Co-operative Law

Co-op housing eviction reform bill passes 2nd reading

May 22nd, 2013 by Celia Chandler

As PC MPP Peter Shurman noted at Queen’s Park on May 14, 2013, Bill 14, which will reform the evictions process for co-operative housing, took a whopping 15 hours and 36 minutes of debate time in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, but the bill has finally moved to the Legislative Assembly committee for fine‑tuning.   CHF representatives were there and I’m sure will continue to be there throughout to make sure that the sector’s goals are met.

We’re watching this Bill’s progress carefully so that we’re prepared to help our co‑op clients make the transition from one eviction system to another.

In the meantime, we’re working hard with our co‑op clients when they make difficult decisions to evict members who are not meeting the community standard of behaviour.  Our experience at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) tells us that the same issues will apply when co‑ops are under their umbrella:  LTB decision‑makers must weigh issues of fairness and human rights in the same way that Superior Court justices do.   Removing someone’s housing is a decision no‑one ‑‑ from Co‑op Board members to landlords and to decision‑makers ‑‑ wants to make.  We applaud the careful attention that all of these groups must and do give.

Free Talk! Board Governance: Roles & Responsibilities

April 29th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Join the GTA Co‑op Network for this free talk by Paula Boutis
6:30PM Tuesday May 14 at Harvest Noon Cafe + Co-op.

If you’re on the board of a co-op, considering it, or just curious, you’re sure to gain some valuable information!

This talk will review the relevant legislation governing co‑operative governance, the roles of the directors & officers, and their obligations, including potential liabilities that arise when you are a director or officer of a Board.

Here’s the event listing on facebook. No RSVP or registration is required — just show up! This event is also an *optional potluck* so please bring something to share with the group if you have time! Finger-food is preferable. Join us afterwards for a drink, or just to socialize at the GSU Pub — just below Harvest Noon!

Free Talk: How to run a board meeting, and write your minutes, so you stay out of trouble and know what you decided.

April 4th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Paula Boutis is giving a free talk on April 18, 2013, at Harvest Noon for the GTA Co‑op Network:

Topic: How to run a board meeting, and write your minutes, so you stay out of trouble and know what you decided.

Location: 16 Bancroft Ave, on the 2nd floor of the Graduate Students Union building:

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with time for networking.  No registration required.

This workshop will review the basics of running an efficient meeting and how to properly minute your meetings. As lawyers specializing in membership based organizations, including Co‑operatives, we frequently need to review our clients records for various purposes, including litigation purposes. Knowing how to run meetings, and properly minute your decisions is crucial. Workshop leader Paula Boutis has volunteered in the non‑profit sector for over a decade. She is also frequently litigating the various issues that arise for the firm’s clients, and has seen the grief bad minutes can cause.

The Responsible Housing Provider ‑‑ Proposed Amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act

March 27th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

The recently introduced bill related to co-op housing eviction reform included something new: an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act that would allow the Landlord and Tenant Board to waive or defer application fees charged to low-income Ontario tenants.

This seems to have caught everyone off-guard including the PC housing critic who expresses his concern that while the filing fee is nominal, $45, this change could lead to an increase in tenant applications on an already over burdened system. Continue reading “The Responsible Housing Provider ‑‑ Proposed Amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act”

Offering Statements for Co-ops 101

March 22nd, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Brian recently presented a webinar offering statements for co-operatives to the CoopZone Legal Network. Offering statements can be a powerful tool for financing a project from the grassroots.  If you’re curious about how to go about raising money through an offering statement give Brian’s presentation a read (pdf) or give us a call.

UPDATE: CoopZone has made a transcript of this webinar avialble. Check it out (pdf). Also see a sample offering statement  here.

Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park

March 20th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

Last October’s prorogation of the legislature stalled the much‑anticipated co‑operative housing eviction reform bill.   Building on the momentum this issue had in the fall session, just a few short days after the new session began, Bill 14, the eviction reform bill, was given first reading (February 27, 2013).

Continue reading “Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park”