EXPROPRIATION!

Our letter to the Board of Directors and Members

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Dear Members & Directors:

We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 15, 2010 re: Unit Allocation. Suffice to say that we find both the letter and the conditions stated therein very troublesome and totally unacceptable. This is not to suggest, however, that we are rejecting Unit XXX out of hand - we are not nor have we ever done so.

Nevertheless, the tone of your letter is brutal. It is demeaning, intimidating, and threatening. Such bullying is not acceptable anywhere in Canadian society and is against the law. It is quite out of place in any cooperative and especially in one we've called home for the past 20 years.

We raised our three children here. We have never been late with our housing charges (rent). We have participated regularly and tried to live up to both the spirit and the intent of the Bylaws and the seven Principles of Cooperation. This is the worst kind of bullying behaviour by those charged with the administration of my cooperative as it threatens my family's home without cause or reason. This is appalling behaviour from anyone, and especially so coming from those who administer a co-op and, presumably, pride themselves on their work in the cooperative sector.

As for the demands in your letter, they are quite unacceptable for several reasons, including:

1. The unreasonable demand for a reply by March 18, 2010, a mere two days hence.

2. Your letter stated that we must move by April 1st (two weeks from now). You also stated that the co-op would consider extending the move until April 15th. You stated that we will lose our Membership Rights in Seventy Days (May 31, 2010) if we do not comply. This is a completely ILLEGAL manipulation of the 70-day legal notice . The co-op cannot force a member to move within the 70 day notice. A member has a full 70 days within which to move.

3. Unit XXX presents safety hazards due to the obvious foundation leaks. The leaky basement could easily lead to electrocution. In addition the resulting damp basement supports molds which affect the health of occupants. The basement foundation must be repaired by qualified professionals.

4. A leaky basement puts all of our possessions stored there at risk of damage for which we would therefore have to try to claim insurance. I wonder how the insurance company would view the co-op's actions in refusing to repair the foundation?

5. The unit is now more than 20 years old. Heating ducts have not been cleaned in all that time and present a health hazard. The heating duct work must be cleaned.

6. The tile kitchen/hallway/powder room flooring is over 22 yrs. old, well past it due date. It is unsanitary and an eyesore. It needs to be changed.

7. Please note that my wife is having an operation in mid April and is unable now or for a period after her operation to move anywhere. As you know, I also have significant health problems and flexibility must be applied in any move to another unit.

Furthermore, you did not indicate in your letter dated March 15, 2010 which repairs, if any, have been done in Unit XXX. A request for the key to Unit XXX was emailed to you earlier this morning and receipt of the key would be appreciated at the earliest opportunity.

We thought and hoped that the election of a new Board last year would end the abuses, the tricks, manipulations and secrecy. We hoped it would lead to a new period of openness, trust and cooperation. Unfortunately, it appears that we were wrong as the abuse continues. Threatening to evict us on May 31, 2010 is absolutely despicable!

We hope, trust and expect a reply at your earliest opportunity.