In countries such as Brazil and Japan, and in some regions of Spain, the United States, and Canada, health co-operatives are a significant part of the health care systems. [...] Following a similar view, the primary purpose of this report is to provide the reader with a general understanding of health co-operatives, review some examples, consider opportunities for development of health co-ops in the north and put forth suggestions on how to improve access to information on health co-ops. [...] For this report, I have compiled the following information: • a definition and brief introduction to co-operatives, • Set out some defining characteristics of health co-operatives, •. A brief history of the development of health co-operatives in Canada, •. A summary of current trends in Canadian health co-operatives, •. Several case studies of Canadian and international health co-operatives, •. In [...] For the co-operative, the motives are to serve its members, build a healthier community, and improve the social determinants of health in the broader community. [...] Although anyone can use the services of the health clinics, the benefits of becoming a member of the co-operative are: you can run for the board of directors, you can serve on committees, you can volunteer, and you can receive their newsletter (Saskatoon Community Clinic, 2008).