About the Mahone Bay Community Land Co-operative

The purpose of Mahone Bay Community Land Co-operative is to expand and preserve the supply of
nonmarket housing by acquiring and converting land and/or buildings, and by fostering the development of new co-operative housing communities.

Our vision is a growing number of non-profit co-operative housing communities that provide secure
and healthy homes as a foundation for fulfilling lives.

MBCLC was incorporated in August 2022 under the Co-operative Associations Act in the Province of
Nova Scotia.

MBCLC is currently seeking opportunities to acquire land and/or buildings.

Learn more

Download and share these MBCLC infographics:
MBCLC Organizational structure, vision, and where to find out more MBCLC purpose, member benefits, mission, core values, and identity MBCLC FAQ part 1: What is MBCLC, is MBCLC new, and how many housing units does MBCLC have? MBCLC FAQ Part 2: membership and organizational structure MBCLC Mission and Vision MBCLC core values MBCLC infographic part 1: Mission, vision, identity, principles, values MBCLC infographic part 2: structure, and about housing co-ops

What is a housing co-op?

A resource from the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

Housing co-ops provide not-for profit housing for their members. From the curb, housing co-ops look like any other street address. The co-op difference is on the inside.

  • Housing co-ops are member-owned

    Housing co-ops are unique because they are owned and controlled by the members. They are non-profit and therefore monthly housing charges are designed to cover expenses with surpluses reinvested into the co-op.

  • Housing co-ops are a place to put down roots

    As long as you pay your monthly charges and uphold the other co-op rules, you can stay as long as you want.
Download the information sheet to learn more
What is a co-op? An information sheet from CHF Canada. Click to download the PDF

Board and Member information

Board Members

The Board of Directors consists of a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of ten (10) Members.  Directors are elected for a term of 2 years; arranged so that 50% of directors are elected each year.  A Director may serve a maximum of five (5) consecutive terms.

While practicing governance is the primary responsibility of the Board, their actions are ultimately supported by the decisions of the Members who elect them. The Board of Directors work together with staff and co-op Members as a team to ensure that good governance is carried out.

The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors at Mahone Bay Community Land
Co-operative (MBCLC):

The director roles are Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

Members

The Co-operative is limited by shares. Each Member must hold a minimum of five (5) shares. The share cost is ten dollars ($10.00) each and there will be no dividends paid on shares.

In Nova Scotia, when you move into a co-operative, you are given the opportunity to become a Member of that co-operative – Membership is optional.

MBCLC plans to consist of Resident Members and Non-resident Members once they have obtained housing units.

Resident Members are Members that live in one of MBCLC housing units. Individuals that live the MBCLC housing units may choose not to join Membership, or they may lose their Membership. The main reason Membership would be removed is due to non-payment of housing charges.

Non-resident Members that do not live in the co-op but chose to support MBCLC’s Strategic Plan and possess knowledge or expertise that is of benefit to the Co-op.

Individuals may chose to apply for Joint Membership. Joint Membership is Membership that is shared between two or more individuals that typically reside in the same household. If the Board approves Joint Membership only one person in the Joint Membership can vote. The voting person is decided by the Joint Members unless a Joint Member holder is elected to the Board, then the person elected to the Board will become the person that holds the privilege of voting.

The role of Members is incredibly important to the healthy functioning and governance of a housing co-operative – without the members, the co-op would have no one to serve.

MBCLC Members are responsible for:

  • choosing the directors

  • amending the co-op’s Bylaws and policies

  • making policies set by the members

  • approving operating budget

  • approving audited financial statements

  • appointing the auditor

  • adopting special resolutions

  • hearing appeals of membership terminations

MBCLC Members exercise good governance by:

  • following the co-op Bylaws and Policies

  • attending Members meetings

  • showing respect to other Members, the Board and consultants

  • paying housing charges on time and being a good neighbour (Resident Members)

Information on how to become a Member

If you are interested in becoming a Member of MBCLC please contact the Secretary, Katherine McCarron at mbclc@protonmail.com.

Articles of Incorporation

Download the Articles of Incorporation