This document discusses health, wellness, and social service co-ops in Canada. It notes that there are 10 provincial health systems and 3 territorial systems, with differing needs across the large geographic expanse of Canada. Co-ops allow communities to identify their own priorities and focus on prevention, wellness, and community needs. Co-ops are more sustainable and cost-efficient than other models when established carefully. The sectors covered by co-ops include home care, mobile health services, culturally appropriate services, health centers, wellness promotion, and support for employment barriers. Co-ops constantly innovate to serve members across Canada. They are advised to listen to their communities, focus on what they can do, share

1. La Fédération canadienne des
coopératives de santé ChairHCCFC@gmail.com
www.healthcoopsCanada.coop
Health, Wellness & Social Service Co-ops in
Canada
Why?
It’s not easy, so WHY do we do it?
Vanessa Hammond

2. The Canadian reality
• ~ 3 people per km2 UK ~ 175 people per km2
• 10 Provincial health systems, 3 Territorial.
• Under the Canada Health Act we cannot require
membership in order to provide tax-based (CHA /
NHS) services.
• English, French, 28 major immigrant languages and
9 active First Nation languages.
• Aging population, unequal access to services.

3. Why health, wellness and social services co-ops in Canada?
Every community has its own priorities – Ottawa and the
provincial Ministries of Health do not know everything!
When we take ownership, we identify the real priorities, then
focus on the needs of each community, on wellness, on
prevention of illness, on health education.
We work with the wider community.
Co-ops, when well and carefully established, are more
sustainable and cost efficient than any other form of
organization.
Democratic, values based, 7 International Co-op Principles
(7ICPs) to keep us on track.

4. The World Health Organization defines the health
care as:
• Illness/accident prevention
• Wellness and health promotion
• Treatment and cure
• Rehabilitation
Health, Wellness and Social Service Co-ops work in
ALL of these areas. Most specialize in one or two
areas.

5. Are all Canadian
HWSS Co-ops identical?
NO!
Huge land mass 10,000,000km²
Cities: Toronto, Montreal population similar
to the Manchester Built Up area.
Skidegate, about 781. Some air access only.
Many languages. Different needs & capacity.

6. Our Sectors
La Fédération
canadiene des
coopératives de santé

7. Home Care

8. Mobile Health Services
Innovation to serve our communities

9. Culturally Appropriate Health Services
Innovation to serve our communities

10. Health Centres and Community Wellness Outreach
Innovation to serve our communities

11. Focus on Wellness and Prevention of Illness
Innovation to serve our communities

12. Support to Overcome Barriers to Employment
Innovation to serve our communities

13. Health, Wellness and Social
Services co-ops constantly
innovate to serve members
and communities from
coast to coast to coast
throughout Canada.

14. Health, Wellness and Social Services co-ops
How to fail:
• Power in too few hands
• Do too much too quickly
• Own facilities
• Require membership for
tax-supported services
(Canada Health
Act/NHS)
How to succeed:
• Listen to your
community
• Focus on what
you CAN do
• Share resources
with other co-ops
• Innovate
• Federate
General “How to fail” & “How to succeed” comments in the plenary

15. La Fédération
canadienne des
coopératives de
santé
ChairHCCFC@gmail.com
www.healthcoopsCanada.coop
Ask us!
Call, email, write,
check out the website,
facebook and twitter.
Vanessa Hammond