My name is Monica Taylor, my life is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, my values were shaped by a rich cultural heritage and challenges of everyday life. These early experiences instilled in me with a strong spirit of perseverance that continues to guide my personal and professional journey.

In April 2005, I immigrated to Canada, beginning a new chapter filled with opportunity and growth. Arriving just as winter was yielding to spring. I embraced the transition as a symbol of renewal. Canada quickly became home, a place of stability, blessings and personal fulfillment centered around raising my two beloved sons, who remain the pride and joy of my life.

I have channeled my passion for helping others into a meaningful career in healthcare administration. Shortly after arriving in Canada, I earned a Healthcare Aide certification in 2005. Seeking to broaden my impact, I returned to college in 2006 to specialize in Medical Administrative Assistant and graduating in 2007. I found a professional home at Carewest, where I have been serving as an Administrative Secretary in the Seating Clinic Department for over 18 years. In 2017, I expanded my expertise by studying Health Information Management. My work is more than a job; it is a passion. I take pride in being a vital link connecting clients, clinical staff, and services, contributing patient well-being through strong organization, effective communication and professionalism.

My dedication to service extends beyond my career into community leadership and cooperative governance. I moved to Springhill Ranch Coop Housing in October 2012 when I had my second son. In 2013, I joined the Springhill Ranch Board serving impactful terms as Vice Chair. I then returned to the board in 2021, first serving as secretary, and later resuming the role as Vice Chair. My leadership journey continued with the Southern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association (SACHA) Board, where I currently serve as Vice Chair. Guided by cooperative values, I strive to help create safe, well-governed, and supportive communities where members feel valued and heard. “Coop a better place to live”. I bring a strong dedication to service, compassion for others, and a genuine interest in building supportive communities. My background in healthcare administration, combined with my leadership experience and commitment to cooperative values, makes me an asset to any board.

Faith plays a central role in my life. A devoted Catholic serving as a Eucharistic Minister and an active member of the Catholic Women’s League. In December 2025 I was honored with a 20-year service pin in recognition of my dedication to volunteer service. Outside of work and community involvement, I enjoy cooking, travelling, fashion, dance, and exploring new cultures. I love watching movies and television shows. I consider myself a dedicated professional, community leader, and a compassionate individual. My journey from Sierra Leone to Canada reflects a deep commitment to service, faith and building a better world wherever I am called to serve.

https://youtube.com/shorts/jcBL_iOP4qg?feature=share

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Lee’s understanding of housing, safety, affordability, and community was fundamentally reshaped in 2017 when they moved into a housing co-op. What began as a search for stable housing became a shift in purpose. That experience ignited a deep and lasting commitment to the co-operative housing sector and to the belief that safe, affordable housing is not a privilege, but a human right, and the cornerstone of thriving communities.

As an At-Large Director on the CHF Canada’s Board of Directors, and former Chair of its Nominations Committee (2024–2025), Lee is committed to strengthening governance while boldly advocating at the highest levels of government. They believe in lobbying as a federation—ensuring that policies and programs to develop new co-op housing stock and sustain existing communities are not only proposed but demanded.

As a queer, non-binary trans, neurodivergent individual with a hearing impairment, Lee understands firsthand the power of representation. Lee is the President of Rainbow Grove Housing Co-op, a new pre-development initiative committed to building inclusive, sustainable, community-governed housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ members in Nova Scotia.

Previously, Lee was an active member of Needham Housing Co-op, serving on the Grant Writing Committee, and Chair of High Hopes Housing Co-op Growth & Planning Committee, where they focused on work designed to create long-term sustainability. They also serve as Co-Chair of the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Housing Network and as a CHF Canada Co-operators Insurance Atlantic Delegate and Alternate Chairperson of the Co-operators Insurance Atlantic Region Committee.

Through this work, Lee centers co-operative values, fiscal and social responsibility, and good governance to ensure longevity in our sector. They advocate for systemic change, diverse representation, and a culture of care, mutual respect, and resilience - always grounded in respect for the land on which we live, work, and play.

Professionally, Lee has more than 15 years of experience in legal and health care administration and currently works as an Intake Coordinator with Continuing Care Nova Scotia. Alongside their professional commitments, they are pursuing studies in the Social Work program at Dalhousie University, balancing academic rigor, parenting, and deep community involvement with determination and heart.

Lee was thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to CHF Canada’s newest strategic planning process and is motivated to carry this ambitious work forward over the next three years. They look forward to helping advance CHF Canada’s goals during an exciting and unprecedented period for co-operative housing in Canada, building on the momentum we have created and supporting a strong future for the sector.

Lee’s leadership is bold, values-driven, and unapologetically vocal. They are here to amplify voices, challenge systems, govern soundly and help build a co-operative housing movement that is equitable, inclusive, and impossible to ignore and they would be grateful to receive your support.

https://youtu.be/SCZkd8cN6As 

Greetings from Misty Ridge Co-op on Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby B.C. I’m John Bathurst. My partner Pat and I are original members of Misty Ridge where we raised our three children and participated in the governance of our co-op.

My passion for co-op housing started before I experienced living in a co-op. As the son-in-law of Shirley Schmid, who can be credited with being involved in the development of 74 housing co-ops, I listened to many stories about the creation of co-ops in BC. with the vision that housing is a fundamental human right and that co-ops can and should be more than simply housing but rather decent, affordable homes within safe and caring communities. This vision continues to inspire me.

The last three years I have had the privilege of represent you, CHF Canada members on our national board. All three of my years I have served as treasurer, monitoring the finances of our well-run organization. Other committees I have been involved in include the nominations, the awards and the CEO HR committees.

Three years ago, I made one promise and that was to show up at all meetings and bring my background experience to the table. I am proud to say that promise has been honored.

A glimpse of my life’s experiences includes many volunteer positions, serving on the parks and recreation commission and city council in Port Alberni, where we owned and operated a thriving Fish and Chip restaurant. Family needs necessitated our move to Burnaby almost 40 years ago. Here I operated a contracting business until I retired.

I served a term on the CHFBC board and have been on the Aging in Place Committee for many years. Here at Misty Ridge, I have served on our board, maintenance committee and a major renovation adhoc committee to name a few.

The last three years serving as one of your directors, we have worked hard on several issues, most notably a strategic vision for the coming years. I would love to have the opportunity to continue the work implementing the plan. It is my intent is to encourage and mentor your next treasurer and continue serving on the finance committee.

Your vote to allow me to continue this work will be much appreciated. I invite you to question me directly on issues you may have. Either by email johnebathurst@gmail.com or text/phone 604 831-1384.

https://youtu.be/719-jt-9H0A