National Child Day 2020

Sara Austin

Founder and CEO, Children First Canada

Sara is a world class champion for children, with more than 20 years of global and Canadian experience. As the Founder and CEO of Children First Canada, she leads a national movement to make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.

You’ll find her name on several “most powerful” lists, and for good reason. She has led highly successful advocacy, public awareness and philanthropic campaigns and shaped major public policy efforts. She has learned multiple languages and is fluent in the parlance of diplomacy. Her work has taken her into the top circles of power in the UN, national governments, and boardrooms around the world. In recognition of her efforts, she has twice been awarded the Top 25 Women of Influence, and in 2017 she was the youngest person to be inducted into the Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame.

Sara has a proven track record of leading high achieving teams with local and global impact. Most recently she served as the CEO of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, where she led Canada’s most advanced frontline agency responding to child abuse. Previously she served as Director of the President’s Office of World Vision Canada, supporting the CEO and Board of Directors and leading strategic initiatives for children and workplace diversity and inclusion.

Her leadership has impacted the lives of millions of children. Most notably, she led a global campaign that resulted in the adoption of the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child for a Communications Procedure (OP3). This ground-breaking law allows kids or their advocates to hold governments accountable for violations of children’s rights.

She is an expert in governance best practices and has served on the UN’s Global Advisory Council on Violence Against Children, the WXN Diversity Council and the Boards of Dalhousie University, the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of the Child, York Region Children’s Aid Society and the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre.

Sara holds an MSt/LLM with Distinction in International Human Rights Law from Oxford and an Honours BA in International Development and Women’s Studies from Dalhousie University. She has completed the Governance Essentials Program for Non-Profits with the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Maytree Foundation’s Public Policy Program and the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Partnerships Program.

On a personal level, Sara is married and has a son, and she is a cancer survivor. She is an avid downhill skier, water sports enthusiast and international traveler.

Arjun Ram

CBC Kids News Contributor, Host for National Child Day

Arjun Ram is a Grade 9 French Immersion student from Hamilton, Ont., with many diverse interests such as sports, music and math. Arjun has developed an interest in reporting on social and political issues as well as important developments in the area of professional sports. He hopes to one day work as a news anchor for CBC.

The Hon. Ahmed Hussen

Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen is the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston. A community advocate and lawyer, he has proudly represented the residents of York South-Weston since 2015.

Ahmed immigrated to Canada at the age of 16 as a refugee. After attending high school in Hamilton, Ontario, Ahmed worked at the Hamilton—Wentworth social services department before he settled in Toronto in 1997. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at York University and soon co-founded the Regent Park Community Council. As the president of this organization, Ahmed played a key role in fiercely advocating for Regent Park’s 15,000 residents, securing a $500 Million investment to revitalize Regent Park. He was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for his leadership efforts in the Regent Park Community.

Serving as National President for the Canadian Somali Congress, Ahmed worked with national and regional authorities to advocate on important issues to Canadians of Somali heritage, strengthening civic engagement and integration. His results-driven reputation led to an invitation from the Toronto City Summit Alliance to join the task force for modernizing income security for working adults. As a result of his advocacy work, the Toronto Star recognized Ahmed as one of ten individuals in Toronto to have made substantial contributions to the city. Ahmed has also worked as a Special Assistant for intergovernmental affairs to former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

After earning a law degree from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Ahmed Hussen practised law in the areas of criminal defence, immigration and refugee law, and human rights. He has served as a member on the board of the Global Enrichment Foundation, an organization that has enabled women in East Africa to access post-secondary education. He has also served on the board of Journalists for Human Rights, an organization that empowers journalists in developing countries to cover human rights and governance issues objectively and effectively.

Ahmed was elected as the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston in 2015 and sat on the Justice and Human Rights Committee. He was also the vice-chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association. In January 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Ahmed as Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.

Ahmed was subsequently re-elected as the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston in October 2019. On November 20, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Ahmed Hussen as Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

In parliament and in his constituency, Ahmed Hussen continues to work hard for the residents of York South—Weston and for all Canadians.

