By Kenzie Love
CWCF held our 2025 AGM on November 19-20, and as always, it was an important exercise in fulfilling our commitment to the second co-operative principle of democratic member control.
We received reports from the Co-Presidents and Executive Director, both of which can be read in CWCF’s Annual Report.
CWCF’s Treasurer, Kelly Storie, shared our Audited Financial Statements, and Bishop and Company was reappointed to serve as CWCF’s auditor.
The CWCF 2025-26 budget was also presented to the membership, highlighting a projected deficit in CWCF operations to be covered by drawing $133,000 from reserves. In response to a question about this, the Treasurer confirmed there are plans for multi-year budgeting to address long-term financial sustainability and get the Federation back to break-even budgets.
A late resolution was submitted by Marcus Peters of New Roots Worker Co-op calling on CWCF to undertake a public-facing campaign to build large-scale support for a generational investment in worker cooperatives. Delegates were generally supportive of the resolution, and after some discussion, it was approved. Per the policy on late resolutions, it isn’t a binding resolution, however it’s a recommendation that the board will take seriously.
Following the passage of the resolution, the election process began for two open seats on the CWCF Board of Directors, in the Atlantic and Prairies/NWT/Nunavut regions. Nominations had been open for both seats in the weeks preceding the AGM, and the call for nominations was repeated at the AGM. There were three candidates nominated for the Atlantic seat, and one candidate for the Prairies/NWT/Nunavut seat.
The elections were held the following morning. Morteza (Maurice) Amiri of Expertise Hub Worker Co-operative was elected to a first term as director for the Atlantic region, while co-op developer Marty Meyer was acclaimed for the Prairies/NWT/Nunavut region. Directors Reba Plummer and Tara Williams thanked outgoing board members Evan Proven and Leslie Brown for all they gave to the board during their mandates. Executive Director Hazel Corcoran was also recognized for her 30 years of service in this position.
The meeting concluded with a call for volunteers for CWCF’s conference planning committee and nominating committee. Anyone interested in serving on these committees should contact Hazel Corcoran.
In the week following the AGM, the board reorganization meeting was held. Congratulations to CWCF’s Co-Presidents Tara Williams and Martin Van Den Borre, Vice President Reba Plummer, and Treasurer Kelly Storie.
We wish to thank our sponsors for their support of our Conference and AGM: major sponsors: Cooperators, and Vancity, as well as the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, La Siembra, Saint Mary’s University International Centre for Co-operative Management,Iler Campbell LLP, Co-operatives First, Multicultural Health Brokers and Old Town Glassworks.
CWCF’s next AGM will be held online in November, 2026. We hope to see you there!