While we support The Weekly, we feel that it is important that Woodsworthians have more than one venue in which to share our thoughts.
Among other things, the editors of The Weekly can be commended for holding Members accountable by requiring that the names of authors be published. Woodsworth Voices is intended to be a safe space in which Members can share their thoughts anonymously, without fear of retribution.
The reader will notice my name (Michael) a lot. I have chosen to not be anonymous.
I Feel Stonewalled by Michael March 18, 2026
I wrote a letter with the intention of printing hard copies and delivering them to every unit at Woodsworth Co-op. With a fear of being attacked, I decided to not do so. Subsequently, I decided to publish the letter here at Woodsworth Voices.
On March 11, 2026, I sent an email to our Editorial Committee with an invitation for them to comment before my publication of said letter. Our Editorial Committee sent a very lengthy reply.
Normally, Woodsworth Voices only redacts specific identifying information. However, due to the potentially confusing nature of the many words, sentences, and paragraphs from our Editorial Committee, I have made many redactions. The reader might be able to discern, or guess, the intentions of the authors. I understand that this might be onerous. I trust that the reader will know that I have also found this to be a difficult process.
Our Internal Waiting List by Michael February 19, 2026
On April 4, 2025, one of our employees in our office wrote the following to me: "Our policy is that we do not disclose members' position on the internal waitlist."
On April 7, 2025, one of our employees in our office wrote the following to me: "While there may have been a communal copy of the internal waitlist in the past, Management is no longer providing this to members. Management is also not accepting inquiries regarding members' position on the internal waitlist. All of the Co-ops waitlists are administered at the discretion of Management in accordance with the Co-ops Bylaws."
For many years, we have allowed our employees to chip away at our access to our knowledge.
In the past, we were able to see discernible information on our Internal Waiting List. It has been suggested that it is for privacy reasons that we can no longer provide this to ourselves. As co-owners of a multi-million-dollar corporation, we have the right and the responsibility to know what is happening.
An anonymous contributor to The Weekly (Jan. 25, 2026) wrote the following:
"Internal Escalations If you have an escalation (regarding the property manager or another issue for which no resolution has been reached) contact the Board, and specify that it is an escalation requiring action."
In this context, I object to the word "escalation". When I write to the Board, it's because I need their help. In my opinion, asking the Board for help should never be a request to escalate a perceived problem.
A potential complication of this new process is that it could put the onus on a Member to be one of the creators of a perceived obstacle. Every Member should have the right to appeal to our staff and/or our Board without having to impose on themself an ascription of being an escalator.
I believe that we should all try to de-escalate our occasional difficulties.
A Suggestion From... by Michael February 5, 2026
An anonymous contributor to The Weekly (Jan. 25, 2026) wrote the following:
"Behavior We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In keeping with this principle, any harassment, bigotry, or threatening behaviour toward other members, volunteers or staff will not be tolerated. Be nice to each other. Be cooperative."
I believe that the important suggestion above should be given to people to whom it might apply. Displaying it to all of us could result in the Membership being afraid to speak out about perceived misconduct.
Outside of Woodsworth, I was once accused of racism in a public forum. I had expressed a concern about a person who wasn't white. As a result of the defamatory characterization of me, my accuser was fired from their job.
Here at Woodsworth, I've been accused of Naming, Blaming, and Shaming one of us. I felt threatened by this.
As the Chair of our Directory Committee, I've been threatened with legal action.
Again, I believe that the important suggestion above should be given to people to whom it might apply.
Michael's email address is available in the Woodsworth Directory.