Michael Linklater

Canadian Basketball Player

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Michael Linklater has established himself as one of the worlds top 3X3 basketball players. He Is a proud Nehiyaw (Cree) descending from the Thunderchild First Nation, located in Treaty 6 territory. In 2010 Linklater made history, as team captain, he lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s basketball team to its first and only CanWest Conference Championship and CIS National Championship. Michael has utilized his many accomplishments as an athlete, to help create awareness for many different issues, off the court. He is the founder of the International Campaign “Boys with Braids”. He has won numerous awards, as an advocate for Indigenous youth, and for his community involvement. To name a few; the Saskatchewan CBC future 40 under 40, the Cheif of Police award for community service, the Circle of Honour, and the Sasktel aboriginal achievement awards of Excellence for most outstanding achievement. Over the past eighteen years, Michael has deliver hundreds of Keynote addresses to tens of thousands of youth and adults across Canada. Most importantly, Michael is a proud father who understands the significance of his cultural and passing it down to his children.

Sandy McIntosh

Executive Vice-president, People & Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, TELUS

Sandy leads TELUS’ people and culture. Her team is responsible for creating business, talent and culture practices that drive remarkable human outcomes. Sandy believes the path to brand advocacy is paved with exceptional customer and team member experiences, and she’s made it her mission to re-imagine them to fuel TELUS’ differentiation and ability to deliver on our social purpose to improve lives and the world we live in.
Sandy’s authentic, creative and collaborative style promotes a culture of integrity, innovation and spirited teamwork. In addition to supporting TELUS’ Human Resources and Compensation Committee, she advises the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors, counselling them on culture transformation, labour relations, cost transformation, mergers and acquisitions, total rewards and talent development programs to accelerate TELUS’ growth and performance.
During her tenure, TELUS has achieved team member engagement in the top 10th percentile of employers globally, has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, inducted into the Top 10 Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame, and named Best Diversity Employer for several consecutive years.
Sandy demonstrates TELUS’ community promise to give where we live, serving as Vice-chair of the TELUS Toronto Community Board since 2010 and acting as Honorary Chair for OneWalk to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for the past eight years.
Sandy is recognized as one of the Women’s Executive Network’s Most Powerful Women and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. She has also received a Leadership Excellence Award in the Trailblazer category from Women in Communications and Technology and is identified as a Woman Worth Watching by Diversity Journal.
Sandy holds an Executive MBA and a Master of Industrial Relations degree from Queen’s University, and an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Elder Verna McGregor

Algonquin Cultural Advisor

Verna McGregor is from the First Nation Algonquin Community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, which is approximately 120 kilometres north of Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa and Gatineau form part of the Algonquin Nation’s traditional unceded lands.

Verna works at Minwaashin Lodge – The Indigenous Women’s Support Centre in Ottawa delivering an employment and training.

Verna has remained firmly grounded in her community and nation by being part of also the group of traditional Grandmothers (Kokomisag) and Elders. This includes the importance of promotion of retention of the Algonquin language and culture which is so important when addressing issues from a cultural perspective.

Estelle Kim

National Child Day Activator and Youth Ambassador

Estelle is currently a grade 12 student residing in Calgary, Alberta. Advocating for children’s rights, especially regarding children’s mental health, has always been an area of passion for her. As a member of Calgary’s Mayor’s Youth Council and YVC’s International Youth Advisory Board, she loves working with like-minded youth to provide various platforms and opportunities for young people to voice their opinions. Estelle is continuing to promote the importance of mental health awareness through Free Your Mind and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Youth Philanthropy Council. She loves to try new things and is a risk-taker that values diligence, determination and open-mindedness. As a National Child Day Youth Activator, she hopes to promote the importance and celebration of National Child Day to youth across Canada.

