CHF Canada Resolution – UN Sustainable Development Goals & Co-op 2030 Vision

  14 June 2023

The first resolution members will be voting on at the 2023 CHF Canada national business meeting promotes co-op action towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Co-op 2030 Vision.

The Resolution

Here is the text of the resolution that CHF Canada delegates will be voting on:

RESOLUTION 1: Promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Co-op 2030 Vision

Submitted by: Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

Contact: Coral Hetherington, Chair, Resolutions Committee, CHF Canada boardofdirectors@chfcanada.coop

WE RESOLVE:

  1. THAT CHF Canada take action to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
  2. THAT CHF Canada encourage suppliers and members to take similar action to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
  3. THAT these actions be shared through Co-op 2030 pledges and reported where possible using standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative;
  4. AND THAT CHF Canada Board of Directors amend our Environmental Code of Practice policy in support of this resolution.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

  1. CHF Canada members adopted a resolution in 2017 to join the International Co-operative Alliance in acknowledging the power of co-operatives to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of seventeen objectives designed to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
  2. Co-operative principles and the work of the co-operative housing sector contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals in many areas such as Quality Education, Good Health and Wellbeing, Zero Hunger, and Climate Action. Co-ops for 2030 is an opportunity for housing co-operatives to learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, commit to pledges to achieve these goals and report their progress which demonstrates the sector’s positive impact.
  3. The UN Sustainable Development Goals and Co-op 2030 Vision are aligned with one of the international co-operative principles of concern for community. This means co-operatives are dedicated to the sustainable development of their communities.
  4. CHF Canada’s Policy 1.2.5: Environmental Code of Practice was recently reviewed by the Board of Directors and updated to align with this resolution.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Funding for CHF Canada’s Member Services, Education, Communications and Advocacy activities have been included in the 2023 and 2024 operating budgets.

Download a PDF of this resolution

CHF BC Amendment

CHF BC will be proposing the following amendment to the resolution:

THAT CHF Canada call on the federal government and the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion to fund and launch without further delay the new Co-operative Housing Development Program first promised in the 2022 federal budget;

Your Role

As a co-op member, you have a say. Encourage your co-op delegate to review the 2023 Resolutions package on CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting event site, and be ready to vote June 17. If you or your co-ops delegate are not able to be in Ottawa, you can particifpate virtually at the business meeting.

Co-ops for 2030

The Co-ops for 2030 campaign encourages co-ops to pledge toward one or more of the17 goals that are most relevant for co-ops. These include reducing experiences of poverty, promoting equality, and climate action.

In 2017, CHF Canada members passed a resolution supporting the UN SDGs. The resolution also encourages members and sector partners to participate in the Co-ops for 2030 Campaign organized by the International Co-operative Alliance.

This year’s resolution updates this commitment, and commits CHF Canada to more sustainable practices, and annual pledges and reporting for the Co-ops for 2030 Campaign.

Co-ops of all kind are pledging commitments to advance towards the UN SDGs in action areas that include:

  • Protecting the environment
  • Improving access to goods and services
  • Building a more sustainable food system
  • Eradicating poverty

This resolution also supports this year’s theme of the International Day of Co-operatives (observed on the first Saturday in July) is “Co-operatives: partners for accelerated sustainable development.” The celebration marks the 29th International Day of Cooperatives recognized by the United Nations and the 101st International Cooperative Day.

Democratic Functioning