Non-financial co-operatives in Canada, 2023
Released: 2026-03-30
In 2023, there were a total of 5,714 active non-financial co-operatives in Canada, a 1.7% increase from 2022. Active non-financial co-operatives in Canada continued the upward trend observed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the third consecutive yearly rise of non-financial co-operatives since the 0.6% drop recorded in 2020.
A non-financial co-operative is a corporation that is legally incorporated under specific federal, provincial or territorial co-operative acts and that is owned by an association of people seeking to satisfy common needs, such as access to products or services, sale of products or services, or employment.
Quebec continues to display the highest level of activity in the non-financial co-operative sector in Canada
In 2023, Quebec had the largest share (44.7%) of all non-financial co-operatives operating in Canada, followed by Ontario (19.1%), Alberta (8.8%) and British Columbia (8.7%). Real estate and rental and leasing corporations in Quebec represented 17.9% of all non-financial co-operatives in the nation.
Chart 1
Active counts of non-financial co-operatives in Canada, by province and territory
Financial performance of non-financial co-operative is stable
Despite the increase in the number of non-financial co-operatives, financial indicators showed performance comparable with that observed in the sector in 2022. Revenue of non-financial co-operatives recorded a slight increase of 0.7% from 2022, reaching $66.6 billion in 2023. Meanwhile, expenses incurred by non-financial co-operatives declined to $63.8 billion, representing a 0.6% drop from 2022.
Chart 2
Financial performance variables of non-financial co-operatives
Notable financial performance and investment in wholesale and retail trade industry
Wholesale and retail trade was by far the highest-earning industry in the sector: its revenue reached $47.3 billion, accounting for 71.0% of total non-financial co-operative revenues in 2023. Assets held by co-operatives in the wholesale and retail trade industry amounted to $25.7 billion, representing 49.1% of the total assets across all non-financial co-operatives in 2023. Wholesale and retail trade also recorded the highest expenses among all industries, totalling $45.6 billion in 2023.
In 2023, the construction and manufacturing industry had $9.9 billion in revenue generated, $6.7 billion in assets held and $9.6 billion in expenses incurred.
Chart 3
Financial indicators by industry for non-financial co-operatives, 2023
Non-financial co-operative employee salaries and benefits continue to grow in 2023
In 2023, slightly over half (52.8%) of non-financial co-operatives were non-employers and operated by unpaid members. The sector also employed approximately 104,659 people, reflecting an increase of 2.6% from 2022.
Salaries and wages paid to employees in all industries rose by 7.2% from 2022 to reach $3.1 billion in 2023, following a 7.1% increase in 2022, indicating sustained employment growth in the non-financial co-operative sector. Employee benefits also grew, up 25.5% from 2022 to $104.4 million in 2023, after a 6.7% rise in 2022.
The wholesale and retail trade industry accounted for the majority of salaries and wages (63.1%) and employee benefits (81.6%) in the non-financial co-operative sector, reflecting the substantial expenses incurred by this industry in 2023.
Note to readers
A co-operative is defined as "active" if it has employees on the payroll, generates revenue or incurs expenses in a given year.
Estimates are based on domestic financial and employment data as reported to the Canada Revenue Agency.
All non-financial co-operatives included are legally incorporated under specific non-financial co-operative acts; they do not include financial co-operatives, such as credit unions and caisses populaires, which are governed by separate legislation.
Total assets include all current, capital and long-term assets, and assets held in trust.
Products
The infographic "Co-operatives in Canada, 2023," which is part of the series Statistics Canada — Infographics (11-627-M), is now available.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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