The Co-op Development Path - 7 Steps in Forming a Co-operative

This provides a good overview of the entire process related to launching a co-op,  including the business and the democratic structure.

Creating a Co-operative: An Information Guide

This guide provides a good introduction to co-operatives, an overview of the key steps in starting a co-op, and a summary guide to setting up a co-operative in each of Canada's provinces and territories. The guide was a joint project of the national and provincial co-operative associations, and the Co-operatives Secretariat, last updated in 2005.

Starting a Co-op - Guides from On Co-op

The Ontario Co-op Association offers a set of tools for new co-ops to guide them from the pre-feasibility stage through to start-up and maintenance. At the link above, see the upper right of the page for a start-up guide and co-op assessment tool. Scroll this page for a list of factsheets on subjects ranging from financing to working with consultants.

Setting up and Maintaining a Federal Co-operative

This link to Industry Canada provides access to all the guidelines and forms required to set up a Federal Co-operative.  Most of Canada's co-operatives incorporate at the provincial or territorial level, but a group would set up a Federal Co-operative if it plans to operate in more than one province.

Co-operatives by Design (order online)

This book from British Columbia provides a detailed guide to the co-op development process, with 8 modules addressing all key stages of the process - from pre-feasibility through to business planning, financing and launch. Available in hard copy only.

Business Succession in Rural Communities - Guides to Converting Private Businesses to Co-ops

This set of guides resulted from a research project undertaken in 2007-08 that produced case studies and guidelines for retiring business owners and groups who want to work together to convert conventional businesses to co-operatives. See case studies at this link.

Building a Better Future through Co-operation: A Guidebook

This guide was developed to help people in low-income communities learn about co-ops and how to start one.  It was created in 2004, so some references in the back section are now outdated but the rest is still relevant.  The document features actual co-ops in low-income communities and can be used for a workshop or discussion group.

Guides for Co-op Business Planning and Financing