Category: By-law Committee

Subtopic of Committees

Backyards and decks – what the bylaws say

Preamble:  Back yards and gardens had no structures in 1979. No decks, no patios. Just grass. Some members chose to build wood decks (with permission) and some put patio stones. Some did nothing. Any backyard construction and planting was done at the members’ own cost. The co-op looks for safety issues.

Summary of the bylaws about backyards and decks:

In the bylaws, yards are described as exterior private areas. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 4).

Members are responsible for reasonable maintenance of their yards. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 4.)

Members will be individually responsible for the cost of improvements or alterations to their units. (Maintenance Bylaw, Article 6 (a))

Decks are on the list of “previously approved renovations” by members.
(Maintenance Renovation Bylaw, A 10)

Decks may be installed, with approval (and restrictions).

ii) If at move-out time staff deems a deck to be unsafe or ill-built, the out­going member may be required to remove it.

iii) Patio stones or similar surfaces may be laid without approval.
(Maintenance Renovation Bylaw, Article 4)
Exception: Wilton Street patios (Article 4 d)

Maintenance Bylaw

4. Exterior Private Areas

(a) Yards

i) Members are responsible for reasonable maintenance of their yards.

ii) Members may not keep livestock in yards or allow refuse to accumulate in yards.

iii) Back gates must remain accessible to allow for entry by utility meter readers.

(b) Fences

i) Painting and staining of fences, gates, and outside wooden steps may be done only by the Co-op in order to maintain a uniform appearance. The cost will be borne by the Co-op.

ii) The Co-op will repair damaged fences. A fee will be charged if damaged by neglect or abuse.

6. Improvements By Members

(a) Members will be individually responsible for the cost of improvements or alterations to their units.

Maintenance Renovation Bylaw

General A 10.

The Co-op shall maintain a list of previously approved renovations, with plans where possible, so that members may duplicate alterations others had made. Members will be encouraged to report back to the Co-op their experience with renovations ­– e.g. what worked, what problems they encountered, etc., so that others may profit from their experience.

Previously Approved Renovations

– installation of dishwashers in townhouses

– removal of front hall cupboard in Albert Franck Units

– changes to cupboard under stairs in Albert Franck Units

– cutting pass-throughs in wall between kitchen and living/dining room

– renovation of basement space

– decks

4. Exterior Areas 

(c) Backyards

i) Decks may be installed, with approval, provided they do not involve any changes to the present deck structures (e.g. removal of railings, moving the steps, etc.) and providing the member does not intend to sink the supports in cement in the ground.

Decks may not be attached to the building, but may be attached to fences.

ii) If at move-out time staff deems a deck to be unsafe or ill-built, the out­going member may be required to remove it.

iii) Patio stones or similar surfaces may be laid without approval. [Rationale: The grass in the backyards rarely grows properly since the soil is so poor. It is not difficult or expensive to return to grass if the incoming member wishes to do so.]

iv) Trees may not be planted, removed or pruned, without permission from the Co-op.

(d) Wilton St. Patios

i) Patio stones may not be replaced or painted by members.

ii) Any structure which will protrude above the fence must be approved by the Co-op.

iii) Nothing may be mounted to the top of the medium rise patio wall.

Members on the ground floor of the medium rise are reminded that the lockstone surface of their rebuilt patios should not be disturbed.

Soil or plants should not be placed directly on the surface – self-contained planters must be used instead. Nothing should be placed over the drains.

It is important to avoid any activity that might damage layers below the lockstone – keeping this surface sealed is the whole point of the very expensive Podium Deck project.

Condition of a unit:

(A) Source: Move-Out Bylaw, Preamble

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Co-op’s expectations about move-out condition of units.

It is recognized that the buildings are getting older, and members will not be penalized for normal wear and tear.

Conversely, the Co-op will make every effort to ensure that units are in reasonably acceptable condition when members move in, but will not guarantee an “as new” condition.

(B) Source: Move-Out Bylaw, Article 7.2

The Co-op cannot restore a unit to its original condition, nor guarantee that a relocating member’s new unit will be in the same condition as the unit they are vacating.

