Equity Executive Board Member election results

As a social worker and social justice activist, and an active member of Local 352 Cristine has committed her life work to changing the health outcomes for Indigenous through her work in child welfare, provincial and federal corrections, college and university faculty work developing Indigenous courses to de-colonize curriculum, crisis work and her work with different unions she has been proud to be a member of. She was the voice for de-colonization when she went thorough arbitration and would not sign off until they de-colonized the language in the form. She is a sought after speaker on Indigenous issues that engage the audience and promotes commitment to change. She advocates and speaks globally for Trauma Informed and Cultural Safety approaches in work and education.

During the recent Support staff strike, she provided food and walked the picket lines daily as fulltime faculty to bring a face to Indigenous and union issues. She is available always to staff to support them, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. She is a strong believer and follower of her Traditions, and is able to bridge that traditional knowledge with union values to effectively advocate for Indigenous rights and values. Her work focuses on building the capacity for workers to have two-eyed seeing, to expand their capacity to be inclusive and culturally safe in their work practices to promote equity.

She is respected in Indigenous communities, has a solid understanding of Indigenous values and traditions, supports Indigenous in the criminal justice field, and in communities. She is respectful, honest, has integrity, believes in reciprocity, and practices humility. She has awards for her work and her writing but you will not hear her speak of them as she is committed to the work. She is passionate about her work in the Union. The Union and the members would benefit from her continued work as an EEBM.

Of note is that despite her traumatic history from the 60’s Scoop, Cristine has benefited from the traditional knowledge of her mother, grandparents, Elders and Knowledge Holders to ensure she lives a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She has never turned to unhealthy ways to cope as many of our community members have, has not used drugs and never had an alcohol problem. She is part of the Wabishki Makwa Handdrummers for 20 years. She also gives workshops and teaching on ribbon skirt and ribbon shirt making, most notable with participants in the Indigenous Peoples Court in Peterborough to promote healing. She also will share her knowledge in different programs at the college, that includes Indigenous Wellbeing, drumming, and intro to Cedar Bath ceremony to ensure students in the different programs begin the process of understanding Cultural Safe practices from the massage therapy program to the Police Foundations program.

My name is Elizabeth Ha. I am a labour/community activist from Windsor, who spent decades fighting for worker justice, equity, and real change. My activism began on OPSEU’s Provincial Young Workers Committee, where I spearheaded the union’s very first Young Worker Conference, building a new generation of leaders ready to organize, mobilize, and win.

I served as the Equity Vice-President with the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) where I organized OFL’s first Workers of Colour Conference, bringing together union members and community organizers to build solidarity and collective power like never before.

I was instrumental in OPSEU’s Social Mapping Project, a groundbreaking initiative that exposed systemic barriers within our union and led to the creation of the Equity Seats on the Executive Board, the very seat I am running for today. This work helped ensure racialized and equity seeking workers have real representation where decisions are made.

For over 20 years, I served as an HDPP Advisor assisting members to address racism, discrimination and harassment. I have helped develop many equity courses now delivered across the province at Educationals, including the Dismantling Anti-Systemic Racism course equipping members with the tools to challenge injustice and build an inclusive union.

Most recently, I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with college workers on the picket lines fighting for fairness. I supported LBED workers by placing my body between a loading dock and a transport truck for hours in extreme heat to stop alcohol shipments to LCBO stores during their strike. I organized all the Equity Committees and Caucus and mobilized over 60 people to walk into an OPSEU/SEFPO board meeting and refuse to leave until leadership agreed to concrete demands to confront the racism faced by Correctional Officers.

I am an organizer with Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW), where I support migrant farm workers through workplace advocacy, rights education, emergency response, and campaigns for permanent status and safer working conditions. I continue to work directly in communities to challenge exploitation and build collective power.

I am also a proud member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), advancing racial justice and strengthening Black leadership in the labour movement, and the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA), which organizes and empowers Asian Canadian workers while fighting racism and workplace exploitation.

Near the heart of my work is a belief captured by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, but because one’s conscience tells one that it’s right…”

I believe in a labour movement that is bold, inclusive, and rooted in real action

If you believe in strong worker power, real equity, and fearless leadership, I ask for your support and vote. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, to connect or simply to get to know each other. Building relationships is at the heart of organizing and I’d love to hear from you.

Dr. Garvey is a nurse, educator, researcher, and union leader whose advocacy is rooted in the lived realities of women and equity-seeking members navigating systems not designed for them. With over two decades of experience in Emergency and Mental Health Nursing, she brings frontline knowledge to her union and board leadership, grounding policy and governance decisions in members’ actual experiences at work, school, and in their communities. Her approach to equity is practical, relational, and accountable to those most affected by harm.

She serves as an adjunct professor in a collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, where her teaching and mentorship focus on safety, access, and dignity in academic and clinical environments. Her work with students and colleagues reflects a commitment to disrupting normalized inequities and creating spaces where women, racialized groups, and other equity-seeking members can learn, work, and lead without fear of harm or exclusion. Dr. Garvey’s research addresses anti-bullying, mental health, and systemic barriers in organizational culture, securing over $500,000 to advance health equity and inform action for systemic change.

