The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) registers organizations conducting business as a co-operative under the Co-operative Corporations Act. You should be aware that many co-operatives are regulated under additional pieces of legislation. Day care co-operatives for instance, are also regulated under the Day Nurseries Act.

There are many types of co-operatives. Usually members have a common interest/goal (e.g., housing co-operative, agriculture). Co-operatives differ from other public companies in that each of their members have one vote only, despite the number of shares they hold.

• How to Register a Co-operative
• Tips for Co-operatives Relating to Offering Statements
• Tips for Co-operatives Relating to Articles of Incorporation and Amendments
• Tips for Renewable Energy Co-operatives Relating to Articles of Incorporation and Amendment
• Legislative and Regulatory Changes: Co-operative Corporations Act and Regulation Amendments
• Resolving Co-operative Complaints
• Fee Schedule under the FSCO Act (Certificates of Status)
• Fee Schedule under the Co-operative Corporations Act

For more information:

Phone: (416) 250-7250
Toll free: 1-800-668-0128
Fax: (416) 226-7838
Attention: Licensing and Market Conduct Division

Or, you may write to:

Licensing and Market Conduct Division
Financial Services Commission of Ontario
5160 Yonge Street,
Box 85, 4th Floor,
Toronto, ON M2N 6L9