Many individuals and organizations working at local, regional, provincial, and national levels have been key partners and promoters of Men’s Sheds, and the ongoing growth of the movement in Canada is a testament to this collective effort.
Provincial Men’s Shed associations are particularly instrumental in spreading the word about the value of Men’s Sheds and how to get them started. They promote Shed development in their provinces, provide mentoring to new and emerging Sheds, and convene Shed gatherings to connect Shedders to meet and greet, share ideas, and learn together. There are currently provincial associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and their effectiveness is reflected in the growing number of Sheds in those provinces. For anyone interested in starting a Shed, if you reside in one of these provinces, the provincial association is a great place to start.
Men’s Sheds Canada collaborates with provincial associations in several ways, including:
- Promotion: lobbying governments to provide resources.
- Networking: through websites, online meetings, in person gatherings.
- Outreach: developing materials, multi-media tools.
- Education and training: workshops and seminars for Shedders and Ambassadors.
- Research: to clarify the need for men’s health policies and solutions.
- Corporate alliances and sponsorships: developing relationships with partners to leverage resources.
- Shed grants: to support new and existing Sheds.
Men’s Sheds Ontario (MSO) started in January of 2022, when there were seven operating Sheds in the province (five in the Ottawa Valley). Since then, MSO has developed its website, started a monthly Zoom “RoundUp” meeting, set up a bank account, negotiated reduced rate liability insurance for each Shed and become incorporated. With the help of grants they have crisscrossed the province to make presentations and, as a result, there are six new but well established Sheds and another eight Sheds in various stages of forming – excellent growth! MSO looks forward to a long and productive working relationship with Men’s Sheds Canada to advance Shedding across the country.
For current information on Ontario Men’s Sheds, please contact MSO at mensshedsontario@gmail.com
The Alberta Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) was incorporated in May 2023. At that time there were 13 Men’s Sheds in Alberta. A year later there were 29 Men’s Sheds. At the 2024 AGM the Association adopted a regional structure, aligning each of six regions with the regional structure of Healthy Aging CORE Alberta. Each AMSA region has a Director on the Provincial Board.
AMSA has adopted a collaborative model for creating awareness and promoting Men’s Sheds. The three primary collaborating organizations are Family, Community Support Services (FCSS) with 200 offices and staff across Alberta, Healthy Aging CORE Alberta, with a network of over 1800 professionals and practitioners working with Seniors, and The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues with over 160 Community Leagues in Edmonton (neighbourhood focused). The number of Men’s Sheds now in Alberta has now reached 31, with five in development. Funding from UWBC, Men’s Sheds Canada and HelpAge Canada has supported all of AMSA’s Shed Development/Outreach and Capacity Building activities.
For current information on Alberta Men’s Sheds, please contact Albertamenssheds@gmail.com
Men’s Shed Association of British Columbia (MSABC) started in 2017 with approximately seven Sheds and now has up to 40 paid member Sheds and 22 Associate Members. The Association held a Provincial Conference in Squamish in 2021. MSABC has sponsored a buying program for Automatic External Defibrillators as funds allow and has been able to arrange discounted insurance rates for member Sheds. The Association also has a robust outreach program. Individual member Sheds fundraise and donate to various groups, put together kits for kids, help build wheelchair ramps, and offer other helpful services. MSABC is volunteer driven and well respected within its respective communities and over the years has been able to reach many goals through funding from Health Age Canada, United Way of BC, and Men’s Sheds Canada.
For current information on B.C. Men’s Sheds, please contact MSABC President Jan Fenema at fennema4@telus.net
Manitoba was the birthplace of the Men’s Shed movement in Canada. It all began in 2008 when Lisa Koshinsky, from Saskatoon, learned about the concept during a chat with a woman from Australia. Inspired, Lisa called her father, Doug Mackie in Winnipeg, encouraging him to start a local Shed, and the first Men’s Shed officially opened its doors in September 2009. Today there are 14 Men’s Sheds serving hundreds of members throughout the province and Men’s Sheds Manitoba is actively working to connect them and to promote the creation of new Sheds.
For current information on Manitoba Men’s Sheds, please contact menshedmanitoba@gmail.com