Lyric Becker

Lyric Becker, pronouns she/her, is 13 years old from Kelowna, British Columbia. This is Lyric’s first time on a youth advisory council but she is a big thinker who doesn’t want to wait to make a difference in the world. She thinks it is so important for children to understand that they have rights so that they can be empowered to speak up for themselves. It is important to ensure that Canadian children are aware of their fundamental rights. She is a passionate storyteller and fantasy writer, currently working on four separate novels!

Kaitlyn Fernandes

As a 16-year-old student from Ontario, Canada., Kaitlyn lives each day with a new goal to educate herself–and those around her. Whether it be speaking with the members of her youth council, leading her business club, or giving back to the community, Kaitlyn has dedicated her time to start the conversation about diverse representation, mental health, and equality among youth. Her biggest goal is to use her own voice to remind others that everyone’s opinion is valid and heard, she strongly believes in the power of young people and their potential to shape the future.

​The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada

Justin Trudeau (born December 25, 1971) is Canada’s 23rd Prime Minister.

Justin’s vision of Canada is a country where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed. His experiences as a teacher, father, leader, and advocate for youth have shaped his dedication to Canadians – and his commitment to make Canada a place where everyone has the opportunities they need to thrive.

The oldest of three boys, Justin grew up with the profound influence of his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and his mother, Margaret Trudeau. He was raised speaking both French and English and has family roots in both Eastern and Western Canada. This background helped spark his passion for public service and shaped his conviction that diversity is Canada’s strength.

Justin studied literature at McGill University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1994. He went on to complete the University of British Columbia’s education program, and spent several years teaching French, math, and other subjects in Vancouver. Teaching allowed him to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. He remains committed to hearing the voices of young Canadians, from the classroom to Parliament Hill.

In 2002, Justin returned home to Montréal, where he met Sophie Grégoire, a Quebec TV and radio host. They married in 2005 and are now the proud parents of Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.

Before entering politics, Justin served as the Chair of Katimavik, on the board for the Canadian Avalanche Foundation, and as an advocate for young people and the environment. As a speaker at events and conferences around the country, he encouraged young people to engage with the issues important to them and participate as active citizens. These experiences made it increasingly clear to him that the issues young Canadians care about – education, the environment, and their generation’s economic prospects – needed a stronger voice.

Justin entered politics to make change that would better serve all Canadians. In 2007, he built a community-based, grassroots campaign to win the Liberal Party nomination in the Montréal riding of Papineau. He was elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

Justin was elected Leader of the Liberal Party in April 2013. His leadership campaign focused on building a new, truly national movement of progressive Canadians, bringing hundreds of thousands of Canadians into politics, most for the first time. He worked closely with his team to build a plan to create jobs, grow the economy, protect the environment, and strengthen the middle class. With Justin’s leadership, the Liberal plan emphasized fair economic opportunity for everyone, respect for and promotion of freedom and diversity, and a more democratic government that truly represents Canadians.

On October 19, 2015, Justin led his party to victory, winning a majority government with seats in every province and territory across the country. He was sworn in on November 4, 2015.

On October 21, 2019, Justin led the Liberal Party to re-election, earning a second mandate from Canadians.

As Prime Minister, Justin leads a government that works hard every day to continue moving Canada forward. His team is focused on creating good middle class jobs, making life more affordable, keeping Canada’s communities safe, fighting climate change, and moving forward on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. A proud feminist, Justin appointed Canada’s first gender balanced Cabinet.

Ariel Siller

CEO of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation

Ariel Siller is CEO of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation. A passionate advocate for children’s literacy, Ariel joined CCLF in July 2019 from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation where she was Executive Director. In that role, she championed literacy by helping high-needs elementary schools build their libraries through grants for books.
Previously, Ariel pursued her passion for social justice through her legal practice. She graduated from Stanford Law School with both academic and pro bono distinctions. Throughout her legal career, most recently at Torys LLP in Toronto, Ariel maintained an active pro bono practice that involved partnering with and advocating for marginalized communities.