Membership Bylaw: Member Approval and Unit Allocation #84 – Table of Contents

Member Approval and Unit Allocation #84

Passed by the Board of Directors on September 5, 2023
Confirmed by the Members on September 26, 2023 by a two-thirds majority
Amended by Membership Bylaw #89 (Articles 2.5 and 5.1.2)
Passed by the Board of Directors on August 20, 2024
Confirmed by the members on October 16, 2024 with a two-thirds majority

1.  About this bylaw

1.1.   Priority laws and Woodsworth bylaws
1.2.   Repeals
1.3.   Special Meanings
1.4.   Summary of Time Requirements

2.  Applying for membership

2.1.    Overview
2.1.1.  Aims of the application and membership approval process
2.1.2.  Fees
2.2.    Membership criteria
2.2.1.  Non Discrimination
2.3.    Overview of membership application requirements
2.3.1.  External applicants
2.3.2.  Internal applicants
2.3.3.  Long-term guests applying for membership
2.3.4. “Turning Sixteen’s” living with members
2.3.5.  Returning members applying as internal applicants
2.4.    Application forms
2.5.    Proof of income
2.6.    Credit and landlord check
2.7.    Membership Committee and Process

3.   Membership application refusals and appeals

3.1.    Grounds for refusal of membership
3.2.    Notifying the applicant
3.3.    Appeals about membership applications
3.4.    No appeal to the members
3.5.    Record of refusals of membership
3.6.    Re-applying after refusal

4.  Allocating units by waiting lists

4.1.   Alternating between internal and external waiting lists
4.2.   Qualifications for a unit

5. Internal waiting list for unit allocation

5.1.   Member’s right to apply to relocate in Woodsworth
5.1.1. Position on the internal waiting list
5.1.2. Restrictions on joining the internal waiting list
5.2.   Relocation requests with priority
5.2.1. Priority Internal Waiting List
5.2.2. Maintain number of units with housing charge subsidy
5.2.3. Transfers based on Occupancy Bylaw, Article 5.3 Damage by fire, etc.
5.2.4. Internal move requests that do not get priority on waiting lists
5.2.5. Waiving residency requirements
5.3.   Splitting a household
5.4.   No trading of units
5.5.    Role of staff in making offera
5.5.1. If member cannot be contacted it is considered a refusal
5.5.2. Notification of acceptance of a unit by applicant
5.5.3. Refusal of a unit (internal)
5.5.4. Refusal of a unit if required to move
5.5.5. Refusals for priority internal waiting list
5.5.6. Withdrawing acceptance
5.5.7. Moving date when relocating
5.5.8. Housing charges
5.5.9. Updating occupancy agreement

6. External waiting list for unit allocation

6.1.   Who is on the external waiting list
6.1.1. Housing charge subsidy
6.1.2. Position on the external waiting list
6.2.   Offers to applicants on the external waiting list
6.2.1. Offering a unit (external)
6.2.2. Notification of acceptance by external applicant
6.2.3. Special requests other than number of bedrooms
6.2.4. If an external applicant cannot be contacted
6.2.5. Refusal of units (external)
6.2.6. Deposits and charges
6.2.7. Signing an Occupancy Agreement
6.2.8. Moving date: taking occupancy in Woodsworth
6.3.   Withdrawal of Membership Approval

7. Appeal of waiting list decisions

7.1.    Right to Appeal about waiting lists
7.2.    Process for Appeal for the waiting list

8.   Moving out of the Co-op
9.   Wheelchair adapted units
10.  The Membership Committee

10.1.    About the Membership Committee
10.2.    Election
10.2.1.  Committee makeup
10.2.2.  Committee vacancies
10.3.    Committee organization
10.3.1.  Committee meetings
10.3.2.  Absence from committee meetings
10.4.    Confidentiality agreement
10.5.    Files
10.6.    Conflict of Interest
10.7.    Committee tasks
10.7.1.  Information sessions:
10.7.2.  Application forms:
10.7.3.  Membership Interviews
10.7.4.  Membership Decisions
10.7.5.  Management responsibilities

11.        No Liability

11.1.    Matters not addressed in this Bylaw
11.2.    Starting Date for this By-law

Schedules and Attachments

Schedule A: Membership and Unit Allocation Responsibilities

(i) The Membership Committee is responsible for
(ii) The manager is responsible for:
(iii) The Board of Directors is responsible for:

Schedule B:  Summary of Time Requirements
Schedule C:  Application Form for external members
Schedule D:  Application form for internal applicants Schedule E: Internal Relocation Application Form Schedule F:  Woodsworth’s Criteria Guideline for Priority Moves Attachment A: Membership Interview Questionnaire Attachment B: Interview Report for Directors and Management; Proof of Principal Residence

The full bylaw is available. It has a clickable table of contents.
Some of the attached forms are also in the Woodsworth forms.

