Tofino Co-op 2026 AGM Recap: Community, Gratitude, and a Look Ahead

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Annual General Meeting.

Our AGM is always an important opportunity to gather with members, reflect on the year, and recognize the people who help shape our Co-op’s future. This year’s reports shared a steady 2025, continued investment in our community, important operational upgrades, and a few meaningful changes around the Board table.

Giving back to members and the community

Community support continued to be a major focus for Tofino Co-op.

Last year, the Board donated $80,000 to local charities supporting youth academics, athletics, and community initiatives. We also contributed $10,000 to the Wickaninnish Community School Food Program and scholarships for graduates, along with sponsorships to help local kids attend camp and gift card donations for fundraisers, inclusion efforts, and community events.

These contributions reflect what being a local, member-owned Co-op is all about. When our members choose to shop locally, that support stays connected to the people, programs, and organizations that help make Tofino stronger.

Looking ahead: Food Store generator, C-store upgrades, and parking improvements

In the President’s Report, Iris Frank thanked members for attending and extended appreciation to the hard-working staff at Tofino Co-op.

Our Board continues to focus on building relationships and partnerships that support local clubs, groups, foundations, and activities. This work reflects our commitment to helping build a stronger and more connected community.

Several important operational updates were also shared.

The Food Store generator has finally arrived and is set to be installed this summer. Once fully installed, we will be able to operate through power outages, keeping essentials available for members and customers. That means hot coffee, hot meals, open coolers and freezers, and continued service when the community needs it.

The long-anticipated C-store upgrades are also underway. Construction has started, with the grand opening expected in spring 2027. In the meantime, fuel, propane sales, and a kiosk for coffee and snacks will be set up once civil work is completed.

We are also looking at improvements to the existing Food Store parking lot this fall to help with traffic flow and easier access.

Remembering Carol Schulz

This year’s AGM also included a heartfelt recognition of Carol Schulz.

The Tofino Co-op Board of Directors extends its condolences on Carol’s passing and its deep gratitude for her contributions to the Co-op and the broader Tofino community.

Carol was a dedicated Tofino resident for more than 30 years and gave 18 years of service to the Tofino Co-op Board of Directors. She served as Board President for 12 years and also held roles as Finance Chair, Acquisitions Chair, and Planning Coordinator.

She was a passionate champion of the co-operative business model.

Under Carol’s governance, Tofino Co-op reached major milestones, including tripling total sales, rebuilding the Food Store, upgrading operational locations, and securing millions of dollars in real estate assets, much of it dedicated to employee housing.

Carol also helped create strong administrative stability by hiring and working with three General Managers, making use of Federated Co-operatives Limited technical services, and representing Tofino Co-op at FCL Annual and General Meetings.

Her leadership helped maintain equity rebates of 4% to 6%, double the co-operative average, while ensuring major capital projects, including the Gas Bar upgrade, were self-funded without debt.

Carol’s experience, leadership, and dedication leave a lasting legacy for Tofino Co-op and for generations of members to come.

Thank you, Carol.

Board updates

The AGM also brought a few Board updates.

Iris Frank was re-welcomed to the Board for another term. We also said goodbye to Molly Law and welcomed Gary Marks to the team.

Gary has lived in Tofino for more than 50 years. His children were born at Tofino General Hospital, and his family’s roots in the community now extend to another generation.

His community involvement includes working for the Village in the 1980s, building and running the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre for 15 years, teaching in School District 70 for more than 20 years, supporting Clayoquot Sound Little League, and serving as President of the Pacific Rim Foundation for 15 years.

In his own words, Gary shared deep gratitude for the volunteers and community members who give their time and talent to Tofino, including fire department members, Coast Guard members, nurses, doctors, EMTs, teachers, aides, recreation volunteers, and seniors.

The Board will vote on positions such as President and Secretary at its next meeting, with those updates to come later this month.

A steady year for Tofino Co-op

In his General Manager’s Report, Calvin Milliken thanked members for their continued support and for choosing to shop locally for hardware, family fashions, Gas Bar, and grocery needs.

The 2025 fiscal year was a steady one for Tofino Co-op. Sales reached $30,608,442, an increase of $781,900 over 2024 sales of $29,826,541.

While our Gas Bar saw an anticipated drop of 221,793 litres, we were able to make up those lost sales through other departments and locations. Calvin credited the hard work of staff for helping the Co-op finish the year strong.

The year also brought a different rhythm to the busy season. With mild, sunny weather stretching into October, no forest fires, no cyber-attacks, and minimal road closures, we had strong opportunities to serve members and visitors. The report also noted a shift in tourism, with fewer visitors from the United States and more visitors from Europe.

This year, we will allocate $972,449 back to members at a rate of 5% on member purchases.

That return reflects the strength of a member-owned business model and the continued support of people who choose to shop locally.

Thank you to our members

We are grateful to our members, staff, Board, and community partners for their continued support.

From local giving to facility upgrades, Board service, and strong member returns, this year’s AGM highlighted the value of a Co-op that is rooted in community and built for the future.

Thank you for continuing to shop locally and support your Co-op.