A democratic bank? It's a monopoly in Calgary, one "credit union" owns them all now. Modern day credit unions simply exploit tax advantages, they aren't this touchy feeling cooperative thing anymore. They are very much for profit in all but name and are as rotten as the other banks. Should get your hands on the executive payroll.

As for Calgary Coop, yes you get to elect the board. They play favourites, and you can have your choice between Corporate Bob, Corporate John or Corporate Margaret. You can run, but they play favourites and heavily promote their choices of the ideal candidates, which of course are slightly different versions of themselves. They've made some pretty controversial choices the last 5 or 6 years too. They aren't even part of the Federation Coop anymore, Calgary Coop is just branding now. They overprice everything and then offer you the so called rebate. Its a joke.