Organizational Bylaw #83 – table of contents

Organizational Bylaw:
a bylaw about the governance of the co-op

Incorporating Bylaw 85: Electronic meetings and balloting by-law and Bylaw #87: Organizational Amending Bylaw

Table of Contents

 

1.  About This By-law

1.1  Older By-laws
1.2. Priority of this By-law
1.3. Laws that Apply to the Co-op
1.4. Special Meanings
1.5 Electronic Participation

2.   Membership

2.1. Membership
2.2. Qualifications for Membership
2.3. Applying for Membership
2.4. Financial Responsibility
2.5. Moving into the Co-op

3.   Calling Members’ Meetings

3.1  Annual General Members’ Meeting
3.2. Other Members’ Meetings
3.3. Notice of Members’ Meetings

4.   Holding Members’ Meetings

4.1  Agenda of Members’ Meetings
4.2. Authority of Members’ Meetings
4.3. Quorum at Members’ Meetings
4.4. Attendance by Non-Members
4.5. Minutes and Record of Attendance

5.   Procedure for Members’ Meetings

5.1. Chair
5.2. Rules of Order
5.3. Voting at Members’ Meetings
5.4. Majority Required

6.   Member Control

6..1. Co-op Act Requirements
6.2. Requisitions
6.3. Requisition to Put Something on the Agenda for a Members’ Meeting
6.4. Requisition to Pass a By-law or Directors’ Resolution
6.5. Requisition to Call a General Members’ Meeting
6.6. Requirements for All Requisitions

7.   Board of Directors

7.2  Number of Directors
7.3. Who Can be a Director
7.4. Term of Office
7.5. Director Term Limits

8.   Board, Committee, and Delegate Elections

8.1. Election Procedures
8.2. Election Meeting
8.3. Recount

9.   Role of the Board of Directors

9.1. Duties of Board of Directors
9.2. Committees and Staff
9.3. Powers of Individual Directors and Officers

10.    Standards for Directors

10.1. Standard of Care
10.2. Performance of Directors’ Duties

11..   Board Procedures

11.1. Board Meetings
11.2. Quorum at Board Meetings
11.3. Phone or Electronic Meetings
11.4. Resolutions in writing
11.5. Board Polls
11.6. Chair for Board meetings
11.7. Voting at Board meetings
11.8. Members, Staff and Guests at Board Meetings
11.9. Minutes of Board Meetings

12.   Early Ending of Directors’ Terms

12.1. Resignation of a Director
12.2  Removal of a Director
12.3. 1Vacancies on the Board of Directors

13.   Officers

13.1. Election of Officers
13.2. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement
13.3. Resignation of Officers
13.4. Removal of Officers

14.   Officers’ Duties

14.1. The President
14.2. The Vice-President
14.3  The Secretary
14.4. The Treasurer

15.   Membership in Federations

15.1. Membership in Federations
15.2. Members Elect
115.3. Federation Delegates
15.4. Expenses

16.   Staffing

16.1. Staffing the Co-op
16.2  Dealing with Staff
16.3  Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement
16.4. Staff Information

17.   Committees

17.1. Creating Committees
17.2. Committee Membership
17.3  Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement
17.4. Role of Committees

18.   No Payment of Directors and Officers

18.1. No Payment for Being a Director or Officer
18.2. No Other Payment to Directors or Officers
18.3. Authorized Expenses
18.4. Contracts with Co-op
18.5. One Year Gap
18.6. Management or Service Company Employee

19.   Conflict of Interest

19.1. Purpose of this Article
19.2. Understanding Conflict of Interest
19.3. What is Conflict of Interest?
19.4. Conflict Situations
19.5. Rules for Directors
19.6. Rules for Officers
19.7. Rules for Committee Members
19.8. Rules for Staff
19.9. Members’ Conflict of Interest
19.10 Proof

20.   Confidential Information

20.1  Co-op Confidentiality Policy
20.2. Kinds of Information
20.3. Basic Rules
20.4. Limiting Collection
20.5. Limiting Disclosure
20.6. Access to Personal Files and Accounts
20.7. Staff Access to Personnel Files

21.   Confidentiality Situations

21.1. Confidentiality of Minutes
21.2. No Recording of Meetings
21.3. Electronic Entry and Security Systems
21.4. Incidents

