Advocacy in action: Ontario Co-op Housing Day

Published November 07, 2024

On October 30, CHF Canada held our annual Co-op Housing Day at Queen’s Park. Together with regional co-op housing federations and members, we met with MPPs from across Ontario, from all four provincial parties, to talk about what’s needed to help co-ops thrive and build new co-op homes.

In our meetings, we outlined three key actions for the provincial government: 

1. Help housing co-ops thrive by improving how Ontario’s new service agreement framework is implemented, so co-ops can continue to access rental assistance programs while investing in much-needed repairs and maintenance
2. Protect renters by investing in a Community Housing Acquisition Fund, to help co-ops and non-profits purchase rental buildings when they are put on the market
3. Build at least 250,000 new co-op and non-profit homes by 2031, especially for Indigenous households

Read more in the briefing note that was shared with MPPs.

We had the opportunity to share stories of how co-ops are making a difference for the people who live there, and how co-op housing is key to solving Ontario’s housing crisis. CHF Canada will continue to advocate for our members and to grow and expand co-ops across Canada.

Meetings with Ontario MPPs

CHF Canada met with MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Housing  (Scarborough-Rouge Park).

Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT) and CHF Canada met with MPP Matt Rae, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Perth-Wellington.

CHFT and CHF Canada met with Marit Stiles, leader of the NDP and official opposition leader.

CHFT and CHF Canada met with MPP Jessica Bell, NDP Critic for Housing and MPP for University-Rosedale.

CHFT and CHF Canada met with MPP Adil Shamji, Liberal Critic for Housing and MPP for Don Valley East.

COCHF and CHF Canada met with MPP Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party and MPP for Guelph, and MPP Aislinn Clancy (Kitchener-Centre).

Peel Halton Regional Co-operative Housing Federation (PHCHF) and CHF Canada met with MPP Rudy Cuzzetto (Mississauga-Lakeshore).

CHF Canada met with MPP John Fraser (Ottawa South).

Golden Horseshoe Co-operative Housing Federation (GHCHF) met with MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls, Fort Erie & Niagara-on-the-Lake).

CHFT and CHF Canada met with MPP Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale-High Park).

CHF Canada met with MPP Peggy Sattler (London West).

GHCHF met with MPP Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain).

Reception

In the evening, we held a reception to continue conversations with MPPs and government staff, and were joined by other community housing advocates and representatives from sector organizations.