There are several kinds of incorporated bodies in BC, each with its own legal framework. Companies have the Business Corporation Act; societies have the Societies Act; condominiums have the Strata Property Act; and co-operatives have the Cooperative Association Act (the Co-op Act).

The full, official name of the Co-op Act is Cooperative Association Act, SBC 1999 – Chapter 28. SBC 1999 means that the Act is part of the Statutes of British Columbia (SBC) and was originally passed in 1999. You can review the Act’s legislative history, including any changes not in force in the Tables of Legislative Changes.

We have only one resource in this section, but it’s a big one: CHF BC’s Guide to the Co-op Act.

It’s a few years old, and we will be updating it over the next year for release in 2026. It remains an excellent resource and a great companion to your Rules, and your own official copy of the Act, itself.

What you see on the BC Government website are unofficial versions of the Act or the Regulation. It is best to buy your own, true copy. Co-ops and members can buy the Cooperative Association Act and the Cooperative Association Regulation (the Regulation) from Crown Publications.