Co-operators Expands National Co-operative Network with Écono Coop Membership

Co-operators Expands National Co-operative Network with Écono Coop Membership

Co-operators has confirmed the addition of Écono Coop as a new member, marking a significant development in its governance framework and expanding its national co-operative network. The announcement was made at the company’s Annual General Meeting held in Toronto from April 1 to 4, 2025.

Écono Coop, founded in 2020, is a for-profit co-operative operating outside Quebec. It joins Co-operators as a multiregional member, representing over 750 early childhood education centres and reaching more than 50,000 children across Canada. The co-operative provides services in both English and French to meet the needs of providers across different regions.

Paul Hanna, Executive Vice-President of Member Relations, Governance, and Corporate Services at Co-operators, stated that Écono Coop’s vision of enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and quality of childcare aligns with Co-operators’ values. He emphasized that this partnership highlights the crucial role childcare plays in shaping future leaders and contributing to community resilience.

“Community resilience depends on its most vulnerable members,” Hanna noted. “Écono Coop’s mission to create supportive spaces for children directly contributes to Co-operators’ broader goals.” He added that the new membership brings additional value and perspective to the governance structure.

Patrice Gauthier, Executive Director of Écono Coop, expressed confidence that joining Co-operators will strengthen their existing partnerships and enhance their ability to deliver insurance solutions tailored to the evolving needs of members across Canada.

The Co-operators board approved Écono Coop’s membership on February 21, 2025. This strategic expansion comes as Co-operators celebrated its 80th anniversary and acknowledged the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives.