Cooperatives are increasingly working in sectors of innovation and social innovation, mentioned Isabel Faubert Mailloux, Executive Director of the COOP Network, in an interview as part of this series. "Their members create jobs that did not exist before with expertise that is not common in their field of activity." This is particularly the case for the urban design and events coop that bears the Committee's name.

“It’s funny, we realized this week that it’s been 10 years to the day since we met at UQAM while completing a DESS in event design,” says Emilie Gagnon. “Pierre (Moro-Lin), Maxime (Bonin) and I were paired up in a team without knowing each other for a project. We quickly formed a bond.”

In 2015, they got together again for a project as part of Montreal's 375th anniversary. Pierre was already familiar with the cooperative model since he was a member of Audiotopie, a sound design cooperative. "The cooperative corresponded to our approach, which is to use design as a tool to question the social, cultural and environmental impact of everything we create. We are focused on the quality of creation in a unifying spirit."

The Alley Cats project, which showcased the city's 19 districts through its alleyways for 19 weeks, was therefore their first major mandate.

Several other notable projects followed, including Jarry Vari on the Jarry promenade, floating campsites for Quebec City and the Val-David public market, which was completely redesigned by the team. “The goal of a co-op is to provide work for its members,” emphasizes Pierre Moro-Lin. “In the coming months, we hope to expand our ranks with other members who will have distinct and complementary expertise.”

A coop in times of pandemic

The trio came out of the months of confinement last spring rather well. They took advantage of the buffer period when several of their projects were on hold or postponed to reflect on our company's values. "We wrote a manifesto composed of our values and our vision in order to participate in the debate of ideas," explains Emilie Gagnon. In particular, we questioned ourselves on how we saw living together from a design point of view."

Here is the Committee’s Rebuild Gently manifesto:

Part 1: Towards a transitional city

Part 2: Towards a social city

Part 3: Towards a cooperative city

In a context where cities must rethink spaces based on health measures, the Committee's order book quickly filled up. "We had several projects to develop public spaces by creating an extension in a park, pedestrianization projects, signage in stores, for example," cites Emilie Gagnon.

Inspiring the younger generation

The cooperative model is increasingly widespread among the younger generation, the two interlocutors also observe. "The number of coops is starting to increase, especially with the professional orders of architects and engineers in particular, which have changed their regulations to include them," mentions Emilie Gagnon.

"We are more easily recognized at the ministerial level for funding," adds Pierre Moro-Lin. "We are getting closer to the NPO but with a profit motive. It is a hybrid model, in its own right, and I think that it should be put forward more."

The three members of the Committee are increasingly approached by awareness organizations such as Fusion Jeunesse and Montréal Relève . “We receive groups and we introduce them to the profession of designer, entrepreneur or what a co-op is,” begins Pierre Moro-Lin. Young people are curious, attracted and interested in this model where everyone has an equal voice.”

“Young employees are more sensitive to this egalitarian model, which is close to their values,” concludes Emilie Gagnon.