FOUR RECENT LEGAL CHANGES EVERY ONTARIO CO-OP MANAGER NEEDS TO KNOW:

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  The first four articles are on issues that have surfaced over the summer. They all affect housing co‑ops.

The last article is for co‑op staff. Take advantage of the support that The Staff Network offers you!

NEW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGULATIONS RE: NOTICE TO VACATE

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  There are changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), effective September 6, 2016.

The Act allows a victim of sexual violence to give short notice (28 days) to terminate their tenancy in order to minimize financial hardship and to quickly leave an unsafe living arrangement. The Act also imposes serious consequences to ensure landlords keep this information confidential.

What does this mean for co‑ops?

Housing co‑ops are governed by the Co‑op Corporations Act (CCA), not the RTA. Except for co‑ops with non-member tenants, co‑ops are not legally bound to follow these changes.

The co‑op housing sector has always been at the forefront of keeping victims of sexual violence safe, with domestic violence-free zones and occupancy bylaw provisions for evicting offenders. Provision 10.3 in the Model Occupancy By-law already allows a part of a household to quickly end membership and occupancy.

We expect many co‑ops will now want to implement procedures to reflect the new changes. Co‑ops may choose to:

• waive the notice period if they feel the circumstances warrant leniency,
• add a provision to its Occupancy By-law (included in upcoming minor updates of the Model Occupancy By-law) OR
• seek legal advice when a member gives short notice due to sexual violence or harassment within the unit.

For more info, please contact Dawn Richardson, Keith Moyer or Peter Gesiarz at the Ontario Region office at 1-800-268-2537.

In southwestern Ontario, contact Denise McGahan, 1-800-644-3949.

DOES YOUR CO‑OP HAVE NON-MEMBER TENANTS? READ THE PROVINCIAL BACKGROUNDER.

CHF CANADA WORKING TO CORRECT FSCO FINDINGS

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  Recently the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) published the results of last fall�s mandatory survey of Ontario�s co‑ops. The results suggest that a number of co‑ops in Ontario either didn�t respond or are inactive.

The survey was an attempt to update FSCO records on Ontario co‑ops. CHF Canada's Ontario Region does not support FSCO�s decision to create a mandatory survey of co‑ops; the Province doesn�t issue mandatory surveys of traditional business types. However, we encourage our members to respond to the survey because it is within FSCO�s rights to conduct a mandatory survey as the regulator for all co‑ops in Ontario.

The Ontario Region examined FSCO�s results and found around 10% of housing co‑ops inaccurately listed. We�ve received some calls from concerned members because FSCO stated their intention to �dissolve� or �cancel� inactive co‑ops.

What does this mean for our co‑op?

• Be assured that your co‑op is not about to be dissolved if your co‑op is listed as �status unconfirmed� or �inactive�. On Co‑op and CHF Canada are actively working with FSCO and the Ministry of Finance to resolve the issue.
• FSCO has said they�ll take several steps including reaching out to the co‑op again, and are working with co‑op associations like CHF Canada before dissolving any co‑ops.

To check your FSCO status, see sidebar.

Any further questions, contact Simone Swail at 1-800-268-2537, ext. 223.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Check the FSCO status of your co-op and ensure you�re listed as active.
• If your co‑op is inaccurately listed, request they update their records.

CHANGES TO AODA STANDARDS: NEW RESOURCE

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  Amendments to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) took effect on July 1, 2016.

CHF Canada created a new resource to assist member co‑ops update their policies to be in compliance with the amended AODA: Fact Sheet: How changes to AODA affect Ontario�s housing co-ops.

What does it mean for our co‑op?

The Fact Sheet breaks down the AODA changes in the following categories:

• Training
• Service animals
• Support persons
• Accessible documents

For more info, please contact Peter Gesiarz, Keith Moyer or Dawn Richardson at the Ontario Region office at 1-800-268-2537.

In southwestern Ontario, contact Denise McGahan, 1-800-644-3949.

YOU CAN FIND THIS AND OTHER RESOURCES ON THE AODA SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE.

DRUG ELIGIBILITY CARD BEING PHASED OUT

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  Ontario is changing the way individuals in receipt of social assistance access their drug benefits. The drug eligibility card will be phased out.

What does this mean for co‑op housing staff?

When calculating RGI, co‑op housing staff sometimes use the info on drug eligibility cards to make an accurate calculation.

Before phasing them out, the Ministry of Community and Social Services will develop a new document for housing providers when determining RGI subsidies. This document will confirm the name and number of eligible beneficiaries in receipt of social assistance in a household. Stay tuned.

What does this mean for co‑op members receiving social assistance?

The change will not affect their RGI assistance or their drug coverage. For more info, see sidebar.

For more info, please contact Peter Gesiarz, Keith Moyer or Dawn Richardson at the Ontario Region office at 1-800-268-2537.

In southwestern Ontario, contact Denise McGahan, 1-800-644-3949.

PRINTABLE RESOURCE FOR MEMBERS ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

CONNECT WITH FELLOW CO-OP STAFF

(This story was sent only to subscribers in ON.)  Co‑op housing staff � you are not alone! If you have a question, a colleague is likely wondering the same thing. If you�re dealing with an issue, someone else has been in your shoes.

The Staff Network was created just for you. The Discussion Forums are a place to ask questions or share ideas on tackling the challenges of managing a non-profit housing co‑op. The site also has helpful links, practical advice and timesaving sample documents.

What are you waiting for? To join the forums, register now!

CHF Canada is pleased to provide financial support for The Staff Network, a site for those in- or interested in- a co‑op housing career. Sponsored by the Ontario Co‑op Housing Staff Associations Network: CASO, CSACO, CHCHNA and CoAction.

We are sending this eALERT to the e-mail address that we have on record for all Ontario co-ops that are CHF Canada members. If you prefer to receive eALERT in French, or if you do not want to receive future issues, please send us an e-mail. For further information, please contact Moira Dunphy.