Together we CAN create an innovative Co-op that provides even better returns to its members with new services, democratic accountability, more community investment, and broad support for local farms and food.

 

What is Peninsula Co-op?

Peninsula Co-op is a locally owned and operated co-operative with 12 gas stations on Southern Vancouver Island and one large grocery store in Central Saanich. It was started in 1977 by a small group of Central Saanich residents who had a strong belief in the principles upon which Co-ops are based. It has since grown to over 50,000 members and 300 employees, and makes an annual profit of over $6 million.

The International Co-operative Alliance describes co-operatives as businesses that are jointly owned and democratically controlled by their members, and “put people at the centre of their business, not capital.” Co-operatives follow a broader set of values than only financial profit, helping to meet members’ “common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.”  Decisions made by co-operatives balance the need for profitability with the needs of their members and the wider interests of the community.

What is it today?

Over the years, The Co-op has shifted towards a more corporate model.  Today, the Co-op purchases only a small percentage of its products from local producers and it has invested heavily in expanding gas stations.  Peninsula Co-op’s proposal to re-zone prime Central Saanich farmland for a $12 million big-box store goes against the Official Community Plan and Regional Growth Strategy.  Out of $50 million in profits over the past 10 years, the Co-op has given back less than $2 million to community groups. It has done little to support local farmers, and does not list environmental giving among its priorities.

In recent years, the Co-op’s directors have also been involved in several controversies surrounding an increasing lack of democracy, transparency and accountability within the organization.  A legally appointed Arbitrator found “significant irregularies” in 2009 election of the Board concluding that the election was conducted in “bad faith” and in an “oppressive” manner, and ordered another election. For this reason, 6 of 9 seats on the Board are up for election in 2011.  This presents an unprecedented opportunity to re-shape the direction of the Co-op.

What Could The Co-op Be Doing?

Buy Local, Sell Local, Support Local. The Co-op’s collective strength gives it unique abilities to become a leading force in building food security and economic sustainability on the South Island. Currently, Vancouver Island imports over 90% of its food, so climbing oil prices and international instability put us at grave risk. The Co-op could be buying as much produce as possible from local farms. It could offer affordable, fresh, healthy local produce, meats and seafood to its members while providing local jobs and a reliable market for local farmers.  It could also be increasing annual donations and investing pro-actively in support of local farming, renewable energy, and community organizations.

Provide Access Where You Live. Only 12% of Co-op members live in Central Saanich, where the Peninsula Co-op grocery is located, leaving the majority of members without ready access. The Co-op could expand the offerings at their gas stations to include healthy, local food products, as well as add new locations throughout the region to offer pocket markets closer to where members live and work.

Make the Co-op more Democratic, Transparent and Accountable. The role of the Board of Directors is to represent the membership, and as such they are accountable to them. In recent years, however, Annual General Meetings have been places of conflict between Board members and the increasing numbers of Co-op members who are concerned about the election irregularities and would like to see changes within the Co-op.  As representatives of the members, the role of the Board of Directors is to welcome new ideas and be responsive to the changing needs of the community.  Peninsula Co-op needs a new Board with new voices that would move towards greater transparency and accountability.