Article

Alexander Fraser Laidlaw

Published Online February 13, 2008

Last Edited December 15, 2013

Alexander Fraser Laidlaw, co-operative leader, educator, writer (b at Port Hood, NS 12 Jun 1908; d at Ottawa 30 Nov 1980).

Laidlaw, Alexander Fraser

Alexander Fraser Laidlaw, co-operative leader, educator, writer (b at Port Hood, NS 12 Jun 1908; d at Ottawa 30 Nov 1980). He worked with Moses Coady as part of the Antigonish Movement (1944-56) and after 2 years with co-ops in India, became general secretary of the Co-operative Union of Canada (1958-68). He supported housing co-ops while on the board (1959-68) and on staff (1971-74) of Central (Canada) Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Retired in 1974, Laidlaw became a conscience and inspiration for Canada's Co-operative Movement through his writings and speeches, while he continued to consult for co-ops overseas. A lucid and prolific writer, he published regularly in the Maritime (Atlantic) Co-operator and wrote several books, including The Campus and the Community (1961), The Man from Margaree (1971), Housing You Can Afford (1977) and Co-operatives in the Year 2000 (1980).