Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

Émmanuelle Proud-Thomson Unified Saint John Housing Co-op click here for bio

Émmanuelle Proud-Thomson knows the challenges vulnerable people face. As a bilingual Senior Citizen Services Specialist with Service Canada, she works daily on creating projects and initiatives to help vulnerable Canadians access federal benefits and services. She brings this same passion and problem-solving approach to co-operative housing, advocating for low—to moderate-income individuals and working to get more co-ops built.

Émmanuelle has been the Board President of Unified Saint John Housing Co-operative (USJ) for the past four years, leading a thriving community of 294 co-op homes. Under her leadership, nine small co-ops in Saint John merged into a unified organization, increasing purchasing power, financial stability, and long-term sustainability. This strength has allowed USJ to partner with youth-serving agencies on a trauma-informed 14-unit housing project for homeless youth in Saint John.

For the past year, Émmanuelle has proudly served as the CHF Canada Board Representative for New Brunswick & PEI, ensuring that the voices of co-op members in the region are heard. She is committed to removing barriers to co-op development, working with developers, and advocating for policy changes that make co-operative housing more accessible.

Her past board experience includes Autism Speaks, the NB Arts Board, and the Welcome Committee of the Saint John Local Immigration Partnership. As a 2022 CHF Canada AGM panelist, she shared insights on co-op mergers and strengthening financial sustainability.

Émmanuelle is seeking re-election to the CHF Canada Board to continue advocating for co-op housing across NB & PEI, fostering a united movement, and working towards Co-operative Housing for All.

When she has downtime, Émmanuelle enjoys painting, creative upcycling, and spending time with family.

Don Goss High Hopes Housing Co-op, NS click here for bio

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

If you believe that we need a representative to CHF Canada that actually lives in one of the two provinces they seek to represent, I ask for your support. 

If you think we need someone who actually lives in a housing co-op to represent us, I ask for your co-op’s vote. This has not been our recent history.  

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.  

This is our time! I kindly ask for your support.

Angela Simpson Compass NS Co-operative Homes click here for bio

Angela is a founding Board member of Compass Nova Scotia and is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors. She raised her family in a Nova Scotia co-op where she was active an active member and served on the on the board of directors. She is a currently serving a one-year term as the regional director for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador on the CHF Canada board of directors. She previously served as the regional director for Nova Scotia.

Angela has a strong voice and is passionate about ensuring that housing cooperatives continue to be an affordable housing option especially during these uncertain economic times.
Angela credits the education she received attending local and national education events with her growth in the sector.

When asked what would make her a good choice for regional director she responded with, her ability to listen to others and use the knowledge gained from listening to make informed decisions regarding the governance of CHF Canada and its ability to best serve its members.

Angela feels that by living in cooperative housing, it kept her and her family from being homeless during a time in her life when she was struggling with depression. She is committed to ensuring that affordable at cost housing is available to those in need. Having some health issues herself she understands some of the struggles people face as they begin to age, from wanting to stay in your home and community, being able to make the home accessible and affordable while living on fixed incomes.

Angela works full-time in the tourism sector and has a background in construction. In her spare time, she enjoys the beach and going for walks and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Candidates

Regional Director

Ontario

New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island

Nova Scotia/Newfoundland and Labrador

Alberta/Northwest Territories

Director-At-Large

Finance and Audit Committee