News

As we move into 2026, it feels important to pause and take stock — not just of what we’ve accomplished, but of why this co-operative exists and where we are headed together.

Where We Are

The Great Creators Cooperative Canada is no longer just an idea or a proposal. It is a functioning, Canadian-owned, member-governed creative co-op.

We now have:

• A working platform supporting Canadian creators
• Active members across multiple creative disciplines
• Fair, transparent processes for membership, sales, and payouts
• Real transactions, real earnings, and real lessons learned
• We are still small. And that is not a weakness — it is a foundation.

What We’ve Built Together

In a landscape dominated by global platforms, we have chosen a different path.

We have built:

• A co-operative that puts creators before algorithms
• A structure where ownership matters more than scale
• A space that values fairness, clarity, and accountability
• Every member who purchased a share, listed a work, offered feedback, or simply believed this was worth trying has helped make that possible.

This co-op exists because you chose participation over passivity.

What Hasn’t Been Easy

Co-operative work is slower than corporate platforms — by design.

We have faced:

• Technical growing pains
• The challenge of doing things “the right way” instead of the fastest way
• The reality that trust is built one decision at a time
• These challenges have strengthened our governance, clarified our policies, and reminded us why this work matters.

What Comes Next

Looking ahead, our focus is not rapid expansion, but steady, sustainable growth.

In the coming year, our priorities include:

• Improving member tools and onboarding
• Expanding relationships with libraries, schools, and Canadian institutions
• Strengthening internal governance and member participation
• Ensuring financial stability while maintaining fair compensation
• Growth will come — but only if it serves the members, not the other way around.

Why This Matters

The Great Creators Cooperative Canada exists because Canadian creators deserve:

• Ownership of their work and their marketplace
• Transparency instead of sudden rule changes
• Community instead of isolation
• We are proving that a co-operative model for creators is not only possible — it is necessary.

A Thank You

Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your commitment to something larger than individual success.

This co-op belongs to you.
Its future will be shaped by your voices, your creativity, and your willingness to build something that lasts.

Yours In Cooperation

Larry Whaley
Founding Member and Board Chair
Great Creators Cooperative Canada