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CHF Canada members enjoy lunch at Victoria’s Crystal Gardens. Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Co‑op Housing Day in Victoria
Mayor Dean Fortin welcomed delegates to Victoria and declared May 30 Co‑operative Housing Day in Victoria. He talked about what Victoria is doing - legalizing secondary suites, providing rebates for secondary suite renovations, and working with non-profits - to create more affordable rental housing. He said they city will continue to “look for innovative ways to bring change and for the city to be involved in partnership because we recognize that housing is crucial for the health of our citizens, the health of our economy, and for the health of our region.” He quoted former Prime Minister Lester Pearson’s 1965 comment on housing, “It is the necessity for everyone to have a decent dwelling - not to make all homes mansions, but to ensure that none of them will be hovels. It is only a very rare soul that can expand in a hovel. The objective of decent housing simply has to be achieved in our democratic society" “Housing is crucial for the health of our communities, Fortin added. “It is so essential. I wish you success in your deliberations. Your success will be our city's success; your success will be our nation's success.” The proclamation to make May 30, 2009, Co‑operative Housing Day in Victoria. Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Federal government action on housing
Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary, spoke on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. He commented on the fact that co‑op housing is a true grassroots movement, and mentioned the history of co‑operative housing published in 2008. In Under Construction: a history of co‑op housing in Canada, author Leslie Cole recounts the many achievements of the co‑op movement — from “the early pioneering efforts in the 1930s and 40s” to the encouraging signs that a “small revival” is underway today. Komarnicki quoted Executive Director Nicholas Gazzard’s comment in the book’s foreword that the commitment of co‑op members is… “a testament to the admirable sense of civic engagement that co‑op housing engenders in those who reap its benefits.” And, Komarnicki continued, “ I’m proud to say that our Government appreciates the vitality of that commitment — and its many social benefits. CHF Canada members have helped to house Canadians in affordable, quality housing for more than 40 years. You continue to work hard to preserve Canada’s investment in affordable housing. And with the current economic situation, your future success is more important than ever to Canadians. That’s why we have to work together to ensure that people on fixed incomes can continue to live independently and remain in their communities. And that’s why our Government is taking timely and focused action to invest in housing. Canada’s Economic Action Plan will provide $7.8 billion to build quality housing, stimulate construction, encourage home ownership and enhance energy efficiency. This includes a one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years to build new and renovate existing affordable housing. And half of this investment — or $1 billion — is directed toward the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing. Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill A report on co‑op satisfaction with the Agency
Ray Hession, President of the Agency for Co‑operative Housing, reported on the results of the Agency’s recent client satisfaction survey. The survey results identified three key drivers of overall satisfaction: going the extra mile; timely responses and access to the Agency as administrator of its funding program. Ray Hession, President of the Agency for Co‑operative Housing. Photo credit to: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Workshops and networking sessions
A key part of the annual meeting is the education component. You’ll find handouts from some of the workshops and notes from the networking sessions in our Resources Centre. Workshop leader, Halina Kuras. Photo credit: Jesse Hlady/shoot-2-thrill
Members participate in a workshop. Photo credit: Jesse Hlady/shoot-2-thrill |
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