Ahsan Musavi

Outreach facilitator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Ahsan Musavi is an outreach facilitator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. He recently completed his undergraduate degree at Brock University in sports management. Ahsan is a passionate soccer player and has been a part of professional soccer leagues, including the Toronto FC and Special Olympics Ontario premier soccer teams, playing in stadiums across North America. In addition to his athletic career with Special Olympics Ontario, Ahsan has also served as program coordinator with the organization, coordinating and delivering sports workshops to kids and youth living with disabilities.

Polina Kosareva

Outreach Coordinator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Polina Kosareva is the outreach coordinator with the communications and public engagement team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, responsible for bringing lived experience of disability to the community as a means of engagement. Prior to her role, Polina worked in the Transitions and Inclusive Environments Lab at the hospital’s Bloorview Research Institute, where she worked on a research project focused on enhancing inclusive employment for youth with disabilities.

Nathan Gaba

Outreach Facilitator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Nathan Gaba is an outreach facilitator at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. He is a student at McMaster University and a former client of Holland Bloorview. Nathan has an array of experience speaking to audiences about disability awareness, including at the University of Toronto where he frequently spoke to physical therapists in training about physical health and cerebral palsy. He has also worked with Toronto Police in spreading anti-drug messaging around the city of Toronto.

Dr. Ronald Cohn

President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Dr. Ronald Cohn, MD, FACMG is the President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Dr. Ronald Cohn has served as President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada since May 1st, 2019. Dr. Cohn joined SickKids in September 2012 as the Chief of the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Co-Director of the Centre for Genetic Medicine, and Senior Scientist at the SickKids Research Institute. He became the Inaugural Women’s Auxiliary Chair in Clinical and Metabolic Genetics in April of 2013, and joined the department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. In 2016 he was appointed to the position of Chief of Paediatrics at SickKids, and Chair of Paediatrics at The University of Toronto.

Dr. Cohn received his medical degree from the University of Essen, Germany. After his postdoctoral fellowship at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Kevin Campbell, he moved to Baltimore where he was the first combined resident in paediatrics and genetics at the Johns Hopkins University. He subsequently joined the faculty of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins where he became the director of the worlds’ first multidisciplinary centre for Hypotonia, which has earned national and international recognition. Dr. Cohn was also the director of the medical genetics residency program at Johns Hopkins. He has received numerous awards including the David M. Kamsler Award for outstanding compassionate and expert care of pediatric patients in 2004; First Annual Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics Award in Medical in 2006; and the NIH Young Innovator Award in 2008.

Over the last few years, Dr. Cohn has developed an interest in applying a concept of Precision Child Health to the care of children. His own research focusses on implementing genome editing technologies for the treatment of neurogenetic disorders.

Saara Chaudry

CBC Kids News Contributor

Saara Chaudry is passionate about having a positive impact on the world, whether it’s within her community, on the big screen or in her role as a CBC Kids News contributor. The 16-year-old from Toronto played Little Cosette in Les Miserables, Howie on Max & Shred and Dana’s older sister on Dino Dana. She was also the voice of Parvana in The Breadwinner, the feature film nominated for an Oscar, along with the Golden Globe and Canadian Screen awards.

Willa Black

M.S.M Vice-President, Corporate Affairs – Cisco Canada

As Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and CSR for Cisco Canada, Willa Black is responsible for strategies to drive Cisco’s brand relevance and transformational impact. She leads CSR programming with a focus on Education and Healthcare, building strategic partnerships and reinforcing the company’s commitment to social innovation working with governments, non-governmental organizations, and communities across Canada.

Named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence for 2011, one of the Canadian Board Diversity Council’s 2015 Diversity 50, the Federated Press Canadian Woman Leader of the Year for 2015, and the recipient of the 2015 Canadian Aboriginal Business Council’s Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations, Black has held Marketing and CSR leadership roles at Cisco Canada since 1999. She has developed and led award-winning programming including the “25 Transformational Canadians” campaign to mark Cisco’s 25^th anniversary, in partnership with CTV and The Globe and Mail; and the One Million Acts of Green campaign in partnership with the CBC. Thousands of Canadians participated in this national challenge to drive personal commitment towards environmental sustainability, logging in excess of 1.8 million “green acts” and saving 105, 695, 538  kgs of Green House Gas emissions.

