Cluster 2
Co-operative Membership and
Changing Boundaries of Community

This research cluster examined the nature of co-operative membership and social cohesion in a rural and regional mileux. Co-operative membership was considered in the context of globalization and the changing definitions of regions, communities, towns, villages and cities. Issues of member invovlement and group indentificiation were linked to other forms of personal identity with a special emphasis on cohesion and regionalism in this globalizing economy.

This cluster also included a concentration of research taking place in Québec. Researchers affiliated with CRISES and Université du Montréal worked in the areas of worker co-operatives in the forestry sector and social solidarity co-operatives (respectively) which provide employment for marginalized individuals. Study sites included a number of consumer and financial co-operatives, in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, the Prince Albert area of Saskatchewan, and forestry co-operatives and social solidarity co-operatives in various regions of Québec.

Research Team

Michael Gertler, University of Saskachewan, Cluster Co-ordinator
Leslie Brown, Mount Saint Vincent University
Mario Carrier, Université Laval
Cristine de Clercy, University of Saskatchewan
Brett Fairbairn, University of Saskatchewan
Benoît Lévesque, CRISES

Partner Organizations

Coopérative de développement régional Québec-Appalaches, Sainte-Foy QC
Fédération des coopératives de services à domicile du Québec, Lévis QC
Gimli Credit Union, Gimli MB
Prince Albert Co-op, Prince Albert SK
Prince Albert Co-operative Healthcare Centre, Prince Albert SK
Prince Albert Credit Union, Prince Albert SK
Québec Ministère de l'Industrie du Commerce, Québec QC
Réseau d’investissement social du Québec, Montréal QC
South Interlake Credit Union, Selkirk MB

Sites: Prince Albert, SK; Interlake Region, MB; Québec

Cluster Diagram (pdf)

For more information about the research in this cluster please contact the Cluster 2 Co-ordinator.