area Recent Co-operative Development Benefits and Challenges to Co-operative Development Conclusion CHAPTER THREE:Prince Rupert Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in Prince Rupert Co-operative Development over the Decades Benefits, Success Factors, and Challenges Conclusion CHAPTER FOUR:Nelson Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in Nelson and Area Recent Co-operative Development Benefits and Challenges in Recent Co-op Development Why the Co-op Model? Conclusion Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 9 CHAPTER FIVE: The Southern and Central Okanagan Region Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in Central and Southern Okanagan Mergers and Amalgamations Recent Co-operative Development Conclusion CHAPTER SIX:Commercial Drive, Vancouver Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in the Commercial Drive Area Recent Co-operative Development Benefits, Supports and Challenges Conclusion CHAPTER SEVEN:Malcolm Island Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives on Malcolm Island Recent Co-operative Development Incentives for Co-operative Development Benefits and Challenges in Recent Co-operative Development Conclusion CHAPTER EIGHT:Cowichan Valley Regional District Community and Co-operative History Table : Past and Present Co-operatives in the Cowichan Area Recent Co-operative Development Success, Benefits and Challenges Conclusion CHAPTER NINE: Emerging Patterns The First Generation – s to s The Middle Generation – s to s The Youngest Generation – to Present Patterns in Co-operative Development Table : Number of Co-ops in B.C. - Challenges to Co-operative Growth Factors that Contribute to the Success of Co-operatives Recommendations for Strengthening Co-operative Growth Closing Thoughts ENDNOTES Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 10 Map One: Regions of British Columbia Studied Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 11 Introduction For over a century, co-operatives and credit unions have been an intricate part of the fabric of many communities throughout the province of British Columbia. Their impact on the social and econom- ic landscape of the province, however, has only been superficially explored. The movement is ignored in the history books, notably the standard text books on the province’s history, and co-ops are rarely discussed in the media. It is also, very difficult to study co-operatives and credit unions seriously at any of the province’s post-secondary institutions. Yet, as this book reveals, co-ops are flourishing around the province and they are continually being adapted to a wide array of circumstances as local residents respond to changing societal condi- tions and as they seek to maintain a measure of control over their destiny. A Passion for Possibilities arises from a desire to tell more of the story of this “quiet giant” nestled into the province’s history and actively engaged in the contemporary life of British Columbians. The advent of co-operatives in many cases predates the official founding of the communities in which they are located. In the first half of the th century, co-operatives helped form the economic backbone of the local economy in such areas as the Okanagan region in the south and Prince Rupert in the north. Early agricultural co-ops and fishing co-ops helped stabilize local economies and offered work- ers and their families a collective voice in bargaining a fair price for their goods in the market place. Small, microfinance arrangements grew into credit unions and offered financial support to members of the working and middle classes at a time when larger financial institu- tions were ignoring them. Consumer co-ops gave residents of rural communities and poorer urban districts the ability to provide the goods they needed at lower prices. Passion for Possibilities 4/26/07 3:29 PM Page 12 A Passion for Possibilities As communities flourished, the number and type of co-ops con- tinued to grow in many parts of the province. In the s, B.C. was introduced to transportation co-ops in the Kootenays. By the s, the first daycare co-op in the province was founded in the Cowichan Valley. As the lifestyles and needs of local residents changed, new co- ops were formed to address these changes. Many consumer co-ops took on a different look in the s and s as the natural food industry began to grow.