Founded in 1971 by six students from the University of British Columbia, Mountain Equipment Co-op is Canada’s leading outdoor retailer and largest co-operative. MEC is nearly 3 million members strong and counting.

As a co-operative, MEC exists to serve the needs of its members. Like our products, which are built with purpose, people and the planet in mind, our practices and programs are aligned to our membership’s core values. A commitment to wilderness conservation is a defining element of MEC’s sustainability policy and one of three long-range goals. Approximately one in ten adult Canadians is a member of MEC, and at least 80% of members believe we must protect our wilderness heritage now or risk irreversible degradation over the next decade. This isn’t just an MEC issue--this is a Canadian issue.

For over 20 years, MEC has provided financial assistance to grassroots environmental initiatives across Canada. MEC is proud to give its support to The Big Wild™, which will empower thousands of Canadians to protect our country’s wilderness.