Why Local Matters (Celebrating Co-op Week with WCG)

You might see one of our trucks rolling down your street or a technician stopping for coffee at the local shop. Then it clicks… that person is your neighbour. That’s the beauty of having a telecom cooperative in your community. We are not strangers flying in from somewhere else; we’re your neighbours, too.

This Co-op Week, we are celebrating what makes co-ops different and why being local matters more than ever.

A Telecom Built on Cooperative Principles

WCG isn’t just another telecom company. We are a Cooperative, owned by our members, and guided by cooperative principles. That means decisions are made with people in mind, not just profits. We believe in values like democratic control, concern for our community, and investing back in the places we call home.

Local Membership, Local Equity

Here’s something unique about us: every dollar that comes into WCG comes from our members. We do not have international investors or outside shareholders to pay out. Instead, what we earn gets reinvested into services, infrastructure, and community programs. Members also share in the success of the co-op through equity, which is our way of saying the value we build together belongs to all of us.

It’s a model that keeps money right here in Manitoba, working for the people who live here.

Jobs and Support That Stay Local

Being a member-owned co-op means your support directly creates jobs for Manitobans. From technicians to office staff, our team is made up of people who live in the same towns and cities we serve. When fibre internet expands across our region, it’s local crews who make it happen.

Giving Back in Big and Small Ways

Part of our responsibility as a co-op is to give back. You will see it in scholarships that support students, BBQ fundraisers that raise money for community clubs, and sponsorships that help local events thrive. These are not just nice extras; they reflect our commitment to the cooperative principle of “concern for community.”

A Neighbourly Way of Doing Business

At WCG, we see our members as neighbours first. Our values are rooted in cooperation, accountability, and putting people ahead of profit. When you see one of our trucks out and about, or run into a technician at the rink, you meet the same folks who keep your home connected.

Celebrating Co-op Week Together

Co-ops are built on the idea that when people work together, everyone benefits. At WCG, we are proud to live that out every day in over 80 communities across Manitoba.

This Co-op Week, we invite you to celebrate what makes co-ops unique. Learn more about how cooperatives work, and what being a WCG member means, by visiting our Cooperative Info page or our Membership page.

Because when you choose a local co-op, you are not just signing up for internet or TV. You are building equity, strengthening your community, and helping Manitoba grow.