Winnipeg Taxi Co-op
Terri Proulx
- Page 2 and 3: Manitoba Worker Cooperatives • Ma
- Page 4 and 5: Interesting facts • Canada’s co
- Page 6 and 7: Where the co‐op began • March 2
- Page 8 and 9: Why a co‐op? Taxi cooperatives ex
- Page 10 and 11: Co‐operatives helping co‐operat
Terri Proulx
Manitoba Worker <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eratives<br />
• Maximum three year probationary period<br />
• Shares paid by members must be equal amongst<br />
members<br />
• Shares paid are money “at risk”<br />
• One member = one vote
Worker co<strong>op</strong>eratives<br />
• Enable everyone to contribute economically: creates a<br />
stronger, wealthier, and more entrepreneurial middle<br />
class<br />
• Retain money locally<br />
• Benefit communities<br />
• Are about self‐help, not charity; empowerment, not<br />
aid<br />
• Teach “on the job” skills that are transferable
Interesting facts<br />
• Canada’s co<strong>op</strong>eratives hold over $210 billion in assets<br />
• Long term survival rate is twice that of other business<br />
models<br />
• <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eratives <strong>op</strong>erate in every sector of the economy<br />
• <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eratives have a higher growth rate of<br />
employment than the Canadian economy in general<br />
• At least 10 co‐<strong>op</strong>s are listed in the t<strong>op</strong> 500 companies<br />
in Canada<br />
• <strong>Winnipeg</strong> has the largest number of worker<br />
co<strong>op</strong>eratives outside of Quebec in the country.
The 7 <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Principles<br />
Voluntary & Open Membership<br />
Democratic Member <strong>Co</strong>ntrol<br />
Members’ Economic Partiicipation<br />
Autonomy and Independence<br />
Education, Training, and Information<br />
<strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eration Among <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eratives<br />
<strong>Co</strong>ncern for <strong>Co</strong>mmunity
Where the co‐<strong>op</strong> began<br />
• March 2008 – 6 individuals<br />
• April 2008 – 60 individuals<br />
• May 2008 – 100 individuals<br />
• June 2008 – 120 individuals<br />
• July 2008 – 130 individuals<br />
• Today – 155 individuals
How many taxis do they have?<br />
The following shows how many residents each city has<br />
per one taxi:<br />
<strong>Winnipeg</strong> 1700<br />
Calgary 709<br />
Edmonton 800<br />
Toronto 540<br />
Vancouver 981
Why a co‐<strong>op</strong>?<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> co<strong>op</strong>eratives exist in many cities. Usually in a<br />
producer co<strong>op</strong>erative format.<br />
The individuals signing on to the co‐<strong>op</strong> wanted a<br />
democratic and equitable workplace.<br />
These potential members recognize the advantage to<br />
the consumer and therefore, their business, when<br />
each driver has a stake in the company.<br />
As owners of the business, the drivers know their CPP<br />
contributions are remitted and income is recorded<br />
accurately on their T‐4’s.
The sixth principle: <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>eration<br />
among co<strong>op</strong>eratives…<br />
• The <strong>Winnipeg</strong> & Area Chapter of the Canadian<br />
Worker <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Federation<br />
• The Canadian Worker <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Federation<br />
• The Manitoba <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Association<br />
• The Canadian <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Association<br />
• CICOPA<br />
• The International <strong>Co</strong><strong>op</strong>erative Association
<strong>Co</strong>‐<strong>op</strong>eratives helping<br />
co‐<strong>op</strong>eratives<br />
Union Cab: Madison Wisconsin<br />
Started in 1979 with 30 members and 11 cars. Today they<br />
have 230 members and 63 cars.<br />
Annual revenues are over $5 million USD, and the<br />
co<strong>op</strong>erative budgets for a 2.5% <strong>op</strong>erational surplus, of<br />
which 20% of that is returned to the members in the<br />
form of patronage dividends while 80% is retained in<br />
the business.<br />
Should <strong>Winnipeg</strong> <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Co</strong>‐<strong>op</strong> receive licences, Union<br />
Cab representatives will be assisting the members in<br />
November.
<strong>Co</strong>nclusion<br />
• <strong>Winnipeg</strong> <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Co</strong>‐<strong>op</strong> will benefit a market segment<br />
currently under‐served<br />
• Support from approx. 30 organizations<br />
• Support from the co<strong>op</strong>erative community and those<br />
working in CED.<br />
• Please follow further news and look for <strong>Winnipeg</strong><br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Co</strong>‐<strong>op</strong>’s phone number on the internet.