22.   Ensuring Privacy

22.1. Privacy Officer
22.2. Duties of the Privacy Officer
22.3. Limits on Privacy Officer

23.   Confidential Information Complaints

23.1. Making Complaints
23.2. Informal Action
23.3. Referral to Board
23.4. Investigating Complaints
23.5. Board Report
23.6. Board Action
23.7. Confidentiality of Complaint Process

24.   Financial

24.1. Major Commitments
24.2. Approval Process
24.3. Investment of Co-op Money
24.4. Financial Year
24.5. Auditor
24.6. Indemnification

25.   Signing on Behalf of the Co-op

25.1. Committing the Co-op
25.2. Board Approval
25.3. Signing
25.4. Staff Authority
25.5. Approval Motions

26.   Giving Notices

26.1. Scope of this Article
26.2. Notices
26.3. Notices to Co-op
26.4. Defects in Notice

Schedules

Schedule A: Rules of Order
Schedule B: Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement
Schedule C: Director’s Ethical Conduct Agreement
Schedule D: Co-signer Agreement
Schedule E: Consent Form for Directors for Sharing Information
Schedule F: Woodsworth Code of Conduct
Schedule G: Woodsworth Board Of Directors Nomination Form
Schedule H: Woodsworth Committee And Delegate Nomination Form

Find the Organizational Bylaw in the list of bylaws.

Occupancy Bylaw 82 – table of contents

Occupancy Bylaw:
A By-law about the rights and obligations of the co-op and the members

By-law No. 82

Passed by the Board of Directors on May 29, 2019 and June 26, 2019
Confirmed by the members on June 26, 2019 by a 2/3 majority

Article 6.2 on principal residence
Confirmed by members at a GMM on September 26, 2023 by a 2/3 majority

Amended by Occupancy Amending bylaw on electronic participation #88
Approved by the Board of Directors September 17, 2024
Confirmed by the members on October 16, 2024 by a 2/3 majority

Table of Contents

1.  About This By-Law

1.1  Introduction
1.2. Priority of this By-law
1.3. Repeals
1.4. Laws about Occupancy
1.5. Occupancy Agreement
1.6. Special Meanings
1.7. Summary of Time Requirements

2.     Members’ Rights

2.1   Use of a Unit and the Co-op’s Facilities

3.    Members’ Contributions

3.1  Housing Charges
3.2  Member Involvement
3.3  Payment of Housing Charges
3.4. Other Charges
3.5. Last Month’s Housing Charge Deposit and Maintenance Deposit
3.6  Housing Charges Are Per-Unit
3.7. Housing Charge Subsidy

4.   Setting Housing Charges

4.1. The Members Set the Full Monthly Housing Charges
4.2. Annual Budgets
4.3. Notice of Proposed Budget
4.4. Changes in Housing Charges
4.5. Mid-year Change in Housing Charges

6.   Members’ Units

5.1. Maintenance and Repair
5.2. Privacy (notice of entry)
5.3. Damage by Fire, etc.
5.4  Members’ Insurance

6.   Use of Units

6.1  Residences
6.2. Principal Residence (absence from units)
6.3  Related Uses (home businesses)
6.4. No Transfer of Membership or Occupancy Rights
6.5. No Profit from Unit
6.6. Co-op’s Insurance

7.    Behaviour

7.1. Prohibited Conduct
7.2. Human Rights
7.3. Violence
7.4. Domestic Violence
7.5. Return of Member
7.6. Explanations
7.7. Calling Police and Other Authorities
7. 8. Acts of Others

8.   Members’ Households and Guests

8.1. Basic Requirements
8.2. Addition of a Member
8.3. Turning Sixteen (16)
8.4. Long-term Guests
8.5. Casual Guests
8.6. Sub-Occupancy and Absence from Unit (sublet)
8.7. Evicted Persons

9.   Household Size

9.1. Purpose of Household Size Requirements
9.2. When Household Size Rules Apply (and don’t apply)
9.3. Occupancy standards
9.4. Not Meeting Minimum Household Size
9.5. Reporting Change in Household Size
9.6. Subsidized Households

10.   How Members Withdraw from the Co-op

10.1. Membership and Occupancy are Linked
10.2. Ending Membership and Occupancy
10.3. Part of Household Ends Membership and Occupancy
10.4. Death of a Member
10.5. Vacant or Abandoned Unit

