Our Story
Reliable and dependable services brought to you by your neighbours.
Quadro Communications Co-operative was established in November 1994, after converting from the Blanshard Municipal Telephone System, established in 1924. Originally, our service area was limited to the exchanges of Sebringville, Granton, Kirkton and Uniondale. In recent years, the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC), has approved our expansion into the neighbouring communities of Birr, Bryanston, Clandeboye, Dublin, Harrington, Lucan, Mitchell, St. Columban and Wellburn. In 2019, Quadro announced our Fibre to the Home project in the Town of St. Marys, a three year project to cover the entire town with the latest Fibre technology. Quadro is one of several independent telecommunication companies in Southwestern Ontario.
VALUES:
EXHIBIT INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND VALUE IN EVERYTHING WE DO
MISSION:
ENRICH OUR CUSTOMERS’ EXPERIENCE WITH PERSONAL SERVICE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
VISION:
FULFILL THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS
MOTTO:
INNOVATE – ADAPT – LEAD
What is a Co-operative (Co-op) business model?
It is a different business model! Co-ops are:
- Democratic, member-owned organizations, not share-holder based.
- Membership is a one-time $1 fee for as long as you maintain services.
- A Co-ops primary responsibility is to meet its member’s needs and to provide value.
- Members determine how the Co-op is managed.
- One Member – One Vote. Members elect a board of directors from membership.
- Power is equally shared, not concentrated in the hands of a few.
We know you have a choice, thanks for choosing us!
Membership Has its Benefits
As noted above, there are many benefits to paying your $1 lifetime share and being a member of the co-operative. In addition to sharing in the equal pride of ownership, you receive:
You Get a Voice
As a member, you have an opportunity to assist in providing direction to the company by voting at the annual members meeting or by running for a directors’ position on the board. The details of running for the board and the past 7 year AGM results are in the members portal.
You Share in the Profits∗
When the Board of Directors declares a patronage return, you receive a refund which is applied as a credit on your active account (typically in February). The patronage dividend, historically, has been 2% of your annual billing. In 2021, Quadro returned by means of the patronage credit, $243,000+ to our members.
You Support Our Local Communities
Each year Quadro sets aside $10,000 to reinvest in our community. You can learn more about Quadro Community Involvement by visiting the page here: Community.
Our Members Children can participate in Quadro Specific Programs:
Students who live with Quadro Members (when not in school) are eligible to apply for a scholarship grant and younger students may be eligible to participate in a Co-operative Youth Leaders program offered by the Ontario Co-operative Association and sponsored by Quadro up to $1,000. To learn more about the program, visit here: Quadro’s CYL Leadership Grant.
We look forward to your feedback and participation as a Co-operative member. We encourage your suggestions to serve our community better. It’s your company! Let’s make it the best it can be.
Quadro’s Association Memberships
Quadro is currently members of INDEPENDENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION (ITPA), Canadian Independent Telephone Association (CITA), and National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA).
INDEPENDENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION
The Independent Telecommunications Providers Association (ITPA) is a non-profit organization that represents Independent Local Exchange Carriers in Ontario and British Columbia to governments, their various agencies and other industry players. Currently the ITPA represents nineteen local exchange carriers that together serve approximately 100,000 access lines across rural Ontario and British Columbia.
http://www.itpa.ca/
CANADIAN INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION
The Canadian Independent Telephone Association (CITA), founded in 1905, was initially comprised of small independent telephone companies located within the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Today, it is a Canada-wide association of companies which provide telephone service within British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec..
http://www.cita.ca/
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), “the voice of rural telecommunications,” is the premier non-profit association representing over 570 small and rural telephone cooperatives and commercial companies.
http://www.ntca.org/
ONTARIO CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
Co-operatives are a different kind of business model that are driven by people, planet and profit. We are a member of The Ontario Co-operative Association (OCA) that supports, develops, educates and advocates for Ontario’s 1,500+ co-operative businesses.
http://www.ontario.coop/
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INSURANCE BOARD (WSIB)
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) helps businesses with their health and safety journey. Quadro is part of the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program. The badge displays our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, customers, and community.
