Interview with Marie-Josée Paquette General Director of the Quebec Council of Co-operation and Mutualism (CQCM)

How did you first get involved in working with cooperatives and mutuals?

I started working in the cooperative movement in 2014. At the time, I had no idea what was a cooperative, nor a mutual and the impact that those businesses have on the development of Quebec. I discovered that co-operators and mutualists are passionate and people-oriented folks. Cooperatives are literally a vector for innovations. They create opportunities for youth, not only to realize their dreams, but also to answer the needs of communities and, therefore, they are a solution to Quebec’s social and economic challenges.

Quebec’s cooperative movement is dynamic and has been involved in communities for more than 150 years. Those businesses still, to this day, have a lot to bring to the table. Their engaging business model ensures the support of different stakeholders, making them more sustainable than an incorporated business. For instance, they often ensure the accessibility of essential services in rural communities.

A new trend emerging is incorporated businesses using the cooperative model to mutualize needs and services to be more competitive in different markets. To this day, the cooperative model has shown to be progressive, up to date and still relevant to contribute to global challenges such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am more than proud, and I consider myself privileged to represent and promote that business model and to support cooperators and mutualists across the province.

What does the Quebec Council of Co-operation and Mutualism (CQCM) do?

The CQCM is one of the Quebec government's two privileged interlocutors in matters relating to the social economy, as defined by the framework law on the social economy, specifically regarding the representation of Quebec's 3,000 cooperatives and mutuals.

Its mission is to participate in Quebec's social and economic development by promoting the full development of the Quebec cooperative and mutual movement, in accordance with the principles and values of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).

• It organizes dialogue between the cooperative and mutualist sectors and with their partners.
• It represents and defends the interests of the entire Québec cooperative and mutualist movement.
• It fosters cooperative and mutualist development to multiply the beneficial effects of cooperation and mutuality for its members and the public.
• It promotes the values of cooperation and mutuality to the public.It supports the development of cooperative and mutualist skills through cooperative and mutualist networks and educational institutions.

How does the CQCM work within the wider SSE ecosystem in Quebec?

It's important to understand that Quebec's social economy ecosystem is brimming with skills, know-how, convictions, and complementary actions. At the CQCM, the organization I represent, we are the voice of cooperatives and mutuals in the social economy. Therefore, we collaborate on a regular basis with the Chantier de l’économie sociale that is the voice of the SSE movement in Quebec. A distinctive element that we have in Quebec for the SSE is its development ecosystem. We are well organized and able to contribute in an effective way to answer the needs of communities.
We also have a strong partnership with the Quebec’s government and a framework law in social economy that contributes to the effectiveness of our actions. We all try to push in the same direction to ensure more impacts for the benefits of all communities.

Is the UN resolution on the promotion of the SSE for sustainable development relevant for Quebec?

Quebec's cooperatives and mutuals do more than just contribute to the UN SDGs. They embody the leadership needed to change the way we do things, in order to reduce social inequalities, fight against climate change, provide sustainable employment and ensure our food self-sufficiency.

Of course, to make full use of this democratic, transparent and committed business model that prioritizes collective well-being, the younger generation of entrepreneurs needs to learn about it academically.
Our political leaders need to master its capabilities, and our developers need to be able to offer this model and support entrepreneurs effectively, to maximize their creation throughout Quebec.

How do you see the CQCM and the cooperative, mutual and wider SSE ecosystem in Quebec helping advance the recommendations of the UN resolution?

We will continue to give the right impulse to this development ecosystem, and to represent our members at the best of our capabilities in our dealings with government authorities to ensure that our actions are both coherent and effective. For the past 10 years, the Social Economy Framework Act has recognized us as privileged interlocutors of the Quebec government in matters of social and solidarity-based development. It is important to reiterate to all players in the social economy ecosystem, whether from the public, private or collective sectors, that it is essential to commit to continuing the work.

We are committed to represent and promote social entrepreneurs from everywhere in Quebec. We are committed to continue our involvement, to innovate and be a role model for the social economy on the national and international scene.