Firm News

Client Profile: Bethune Housing Co-operative Inc.

August 26th, 2013 by Iler Campbell
Bethune Housing Co-operative in Gravenhurst

Bethune Housing Co-operative in Gravenhurst

Bethune Housing Co‑operative Inc. is the only non-profit housing co‑operative in Gravenhurst, Ontario.  Bethune’s 31 units are in a low rise building surrounded by trees on the edge of beautiful Muskoka.  Incorporated in 1991, Bethune is a modern building with many fully accessible units, helping to fill a need for affordable housing in this part of Ontario.

Working through its Co‑ordinator and now a property management company, Bethune’s board has called on Iler Campbell LLP for advice primarily on member issues since 2000.  And despite the miles between Gravenhurst and Toronto, we’ve been just a phone call or email away.

Client Profile: Mainstay Housing

July 29th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

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Mainstay Housing is a non-profit agency working with people who live with mental health and addiction issues and who are deeply affected by poverty.  Mainstay provides housing and ongoing support and opportunities to be part of a community.  Mainstay’s rents are geared-to-incomes and are subsidized by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.  Tenants live independently in a variety of housing options with flexible support from Mainstay’s supportive housing workers.  Mainstay is the single largest non-profit provider of supportive housing in Ontario with 1100 residents living in 867 households of singles, couples and families in 41 residential locations across Toronto.  In addition, Mainstay has 88 additional apartments in the private rental market.  Professional staff, from caretakers and maintenance workers, to admin and support staff, work together to ensure the properties Mainstay’s tenants call home are safe, quality places to live.

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Client Profile: Options for Homes Non-Profit Corporation

July 10th, 2013 by Iler Campbell
Danforth Village Estates, one of Options' current projects, on  Danforth Road just north of Eglinton Avenue East.

Danforth Village Estates, one of Options’ current projects, on Danforth Road just north of Eglinton Avenue East.

Options for Homes Non-Profit Corporation (“Options”) is dedicated to providing quality condominium homes in great communities at the best possible price. Over 3,700 new homes have been built using their innovative model, creating great communities of people living in quality homes that are affordable.

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Brian Iler reelected to SolarShare board of directors

June 25th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

We’re pleased to announce that Brian has been reelected to the board of directors of SolarShare Co-operative. SolarShare is a not-for-profit co-operative corporation with the express goal of growing community-based solar electricity generation in Ontario by engaging residents and investors in projects that offer tangible financial, social, and environmental returns. Since 2010, SolarShare has been developing and installing solar power projects across the province. SolarShare is a project of TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative.

Along with Brian’s reelection, SolarShare President Mike Brigham also announced four new projects that will bring SolarShare’s total portfolio to 1.59 MW and $10 million invested by August 2013.

Brian has been on the Board of Directors of TREC and SolarShare since their inception and he is a founding director of Toronto’s innovative wind energy co-op, Windshare, which co-owns the wind turbine on Toronto’s waterfront. He’s also a past chair of Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, and a founding director of the Community Power Fund.

Client Profile: Hesperus Village

June 21st, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Hesperus Village

Hesperus Village in Vaughan, Ontario is a seniors’ affordable housing residence offering an independent lifestyle and a rich quality of life. Half of the apartments are rent-geared-to-income units. Located adjacent to the Toronto Waldorf School, Hesperus is surrounded by a protected green space on a wooded ravine along the East Don River.

Hesperus residents may choose to enjoy communal meals and many participate in a variety of social, cultural, spiritual, and gardening activities. Hesperus balances the strengths of a strong institutional organization with the nurturing aspects of a caring community. Residents experience the aging process with dignity and grace. Hesperus encourages interaction between the generations, people of diverse cultures, people on various spiritual paths, and those with a variety of interests, skills and talents. Hesperus residents enjoy the security of an on-site medical clinic with three physicians offering both conventional and holistic care. Trained personal support workers are also available as needed.

Hesperus founders were inspired by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) whose spiritual world view – called Anthroposophy – is reflected in the architecture of the residence building, biodynamic gardening, healthy foods, festival celebrations, and the value of communal life.

Iler Campbell LLP is pleased that Hesperus found our firm in 2012, bringing to us a range of questions and issues from how to operate a seniors’ facility in a manner that complies with human rights requirements to government relations questions and commercial real estate transactions. Our relationship, while relatively new, is strengthening as we develop our understanding of Hesperus’ work and the philosophy that underpins it.

Visit Hesperus’ website to learn more and see more photos of its facilities.

Priya Sarin included in rabble.ca’s best of 2013 collection

June 20th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Last night marked the launch of rabble.ca’s latest publication, Red Squares, White Feathers: Best of rabble.ca 2013, and we’re very pleased to let you know that one of Priya’s articles is included in the book. In rabble’s words:

What a collection! Read Judy Rebick’s reflections on the 2012 political year, Maher Arar on Torture, Pam Palmater on Harper’s attack on Indigenous people, Karl Nerenberg on the racism facing the Roma, and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois on capitalism, Quebec politics and the student movement. And that’s not all! Keep reading and you will find Murray Dobbin on the need to talk taxes, Priya Sarin on eroding labour rights, Nora Loreto on the responsibility to act for non-Indigenous people. Plus tons more!

You can read Priya’s article here, and buy the book here for the very reasonable cost of $10.00 + $2.95 shipping/handling.