How does someone become a member of an Ontario co-operative corporation?

Becoming a member of an Ontario co-operative generally involves applying to the co-operative, meeting whatever eligibility criteria the co-operative has set (such as living in a certain area, working in a certain industry, or intending to use the co-op's services), and typically purchasing a membership share or paying a membership fee as set out in the co-operative's bylaws. Approval is usually granted by the board or, in smaller co-operatives, by the existing membership, rather than being an automatic right simply because someone applies.

Because a co-operative's whole structure depends on active member participation and one-member-one-vote control, the bylaws often also set out ongoing membership obligations — such as maintaining a minimum level of activity with the co-op, in some cases — and the circumstances in which membership can be refused, suspended, or terminated. These details vary significantly between co-operatives depending on their purpose, whether it's a housing co-op, a consumer co-op, or a producer co-op. Anyone looking to join a specific co-operative should ask directly for its current membership application process, fees, and bylaws rather than assuming a standard set of requirements applies everywhere.