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New bill permanently gives Ontario co-ops the option to hold virtual meetings

Published April 19, 2023

A person with long hair is on a Zoom meeting, with three other people shown on the callOn April 2, the province introduced new legislation, the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023, that would permanently give housing co-ops the option to hold virtual or hybrid meetings.

CHF Canada began advocating for permanent changes to allow virtual meetings in 2021, after hearing from many members that virtual meetings, first allowed as part of the emergency response to COVID-19, were welcome and making it easier for co-op members to participate.

In the past few years, we have engaged in numerous consultations with the government to ensure that the permanent changes to the Co-operative Corporations Act (CCA) improve member participation and allow for more effective and efficient business practices, while balancing the need for clear rules, fairness, and privacy.

Once this legislation is passed, the new rules would come into effect October 1, 2023. Co-ops will need to amend their by-laws to allow for virtual or hybrid meetings after this date. CHF Canada is developing an amendment to the Organizational By-law that will address this, as well as a more detailed analysis of what will or will not be possible under these new rules. Members should watch for the release of the amendment and analysis on our website and in eNEWS this summer.


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