There was much to celebrate at the 50th anniversary CHF Canada AGM, where co-ops from across Canada gathered in Victoria, including the outstanding Vision Keynote Panel discussion at the opening on June 8. Housing Minister Selina Robinson welcomed delegates by encouraging everyone in the sector to continue pursuing unique partnerships to preserve and grow the co-op sector.

The panel discussion, a first for CHF Canada, offered a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges of affordable housing, as well as ideas on how to tackle the crisis, from BC’s Margaret Pfoh – CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, Paul Kershaw – UBC Professor and founder of Generation Squeeze, and Shachi Kurl – Executive Director of the Angus Reid Institute.

Darrah Teitel of the Abiwin housing Co-op in Ottawa moderated the panel of thought leaders through questions around issues facing the country’s younger generation (Kershaw’s response: “You’re squeezed, not screwed – there is hope!”), building partnerships across the housing sector spectrum, and how different groups are affected by the housing crisis.