Led by Veiko Parming – a board director since 2015 and chair since 2018 – the transition resolved the reality of an archaic corporate structure. Incorporated under the legacy Corporations Act as a share-capital social club, Estonian House faced a mandatory statutory deadline to transition into another form of entity under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act by October 19, 2026. True to the non-profit spirit established by its founders, the organization chose to continue as a non-profit corporation, guided by specialized legal counsel at Gowling WLG to navigate the notoriously intricate process.
The approved governance model calls for the redemption of Class A shares and converts Class C common shares into single memberships, collapsing multiple shares into a fair one-member, one-vote system. Looking forward, the board plans to issue a call for new memberships to Estonians and those with an interest in and commitment to the Estonian Canadian community.
Estonian House in Toronto's role remains that of oversight of International Estonian Centre Inc. and Estonian Arts Centre Trustee and. Beneficiary, respectively, of International Estonian Centre Trust that is building and will operate KESKUS International Estonian Centre.
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Board of Estonian House in Toronto Ltd.
