Don Goss

Hello! I’m Don Goss and here are the reasons why I wanted to represent you as your Newfoundland & Labrador / Nova Scotia Regional Director on the CHF Canada Board.

I believe that we need a representative to CHF Canada that actually lives in one of the two provinces they seek to represent.

I think we need someone who actually lives in a housing co-op to represent us.

There is and should always be a place for Allies, and I endeavour to be an ally to the First Nations Peoples; to People of Colour; to New Canadians, and to Women. However, my belief is that I do not have the right to speak on behalf of any group that I am not a part of, as doing so takes away leadership roles from people in these movements.

Housing is a right. Housing Co-ops are the most economical and affordable, good solution to the housing crisis. A recent national, Abacus poll showed that 73% of Canadians say non-profit and co-op housing can help solve the housing crisis.

We need our members (folks living in co-ops) to advocate for co-op housing – we need to empower you to lobby not only federal, but municipal and provincial governments for more supports and resources. Our strength and our power is that we vote. This is the power of our movement.

We are the stewards of our homes, and so we must ensure they remain an enduring legacy for future generations. This can only be done if we have adequate resources to maintain our homes and that decision making remains with those of us living in co-ops.

I believe and am committed to ensure:

That our housing co-ops represent real people and not just structures.
That democratic control is maintained by people living in housing co-ops.
That more is needed to assist collaboration among our Atlantic Canadian housing co-ops and continue to build capacity among co-ops.
I will continue to bring my passion, creative thinking, plainspoken, collaboration, and my strong belief in our co-operative principles and values to the role of NS/NL Regional Director.

Some of my qualifications: previous CHF board experience; co-op leadership roles; library worker experience; activism in the queer community and as a trade unionist.

Recently I have taken on the role of co-chair with the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association 2SLGBTI working group. It is important that we continue to build links with other like-minded organizations.

As a proud member of High Hopes Housing Co-op in HRM, I want to continue the work to expand the co-op housing movement in Atlantic Canada.