Lawyers

Geoffrey Dabbs was licensed as a lawyer in British Columbia in 1990 and has been actively involved in the housing co-op sector the entire time. His firm, Gehlen Dabbs – Lawyers, currently acts for a large number of housing co-operatives and related management and advisory organizations, advising on various issues, including rules and occupancy agreements and membership terminations and related litigation, as well as governance and financing.

Grant Haddock was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1992 and is the principle of Haddock & Company, Lawyers. Grant’s core areas of practice are co-operative housing law, strata property law, residential and commercial tenancy, human rights, privacy and construction law. Grant has acted for numerous housing providers and construction companies, appearing for them at all levels of court and at various tribunals. Grant has been a course leader and frequent speaker at educational conferences sponsored by industry leaders.

Moderator

Thom Armstrong is the chief executive officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, COHO Management Services Society, and the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC, all headquartered in Vancouver. He has held leadership positions in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia during more than 35 years of service in the co-operative housing movement. Armstrong also chairs the board of Encasa Financial Inc., a registered Investment Fund Manager for the capital reserves of Canada’s community housing sector.