Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat (RCS) is responsible for coordinating the Government of Canada's effort towards co-operative development. Legislative authority is delegated to RCS by Section 4 of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Act and an Order in Council made pursuant to Section 5 of the Act.

The Secretariat advises the government on policies affecting co-operatives, co-ordinates the implementation of such policies, and encourages use of the co-operative model for the socio-economic development of Canada's communities. The Secretariat also enhances information sharing and collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments, co-operatives, academics and other stakeholders engaged in the development of co-operatives.

The Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) is delivered by the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat in partnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité. CDI is designed to help people develop co-operatives and to research and test innovative ways of using the co-operative model.

For more information, please visit www.coop.gc.ca.