A Co-op membership is more than a card, it’s a share in a locally owned business. Members are part-owners, which means you can vote at annual meetings and share in the profits.

Each year, your local Co-op reviews its profits and returns a portion to members. Part of this comes back as cash and part as equity (your long-term ownership in the business). The more you purchase, the more your account grows.

Equity is your ownership stake that builds over time. Cash back is when your Co-op’s board decides to pay out part of your equity each year. Percentages vary by business line (like fuel, groceries, or farm inputs) and by how well your Co-op performed. Learn more here https://www.co-op.crs/membership-equity.

No. Everyone is welcome to shop. But members are owners and they help guide the business and benefit from profit sharing.

Membership is a one-time share purchase, usually around $10–$20 depending on your local Co-op.

Your Co-op number tracks purchases at your local Co-op association. Since each Co-op is locally owned, you may need separate memberships in different regions if you want to earn returns there too.

The GST you see on your equity statement is the sales tax portion tied to your patronage allocation. If your business is GST-registered, you’ll need to include this amount in your GST return (usually line 104).

Yes. Members may also qualify for preferred insurance rates with Co-operators on home, farm, auto, and travel coverage.