11.   Dealing with Arrears

11.1. Eviction
11.2  Non-Payment and Late Payment
11.3. Replacement Payment
11.4. Late Payment and Failed Payment Charges
11.5. Directors in Arrears
11.6. Arrears Payment Agreements
11.7  Notice to Appear for Arrears or Persistent Late Payment

12.  Dealing with Problems

12.1. Eviction
12.2. Notice to Appear
12.3. Deciding to Give a Notice to Appear
12.4. Limits of Action by Co-op

13.   Eviction Procedures

13.1. Board Meeting on Notice to Appear

14.    Alternatives When Dealing with Problems

14.1. Alternatives to Eviction
14.2. Conditional Eviction Decisions
14.3. Performance Agreements
14.4. Information to Others
14.5. Non-Performance by Member
14.6. Authorization of Performance Agreements

15.   Appeals to Membership

15.1. When a Member Cannot Appeal
15.2. How to Appeal
15.3. Appeal Information
15.4. Procedure for Appeals at Members’ meetings

16.   Legal Action

16.1. Enforcing Eviction Decisions
16.2. Membership Rights on Eviction
16.3. Interest
16.4. Rights Not Cancelled
16.5. Co-op Costs

17.   Miscellaneous

17.1. Personal Information to Membership
17.2. Legal Actions by Members
17.3. External Complaints
17.4. Co-op Employees
17.5. Non-Member Units
17.6. Non-Members in a Member Unit
17.7. Proof
17.8. Serving Documents
17.9. Signing Schedules for Co-op
17.10  Minor Errors, Omissions or Irregularities
17.11. Starting Date for this By-law

18.   Electronic Participation

18.1 Electronic participation
18.2 Continuing a meeting on a Notice to Appear

Schedules and Attachments

Schedule A: Occupancy Agreement
Appendix A: Member Charges
Appendix B: Household Members
Appendix C: Housing Charge Subsidy Terms and Agreement
Appendix D: Special Needs Unit Terms
Schedule B: Long-term Guest Agreement
Schedule C: Sub-Occupancy Agreement
Schedule D: Notice to Appear for Arrears
Schedule E: Notice to Appear
Schedule F: Board of Directors’ Eviction Decision for Arrears
Schedule G: Board of Directors’ Eviction Decision
Schedule H: Notice of Eviction Decision for Arrears
Schedule I: Notice of Eviction Decision
Schedule J: Performance Agreement Arrears
Schedule K: Performance Agreement
Attachment A: Summary of Time Requirements and Examples

Find the Occupancy Bylaw in the list of bylaws.

Addressing bylaw breaches: relevant provisions and possible actions by the co-op

From the Organizational, Occupancy and Spending Bylaws

This guide summarizes key bylaw provisions and the procedures that may apply in response to bylaw breaches and problems. It covers topics such as conflicts of interest, conduct, confidentiality, privacy, occupancy, and other related matters. It is intended as a reference only and does not replace the full bylaws.

  1. Conflict of interest rules
  2. Directors and officers
  3. Confidentiality
  4. Ethical conduct
  5. Spending and contracts
  6. Privacy officer
  7. Co-op responsibilities
  8. Dealing with arrears, prohibited conduct, domestic violence, eviction
  9. Maintenance bylaws – Moving into and around Woodsworth

1. Conflict of interest rules

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 19)

The rules in this article are to help avoid conflicts of interest and to have fair ways to deal with them. They apply in addition to the requirements of the Co-op Act and other legal and government requirements.

(Source: Organizational Bylaw, Article 19.10)

Members, directors, and staff must avoid situations where personal interests could interfere with their co-op duties.

1.1  Manageable and prohibited conflicts

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 19.4)

Rules for directors, officers, committee members, staff.

1.2. Members’ Conflict of Interest

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 19.9)

At members’ meetings, all members can discuss and vote as they wish, even if they have a conflict of
interest. Members are encouraged to declare the conflict of interest before taking part in the discussion.
Members should try to act in the best interests of the co-op as a whole

1. 3   What the Board can do – proof

The Board may ask for documents or proof to confirm compliance.
People must fully cooperate and provide requested information.

Important

Refusing or failing to provide information may be treated as a bylaw violation.
It may also be taken as evidence of non-compliance.

1.4  Organizational Bylaw, Schedule B: Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement

Agreement to be signed by directors, officers, committee members and staff member sof the co-op.

