The Role of Cooperatives in Communities: Examples from Saskatchewan

This paper examines the role of cooperatives in the economic and social development of communities in Saskatchewan, a prairie province of Canada. Based on a comprehensive study of cooperatives in that province, it provides statistical evidence of the economic importance of cooperatives and anecdotal evidence from interview that demonstrates the value of cooperatives in contributing to the social well-being of residents and in maintaining a sense of community. It also posits a number of theoretical models that can be used to explain the role of cooperatives in communities. A major finding is that cooperatives play a critical role in ensuing the continued social and economic existence of many communities, particularly smaller communities facing rural decline.