In 2014, Black led the development and launch of Connected North, a ground-breaking virtual program showcasing innovations in the field of learning with the aim to reduce Aboriginal drop-out rates. The program connects students and classrooms in under-served, remote Aboriginal communities with students in Canada’s south via Cisco Telepresence Technology driving cultural exchange and mentoring. Connected North also provides real time Experts-on-Demand in the classroom, virtual fieldtrips and teacher training and support via high definition video. After the success of the pilot in Aqsarniit Middle School in Iqaluit, Connected North is now scaling across Nunavut, the NWT, the Yukon, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Black also led the virtual program delivery of Youth Tele-Psychiatry services now operating in ten communities across Nunavut, in partnership with the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and the RBC Foundation.

In 2018, Canada’s Governor General awarded Black with the Medal of Meritorious Service in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the country.

A 30-year veteran of the public relations and marketing industry, Black began her career at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising in Toronto. This was followed by 14 years at Royal Trust/Royal Bank where she was Director, Public Affairs for the Wealth Management division, RBC.

Black sits on the Board of Trustees for the Gordon Foundation, The Century Initiative, and was a Founding Member of the Children’s Book Bank in Regent Park. She has served on the boards of the Canadian Club, the Toronto Civic Action Steering Committee, and Dignitas. She has also participated in many IT industry initiatives including the Canadian e-Business Initiative, the Information Technology Association of Canada InGenious Awards Steering Committee and is a frequent speaker at various industry and association events.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Williams College in Massachusetts, USA. A resident of Toronto, Willa is married and a mother of three.

Simon Thériault

FJCF's New Brunswick representative and President of the New Brunswick Francophone Youth Federation (Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick).

Français:

Originaire de Grand-Sault au Nouveau-Brunswick, Simon est actuellement le Président de la Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick. Il s’implique également dans le conseil des élèves de son école où il siégera pour la deuxième année consécutive au poste de la présidence. Il planifie poursuivre ses études post-secondaires en septembre 2021 à l’Université de Moncton en Science politique.​

English:

Originally from Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Simon is currently the President of the Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick. He is also involved in his school’s student council, where he will serve for the second consecutive year as President. He plans to continue his post-secondary studies in September 2021 at the Université de Moncton in Political Science.

Jhalak (Jay) Batta

Grade 12 Student

Hi, my name is Jhalak (Jay) Batta. I’m a Grade 12 student at Crescent Heights High School. I was born in India, and raised in India, Singapore and Canada. I’ve been involved in various volunteer pursuits over the years including being a teacher’s assistant, library volunteer, a student leader in her school community, member of the Mayor’s Youth Council and Youth Central, blogger with the International Youth Advisory Board, a Distress Centre responder and more. I plan on pursuing Psychology in my future studies with the goal of becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist. My interests include of reading, writing, dance, singing, and travelling.

Kluane Adamek

Yukon Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Kluane Adamek was sworn in as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Yukon Regional Chief on June 28, 2018, having held the interim position since January 2018. Regional Chief Adamek is committed to working with Yukon First Nation Leadership and communities in bringing forward their priorities and interests forward on the national level, at their direction.

A proud citizen of Kluane First Nation, Regional Chief Adamek belongs to the Dakl’aweidi (Killerwhale) Clan. She comes from a diverse background with Tlingit, Southern Tutchone, German and Irish origins. Regional Chief Adamek is fluent in English and French and continues to learn Southern Tutchone and Tlingit.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies from Carleton University in 2009 (Ottawa, Ontario), she returned home to work with Yukon First Nations and local communities in the areas of education, economic development and governance. In 2019, she completed her Master of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University. Throughout her career she has served on a number of boards and committees including the Yukon College Board of Governors, Kluane Dana Shaw Development Corporation, Actua, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and the Aboriginal Sport Circle. She has proven experience in both the private and public sectors, holding various roles with Northwestel and Hon. Pauline Frost, Minister of Health and Social Services, Environment and Housing for the Government of the Yukon. Her professional experience also includes serving as an Advisor to former AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. While pursuing her Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship with the Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation, she led and founded “Our Voices,” a collective of northern Indigenous emerging leaders.