2. Directors and Officers

2.1  Standards for Directors

(Organizational Bylaw Articles 10.1 and 10.2. Standard of Care and Performance of Directors’ Duties)

Standards of care required for a director are stated in the Co-op Act and other laws. A director must
act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the co-op rather than in the director’s personal interest, and ïo use the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent person.

2.2. Performance of Directors’ Duties

Each director must

  • attend all board and members’ meetings unless excused by the board based on advance notice of
  • absence or later information if advance notice was not possible
  • prepare for all meetings
  • comply with the co-op by-laws and with board decisions, and
  • comply with the Directors’ Ethical Conduct Agreement and the Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement.


2.3  Removing a Director

Section 12.2 deals with removing a director. When a director is also an officer, removal as a director automatically includes removal as an officer.

(Source: Organizational Bylaw, Article 12.2)

A director can be removed in several ways:

By Members

Members can vote to remove a director at a general meeting
Written notice must be given in advance
A majority vote is required

By Board Recommendation

The Board may recommend removal if a director:

  • Does not meet expected standards
  • Fails to carry out duties

Process includes:

Written notice to the director (at least 10 days)
The director can attend and speak
The Board votes without the director present
Members make the final decision

Temporary Restrictions

If removal is recommended:
The director cannot attend Board meetings
They do not count toward quorum
They do not receive Board documents

Immediate Removal

A director with a serious conflict of interest can be removed immediately by the Board without member approval.

2.4  Removing an officer

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 13.4)

The Board can remove officers at any time.At least 3 days’ written notice must be given. The officer can attend and speak at the meeting. The Board votes without the officer present. A replacement can be appointed right away.

3. Confidentiality

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 20.5 Limiting disclosure)

3.1  What must be kept private

  • Board matters
  • Personal information
  • Sensitive co-op information

3.2. Key rules

Everyone must keep confidential information private, even after leaving the co-op or their role
It does not matter how the information was obtained

3.3. Breaking confidentiality

(Organizational Bylaw, Article 20.5 (c))

Unauthorized disclosure can lead to:

  • Eviction
  • Removal from the Board
  • Job termination
  • Legal action

The Board considers:

  • How sensitive the information is
  • How serious or repeated the breach is
  • Who was affected

4. Ethical conduct

(Organizational Bylaw, Schedule C: Director’s Ethical Conduct Agreement)

Directors must follow an ethical conduct agreement.
Breaking it may lead to removal from the Board.

5. Spending and contracts

5.1. No personal benefit: about conflict of interest

(Spending Bylaw, Article 3.1)

No person may initiate, approve or take part in any decision regarding an expense, purchase
or contract, where the person benefits in a way that is not available to other members. In such
circumstances, members must follow the conflict of interest articles in the Organizational By-
law (Article 19).

Individual members, staff and committees of the Co-op may not authorize expenditures or
otherwise make financial commitments on behalf of the Co-op unless the board has given
them explicit authority to do so. See Organizational Bylaw Article 17.4 Committees.

Spending will also follow the Occupancy Bylaw (Article 17.4, Co-op employees) and the Orga-
nizational Bylaw (Article 18, No Payment of directors or officers).

5.2. Important contract rules – Article 11.4 (c)

Large contracts must allow the co-op to cancel if conflict-of-interest rules are broken.
Contracts do not renew automatically.

5.3. Bidding rules

(Spending Bylaw, Article 11.4. Bids and quotes: rules for all spending except routine or non-discretionary)

Anyone involved in bids must sign confidentiality agreements.
Extra forms may be required for compliance.

(Spending Bylaw: Attachment A: Confidentiality Agreement – Bids and contracts)

6. Privacy officer

(Organizational Bylaw Article 22)

The Board appoints a Privacy Officer (PIPEDA).
The Privacy Officer helps ensure privacy laws are followed.
They advise on privacy issues but:
– Do not manage staff
– Do not make spending decisions

7. Co-op responsibilities

(Occupancy Bylaw, Articles 7.6, 7.7)

7.1  Behaviour and enforcement

The co-op may respond to complaints like harassment, violence, or other rule-breaking.
The co-op is not required to act in every case, but will assess each situation carefully.
Police or outside agencies may be contacted when needed.
Criticism of the co-op (if reasonable and respectful) is not harassment.