Her advocacy extends beyond academia to community and global spaces. Through collaboration with the Social Justice Working Group, a United Nations-affiliated NGO, Dr. Garvey has led and published research on gender-based violence in relation to artificial intelligence and its impact on social determinants of health. This work centers women’s experiences while recognizing how race, disability, class, and other intersecting identities compound risk and exclusion.

Within the union and broader community, Dr. Garvey is known for building connections rather than hierarchy. She supports members through mentorship, advocacy, and creating spaces for honest dialogue and collective care. She is recognized for listening with intention, acting with care, and standing alongside members when it matters most, earning trust through presence, consistency, and follow-through. Her collaborations with not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions have raised awareness of women’s issues and intersectionalities while prioritizing equity as a core principle.

Although Dr. Garvey is currently the Equity Steward at her local and the inaugural Equity Executive Board Member–Vice President, she is seeking re-election. Her work reflects a deep commitment to people, not positions. Her leadership is shaped by lived experience, guided by care, and anchored in accountability to members. She listens, acts, and carries equity work beyond words into practice. This is not advocacy at a distance but work done in relationship, with courage, consistency, and an unwavering belief that centering women and equity groups which strengthen our union OPSEU/SEFPO.

Robert (they/them) is a public servant, union leader, and dedicated advocate for equity, inclusion, and social justice. With Mohawk and settler heritage, Robert’s leadership is grounded in a deep respect for the land and all its inhabitants. As a Two-Spirit activist, they bring an intersectional lens to their work, recognizing that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is diverse and that equity must centre the lived experiences of those most impacted by systemic barriers.

Currently living and working on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, Robert’s personal history reflects the complexities of identity, belonging, and reconciliation. While their settler ancestry was openly discussed growing up, their connection to Mohawk heritage was less acknowledged.

Professionally, Robert has worked for 20 years as a caseworker with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, supporting Ontarians with disabilities. In this role, they provide practical assistance, advocacy, and guidance to individuals navigating complex systems, and take pride in supporting some of the province’s most vulnerable communities. Robert currently serves on the Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC), where they raise member concerns with senior employer representatives, identify gaps between policy and practice, and hold the employer accountable.

Robert has a long history of equity leadership within OPSEU/SEFPO. Elected in 2009 as Chair of the Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel and as Chair of the Equity-Chairs Committee, Robert served multiple terms leading organizational reviews, developing equity-focused resolutions, and educating members, staff, and executive leadership about the experiences of equity-seeking groups. They continue to support this work by mentoring emerging leaders, sharing institutional knowledge, and strengthening strategies to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ equity across Ontario.

In 2014, Robert was elected by Ontario NDP members as one of two LGBTQ Committee Co-Chairs and Executive Board Members, a role to which they have been consistently re-elected. In this capacity, Robert brings 2SLGBTQIA+ concerns directly to party leadership and advocates for policies rooted in equity and inclusion. Robert also serves as an Anti-Harassment Officer for the Party, ensuring policy compliance at events, addressing concerns proactively, investigating complaints, and supporting respectful and timely resolutions.

Robert is known for their ability to connect with equity-deserving members and ensure their voices are not lost. If reelected to the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board, Robert is committed to representing community interests across regions, sectors, and divisions – prioritizing equity, education, mentorship, and accountability in all aspects of the role.

Taylor McPhillips (she/her/elle) is a Child and Youth Worker and a proud member of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 116. For almost a decade,Taylor has worked largely in precarious, contract-based jobs in several social service sectors. She knows firsthand what it means to work in multiple workplaces, face layoffs, and work under collective agreements that deny young workers equal access to benefits, job security, and dignity at work. These realities are lived experiences that so many of us share, and they are why Taylor fights so hard for you.

Taylor is the Vice Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Provincial Young Workers’ Committee, currently in her fourth term. Taylor has been steadfast in her advocacy that ensures young workers are a meaningful part of all decision making structures. This includes external bodies such as employers and governments and even internal structures within the labour movement. Taylor also serves as Co-Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Social Mapping Committee that is paramount in breaking down barriers for participation that has created significant improvements for not only equity deserving members; but all members. She played a central role on the historic Equity Seats Ad Hoc Committee, which led to the creation of seven new equity positions on OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board. The inclusion of Equity Executive Board positions is an essential step toward leadership that actually reflects the membership. Her work is grounded in the understanding that equity, anti-racism, accessibility, and climate justice are fundamental to worker power and should not be treated as secondary concerns.

In 2023, Taylor was elected Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress, representing young workers nationally. As a voting delegate, she has been a clear and uncompromising voice for young workers regarding what they deserve in their working conditions, the impacts of the cost of living crisis, and ensuring that decisions are not made for young workers without young workers.

Within Taylor’s local, she is a steward and the Vice-President responsible Communications. Taylor is also a delegate to the Region 1 Area Council and an Executive Member of the London and District Labour Council. In 2025, she ran as the federal NDP candidate for Middlesex–London, bringing unapologetic labour values and frontline experience into every conversation she had.