Regional Chief Adamek currently holds the AFN National Portfolios for Climate Change and the Environment and the Modern Treaties Implementation and co-chairs the Chiefs Committee on Health. She is incredibly passionate about supporting youth and emerging leaders in the North and beyond.

Jagmeet Singh

Leader of the New Democratic Party

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Member of Parliament for Burnaby South.
Jagmeet Singh grew up in Scarborough, St. John’s, and Windsor, and served as an Ontario MPP from 2011 until 2017. On October 1st, 2017, he became leader of Canada’s NDP – guided by values rooted in his experiences growing up, Jagmeet is working to build a fairer, more just Canada where everyone can get ahead.

Jagmeet is fighting for services people urgently need right now. That means creating good jobs to combat growing inequality. It means a real plan for our environment that includes workers and their families. And it means addressing the skyrocketing costs of housing and health care that squeeze too many families in Burnaby South.

The Honourable Erin O’Toole

Leader of the Official Opposition

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Erin O’Toole has led a life of service. Born in Montreal, QC, he grew up as a middle-class kid in Bowmanville, ON. He enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was 18 and attended the Royal Military College. His time in the RCAF took him across Canada, completing basic training in Chilliwack, BC; earning his wings in Winnipeg, MB; and serving out of Halifax, NS as a tactical navigator. During that time, Erin participated in search and rescue missions on Sea King helicopters and learned French.

After 12 years of service, Erin retired from the military and spent the next decade working in the private sector as a corporate lawyer. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors for the True Patriot Love Foundation, a charity that serves veterans and military families across Canada.

He has been elected to represent Durham three times, first in a 2012 by-election, then in 2015, and 2019. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade before becoming Minister of Veterans Affairs, a beleaguered file he successfully turned around within 10 months at the end of the Harper government.

After serving as the Conservative Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years, Erin is now the Leader of Canada’s Conservatives.

Erin is married to Rebecca and they have two children, Mollie and Jack.

Annamie Paul

Leader of the Green Party of Canada

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I am the daughter of immigrants who arrived in Canada from the Caribbean in the 1960s. When my mother and grandmother arrived, they took jobs as live-in domestics – the main job Black women could get at that time. Like many immigrants, my mother worked hard to regain her profession as an elementary teacher and worked for more than 30 years in Toronto schools. My grandmother, who had been a nurse and a midwife, became a nurse’s aide.

My mother loves her adopted home and was determined that her family embrace everything Canada has to offer. Even though she had never seen snow before coming to Canada, and had been taught to stay out of the sea, she insisted we all learn to swim and to skate. And when the government announced it was launching a national French immersion program, my mom enrolled us. I was among the first group of students to graduate from the program in the late 1980s, in our hometown of Toronto.

I was engaged with public policy from an early age. My mom still has a photo of me at 12-years old in my Ontario Legislature Page’s uniform, and I can still remember the rallies, protests and strikes that she took me to. I went on to complete a Masters of Public Affairs at Princeton University, a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Ottawa, and am called to the Bar in Ontario. Over the years, I have been honoured to be selected as an inaugural Action Canada Fellow, an Echoing Green Fellow, as a member of the Recruitment of Policy Leaders Program, member of the University of Ottawa Common Law Honour Society and as a recipient of the Harry Jerome Award.

A large part of my professional life has been focused in international affairs. I have worked abroad as a Director for a leading conflict prevention NGO in Brussels, as an Advisor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and as a Political Officer in Canada’s Mission to the European Union. I co-founded and co-directed BIPP HUB in Barcelona: an innovation hub for international NGOs working on global challenges. I have also served on the Board and advised a number of international NGOs, including the Climate Infrastructure Partnership (CLIP), Higher Education Alliance for Refugees (HEAR) and Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT).