7.2  Human Rights

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 7.2)

Co-op members must respect the human rights of other members of these communities. Co-op members must obey the Ontario Human Rights Code and not do anything that would discriminate against or harass any other member of these communities in a way that would breach the Human Rights Code. Co-op members must strive for an environment at the co-op that is fair, inclusive and respectful of people’s dignity.

(Human Rights Bylaw, Article 3)

The co-op will deal with complaints about a breach of Human Rights By-law as stated in this By-law. The board of directors will deal with situations that it becomes aware of whether or not there is a specific complaint, but where there are reasonable grounds to believe a breach of the By-law has occurred.

7.3  Responsibility for others

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 7.8)

Members are responsible for:

  • People living in their household
  • Guests they invite or allow on co-op property

If they break rules:

  • The member may face consequences.
  • The member may be responsible for damage or eviction outcomes.

7.4  Proof of compliance with bylaws or policies

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 17.7)

Members may be asked to show proof of:

  • Living in their unit as a primary residence
  • Household income or composition (if required)
  • Guest or sub-occupancy arrangements
  • Other compliance matters

If members do not provide proof:
It may be treated as non-compliance

8.  Dealing with arrears, prohibited conduct, domestic violence, eviction

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 11, Dealing with arrears)

8.1  The board of directors can evict a member if the member owes housing charges to the co-op. Non-payment, late payment, persistent late payment, advance notice of lateness, replacement of payment, arrears payment agreements.

8.2  Directors and arrears

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 11.5 No director arrears)

A director must not owe any money to the co-op other than future payments for a member deposit. A director must have a signed payment agreement for these payments.

8.3.  Prohibited conduct

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 7.1. Prohibited conduct)

The co-op is a community which includes all the residents, visitors and staff. It is also part of the larger neighbourhood community. Co-op members must not harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten or interfere with any other member of these communities. Co-op members must not make or allow any noise, nuisance or other act that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with any other member of these communities. Co-op members must not commit any illegal act in their units or on co-op property.

8.4. Violence

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 7.3. Violence)

Co-op members must not commit violence against any other member of these communities. Violence can be real or threatened. Violence can be physical, psychological or sexual. Child abuse is a kind of violence. Violence against another person in the same household is domestic violence.

8.5. Domestic violence

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 7.4. Domestic violence not tolerated)

The co-op does not tolerate domestic violence. It will try to assist victims of domestic violence. Members who engage in domestic violence may be evicted.

8.6. Eviction

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 12.1. Eviction)

The board of directors can evict a member if the member has broken the by-laws in a way the board considers serious or someone the member is responsible for under the by-laws has done so. This includes repeated serious breaches of the by-laws even if the situation was corrected after notice was given.

8.7. Alternatives when dealing with problems

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 14)

The board of directors can take steps to deal with issues without eviction. These could happen after a Notice to Appear was issued or without a Notice to Appear. Some examples are:

  • mediation, which could be paid for by the co-op
  • limiting access by a member or another person to the co-op staff or office or other parts of co-op property or requiring different ways of access
  • limiting or prohibiting access by non-residents to co-op property
  • limiting contact between certain households or household members
  • sending a warning letter
  • signing an arrears payment agreement
  • signing a performance agreement
  • having a conditional eviction decision

8.8  Guideline for Prohibited Conduct

At its August 19, 2020 meeting, the Board approved a guideline to address prohibited conduct, recognizing that some situations require responses other than eviction. The guideline draws on provisions from CHFC’s model Occupancy Bylaw (version 2) that are not currently included in the co-op’s Occupancy Bylaw. It provides additional tools for addressing problematic behaviour, including measures such as issuing no-trespass notices.

Guideline for Prohibited Conduct: Board policy 2020

8.9  Co-op action limits

(Occupancy Bylaw, Article 12.4. Limits of Action by Co-op)

The co-op is not required to take action in every situation.
The Board considers evidence, fairness, and cost before acting.
The co-op is generally not responsible for misconduct by members or guests unless acting officially.

9.  Maintenance bylaws – Moving into and around Woodsworth

Woodsworth has bylaws and polices related to what members can and cannot do to their units. The bylaws also include about expected condition on moves and charging members for damage or unapproved renovations. This document is a guide to finding the information in the Maintenance, Move-Out, and Maintenance Renovation Bylaws.

Maintenance; Moving into and around Woodsworth: a guide to bylaws and policies

Sources:

Human Rights Bylaw

Occupancy Bylaw

Organizational Bylaw

Spending Bylaw

June 14, 2026