On November 16 we hosted our Annual General Meeting. It’s an important event in our calendar for maintaining good governance, but it’s also an opportunity for us to connect with members, and for co-op members to connect with their larger community.

This year, in addition to the reports and updates required by our governance model, we celebrated our past while looking to the future of the co-operative housing sector in BC.

As Board President Danny Loubert explains, “The lessons and stories we tell help shape the conversation and shape the federation we all want.”

You can catch up on the last year with our 2025 Year in Review.

As part of the United Nation’s Year of the Co-operative, we explored our own history, highlighting milestones in BC’s housing co-op movement. We interviewed key figures in the growth of co-op housing, reflecting on how the sector has grown, and which challenges remain the same.

You can take a deeper dive into this history with our online timeline.

“Our history proves what’s possible when members live the co‑op values and principles, specifically principle number four – autonomy and independence,” says CHF BC COO, Michelle Cooper-Iversen. “We are taking our future into our own hands by building communities, renewing leadership and affirming the positive impact of housing co-ops.”

We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Community Land Trust (CLT). Since launching in its current form in 2015, our non-profit development society has grown to hold a $1.25 billion real estate portfolio, which includes more than 34 co-ops totaling over 2,600 occupied homes. An additional 1,280 homes are currently in development or under construction in Victoria, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Kelowna and North Cowichan.

This growth shows no sign of stopping, as we also presented a five year strategic plan to guide the CLT’s growth.

As always, participants were given the opportunity to share comments and ask comments of our senior staff and board.

“I was truly excited to see that so many want to be at the table. Our democracy and our co-operative is best severed when we have member engagement,” says Danny. “Our governance can only grow when we have everyone at the table.”

The meet wrapped up with the election of new board members. Nine candidates stepped up to campaign for five open positions, and we would like to thank them all for their thoughtful participation in this vital aspect of governance.

Member delegates voted to re-elect Dyanna Pfenniger, Eric Finkel, Lisa Berting and Sally Yee, and elect Robert Baxter to a first term. Sherry Fortais also joins the Board of Directors as the new Vancouver Island Director. Thank you to departing members, Sharon Esson and Dave Maier for your service.

Every AGM reminds me of what makes the co-op sector unique: our members,” says CHF BC Managing Director, Jarrett Hagglund. “They continue to bring insight, commitment, and a shared belief that co-operative housing is a solution to our current housing crisis. Their passion for BC’s co-operative housing movement always fuels me for the work ahead.”

Our AGM is timed to lead into the annual Housing Central conference, presented by BC Non-Profit Housing Association, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association. Several staff and board members attended, connecting with and learning from affordable housing professionals from across the country. This event helps to strengthen our sector as we all work towards a shared vision of providing everyone with the opportunity to access safe, secure, affordable housing options.