Winnipeg Taxi Co-op

Terri Proulx

Manitoba Worker Cooperatives
• Maximum three year probationary period
• Shares paid by members must be equal amongst
members
• Shares paid are money “at risk”
• One member = one vote

Worker cooperatives
• Enable everyone to contribute economically: creates a
stronger, wealthier, and more entrepreneurial middle
class
• Retain money locally
• Benefit communities
• Are about self‐help, not charity; empowerment, not
aid
• Teach “on the job” skills that are transferable

Interesting facts
• Canada’s cooperatives hold over $210 billion in assets
• Long term survival rate is twice that of other business
models
• Cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy
• Cooperatives have a higher growth rate of
employment than the Canadian economy in general
• At least 10 co‐ops are listed in the top 500 companies
in Canada
• Winnipeg has the largest number of worker
cooperatives outside of Quebec in the country.

The 7 Cooperative Principles
Voluntary & Open Membership
Democratic Member Control
Members’ Economic Partiicipation
Autonomy and Independence
Education, Training, and Information
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Concern for Community

Where the co‐op began
• March 2008 – 6 individuals
• April 2008 – 60 individuals
• May 2008 – 100 individuals
• June 2008 – 120 individuals
• July 2008 – 130 individuals
• Today – 155 individuals

How many taxis do they have?
The following shows how many residents each city has
per one taxi:
Winnipeg 1700
Calgary 709
Edmonton 800
Toronto 540
Vancouver 981

Why a co‐op?
Taxi cooperatives exist in many cities. Usually in a
producer cooperative format.
The individuals signing on to the co‐op wanted a
democratic and equitable workplace.
These potential members recognize the advantage to
the consumer and therefore, their business, when
each driver has a stake in the company.
As owners of the business, the drivers know their CPP
contributions are remitted and income is recorded
accurately on their T‐4’s.

The sixth principle: Cooperation
among cooperatives…
• The Winnipeg & Area Chapter of the Canadian
Worker Cooperative Federation
• The Canadian Worker Cooperative Federation
• The Manitoba Cooperative Association
• The Canadian Cooperative Association
• CICOPA
• The International Cooperative Association

Co‐operatives helping
co‐operatives
Union Cab: Madison Wisconsin
Started in 1979 with 30 members and 11 cars. Today they
have 230 members and 63 cars.
Annual revenues are over $5 million USD, and the
cooperative budgets for a 2.5% operational surplus, of
which 20% of that is returned to the members in the
form of patronage dividends while 80% is retained in
the business.
Should Winnipeg Taxi Co‐op receive licences, Union
Cab representatives will be assisting the members in
November.

Conclusion
• Winnipeg Taxi Co‐op will benefit a market segment
currently under‐served
• Support from approx. 30 organizations
• Support from the cooperative community and those
working in CED.
• Please follow further news and look for Winnipeg
Taxi Co‐op’s phone number on the internet.