Logo - CHF Canada

Harvey Cooper set to retire as Deputy Executive Director

Published March 31, 2020

CHF Canada wishes to inform our members and partners that long-time co-operator Harvey Cooper will retire from the position of CHF Canada Deputy Executive Director, effective August 31, 2020.

“Harvey’s commitment to co-operative housing spans over 40 years and has touched all parts of our movement,” said Tim Ross, CHF Canada’s Executive Director. “His relentless positivity, strong member relations and effective advocacy have been critical to our pursuit of CHF Canada’s mission to inspire, represent and serve our members in a united co-operative housing movement.”

Harvey Cooper joined CHF Canada in August 1996 following the merger of CHF Canada and the Co-operative Housing Association of Ontario, where he worked since 1991. Throughout his tenure, Harvey has held vital roles in member relations, co-op services, government relations, as Managing Director of CHF Canada’s Ontario Region, and most recently as Deputy Executive Director.

He was one of the main architects behind the federal You Hold the Key campaign to protect housing co-operatives along with many other significant political campaigns for CHF Canada’s members.  At Ontario’s Queen’s Park in particular, Harvey has been an articulate, trustworthy and effective co-op advocate to representatives from all political stripes.

“Harvey’s achieved great success in helping all political leaders understand and support our sector’s needs,” said CHF Canada Ontario Council President David McFarlane. “On behalf of our movement, thank you, Harvey.  We wish you nothing but happiness as you move to this new chapter of your life.”

Harvey noted, “I feel privileged to have worked for most of my career in the co-operative housing sector, where people are actively engaged and make decisions collectively about the housing communities that they live in.”

Mr. Cooper first shared his plans in early March, and CHF Canada has been working with him to plan for an effective transition. Following his retirement from the position of Deputy Executive Director, Harvey will assume a part-time role as Special Advisor to CHF Canada.

For more information, please email Tim Ross at tross@chfcanada.coop.


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