Until recently, my professional work largely prevented me from participating in partisan politics. Nevertheless, promoting diversity in Canadian politics is a long-standing commitment of mine and I have always found ways to advocate. After graduate school, I founded and directed the Canadian Centre for Political Leadership (CCPL) from 2001-2005: a non-partisan charity that trained women and under-represented minorities to run for elected office. I am proud that CCPL trainees are now serving their communities in elected roles. I have volunteered with Operation Black Vote Canada (OBVC), and served on the Steering Committee for Equal Voice Canada, two non-partisan organisations working to diversify our political representation. I have also published articles and policy papers on social inclusion and representation in Canadian politics.

In the 2019 federal election, I represented the Green Party of Canada as its candidate in Toronto Centre. I ran against the sitting Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, and challenged the Liberal record of building pipelines while neglecting our local communities. We had the second-best Green result in the Greater Toronto Area, nearly tripling the Green vote in our riding. I was really proud of the ways in which my campaign team was also able to support other Green candidates and ridings throughout the city.

Until recently, I served as International Affairs Critic in the Green Party of Canada’s Shadow Cabinet, providing advice to our Interim Leader on international issues and helping to guide the development of our foreign policy positions. I speak English, French, Catalan and Spanish.

I have been married for almost 24 years. My partner is an international human rights lawyer who specializes in peace negotiations and reconciliation. We have two teenage children that I alternately refer to as “your children” or “my children” depending on my mood.

Apolline de Schaetzen

Apolline de Schaetzen is currently taking a year off of school to work as a preschool, music and dance instructor at a recreation centre. Her passion for helping children was sparked when she won a $5000 grant for Treehouse; a refuge for abused children in the Youth Philanthropic Initiative. Her goal is to expose children to various art forms so that they can learn to express their feelings and have a playful childhood, as all children should.

Marilène Gill

Member of Parliament for the, Bloc Québécois, Critic for Families, Children and Social Development

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Français:

Marilène Gill est députée du Bloc Québécois, Porte-parole pour Famille, enfants et développement social.

Marilène est députée du Bloc Québécois dans la circonscription de Manicouagan depuis 2015. Enseignante au collégial depuis 2003, Marilène Gill poursuit des études doctorales en lettres. Syndicaliste, agente de développement, coordonnatrice de la table de concertation en condition féminine de la Côte-Nord, elle s’implique aussi au sein du CALQ. Elle a aussi agi comme directrice littéraire aux Éditions Trois-Pistoles, tout comme elle a publié des œuvres personnelles. Pour ces dernières, elles a reçu plusieurs prix et bourses. Marilène Gill a également été attachée politique de Michel Guimond, ex-député et whip en chef du Bloc Québécois. Elle est actuellement whip adjointe du Bloc Québécois.

English:

Marilène has been a Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament for the riding of Manicouagan since 2015. A college (CEGEP) teacher since 2003, Marilène Gill is pursuing doctoral studies in literature. She is a unionist, development officer, and coordinator of the Table de concertation en condition féminine de la Côte-Nord, and is also involved with CALQ. She has also acted as literary director at Éditions Trois-Pistoles, as well as published personal works. For the latter, she has received several awards and bursaries. Marilène Gill was also political attaché to Michel Guimond, former Member of Parliament and Chief Whip of the Bloc Québécois. She is currently deputy whip of the Bloc Québécois.

Thalia Bueno

Thalia Bueno, pronouns she/her, is 16 years old from Vaughan, Ontario. Thalia has not been on a youth advisory council before but she believes in advocating for and empowering vulnerable people within our society. She is ready to provide input when analyzing policies and help promote events through mobilization of youths. Thalia was on the poster for the Easter Seals Ontario’s fundraising campaign between 2014-2017. You could find her face all over malls, public transit and libraries.

Anwar Boutahar

Anwar Boutahar is 14 years old from Toronto, Ontario. Anwar has years of experience in speaking publically, including television and is very active in advocating. Anwar has always paid attention to the issues that other people choose to ignore.