The CHF Canada Annual Meeting was held June 11–13, 2026 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, bringing together co‑operative housing leaders from across the country for three days of inspiring keynotes, workshops, learning sessions, and networking opportunities leading into the National Business Meeting.
British Columbia was strongly represented, with approximately 25 delegates and staff in attendance. At the National Business Meeting three key resolutions were approved with delegates strongly in favour:
Resolution 1: CHF Canada will lead a coordinated push for permanent rental assistance—mobilizing national advocacy, engaging governments, promoting co‑op housing, and working with partners to secure long-term affordability.
Resolution 2: Approval to establish a national Co‑operative Pre‑development Loan Fund with up to $10 million in sector investment.
Resolution 3: Enhance national and regional collaboration to drive growth and ensure strong, empowered co‑operative communities across Canada.
All three resolutions received strong support and CHF BC directors played an active leadership role, speaking in favour of the importance of strong advocacy to extend the FCHI-2 program for permanent funding for rental assistance and the game-changing initiative to fund a co-operative pre-development loan fund. This underscored a shared national commitment to both protecting affordability for existing co‑op members and taking concrete steps to expand supply.
We would particularly like to recognize the bold and forward-looking leadership of the CHF Canada Board and staff in bringing forward these resolutions.
Resolution 1 reflects looming concern for many BC co-ops, 170 of which could be impacted by the current 2028 end date of funding for the FCHI-2 program. This funding supports up to 20% of households in participating co-ops, representing 45% of the national $30 million program.
Resolution 2 represents an ambitious and practical step to address one of the most significant barriers to co‑op development—access to pre‑development financing. By advancing this proposal, CHF Canada is demonstrating the kind of confident, sector‑driven leadership needed to unlock the next generation of co‑operative housing across Canada.
Resolution 3 further reinforces this leadership by deepening national and regional alignment to maximize impact.
CHF Canada also unveiled a new strategic plan, Rooted and Bold, setting a clear and ambitious direction for growing the sector, strengthening co‑operative communities, and building a vibrant, democratic federation for the years ahead.
CHF BC’s presence was also reflected in the program, with the organization’s COO participating on a panel, The Power of Innovation and Partnerships, highlighting the 981 Davie Street project. BC’s leadership at the national level was further strengthened, with Danny Loubert elected as BC/Yukon Regional Director, and John Bathurst and Sally Yee elected as at‑large directors for three‑year terms on the national board.
Together, these outcomes reflect strong national momentum to both protect what we have built and boldly expand the future of co‑operative housing in Canada, with a national board bringing voices from across the country together to shape what comes next.