Taylor is running for the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board because she is someone you can count on. She listens to learn, not just to respond, and supports members across the province through direct conversations and by meeting people where they are. Taylor does not assume she has all the answers and is willing to have difficult conversations, knowing that we all have more to learn. She is committed to sharing knowledge and believes that when we know better, we do better. This approach is reflected in her dedication to succession planning within the union and in everything she does.

Taylor will represent you on the Executive Board with pride and unwavering dedication — a commitment she has demonstrated throughout her years of service to young workers and the broader labour movement.

I am Tracey Halkyard, a disability rights activist, union catalyst, and community builder whose work is grounded in a powerful belief: collective strength is only real when everyone belongs. My advocacy is shaped by lived experience and a deep commitment to solidarity, equity, and justice. I bring a union centered approach to disability justice because dignity at work, accessibility, and human rights are inseparable, and true collective power depends on inclusion rather than exclusion.

I am widely known for my ability to turn a room. I create environments where people feel safe enough to speak, brave enough to listen, and supported enough to grow. In union halls, boardrooms, and community spaces, I shift conversations from resistance toward shared purpose. I honor lived experience while holding the collective whole firmly in view, allowing meaningful progress to take root.

My activism is lived, not theoretical. I understand disability not as a personal limitation, but as a structural and workplace issue shaped by policy, power, and culture. Through my union work, I challenge ableism embedded in systems that too often exclude disabled workers. I remain committed to education, dialogue, and accountability, believing difficult conversations handled with care can lead to lasting change. One of my most significant successes was becoming the first person in Canada to navigate the accommodation and human rights process to secure the right to a service dog in my workplace. This achievement set precedent, challenged assumptions, and opened doors for others who were previously denied access. What began as a personal fight became a collective victory.

Union values are woven into everything I do. I believe unions are strongest when they reflect the full diversity of their membership. Disability justice and union solidarity are not competing priorities. They are mutually reinforcing. When disabled workers are protected, heard, and respected, unions become stronger, more credible, and more resilient.

What distinguishes my work is my ability to hold complexity with integrity. I can name harm without alienating people, advocate fiercely without losing sight of shared goals, and insist on justice while extending humanity.

Even those who initially resist my message often become allies because I lead with consistency, fairness, and results.

I practice union stewardship by lifting others. I create pathways for voices that have been historically sidelined and ensure they are included and respected. Colleagues describe me as someone who raises people up, builds confidence, and transforms spaces once defined by doubt into spaces of possibility.

My work is guided by universal design, the principle that when systems are designed for those most impacted, everyone benefits. Accessibility is not an afterthought. It is a strategy for excellence. Inclusion is collective leadership in action.

I am proud of what I have achieved, not because it centers me, but because it lifts others. My success is measured in changed policies, shifted attitudes, and people who now believe they belong. I continue this work with determination, clarity, and hope, shaping union spaces where dignity is non negotiable and collective power is real together.

As a proud Black Francophone and longtime union activist, I have dedicated my career to advancing equity, strengthening worker power, and ensuring that every member, regardless of language, race, or background, has a meaningful place in our union. My lived experience, combined with years of elected leadership within OPSEU/SEFPO, has shaped my commitment to building a more inclusive, accountable, and justicedriven labour movement. It is with this passion that I seek election to the Equity Executive Board.

My journey in OPSEU/SEFPO began many years ago, rooted in a desire to support my colleagues and challenge the inequities I witnessed in the workplace. Over time, I have served in several elected positions, each one deepening my understanding of the systemic barriers that equityseeking members continue to face. Whether advocating for fair treatment, supporting members through complex issues, or helping shape local strategies, I have always approached my work with integrity, courage, and a belief in collective empowerment.

As a Black Francophone, I know firsthand the importance of representation and the need for strong voices who understand the intersection of race, language, and identity. Too often, Francophone and Black members experience barriers that are overlooked or minimized. My lived experience allows me to bring a perspective that is both deeply personal and broadly relevant to many members across the province. I understand what it means to navigate systems that were not built with us in mind, and I am committed to ensuring that OPSEU/SEFPO continues to evolve into a union where equity is not optional ; it is foundational.

Throughout my years of activism, I have championed antiracism initiatives, supported Francophone inclusion, and worked to create safer, more accessible spaces for members to speak, organize, and lead. I believe in the power of education, dialogue, and accountability, and I have consistently used my leadership roles to amplify these values. My approach is collaborative, principled, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change requires both courage and consistency.

If elected to the Equity Executive Board, I will bring a strong, steady voice committed to action. My priorities include strengthening equity frameworks across all levels of the union, ensuring that Francophone members have meaningful opportunities to lead, and pushing for transparent, measurable progress on issues that disproportionately affect marginalized workers. I want to help build a union where equity is not an afterthought but a driving force behind every decision we make.

OPSEU/SEFPO is at a critical moment. Our membership is diverse, dynamic, and ready for change. We need leaders who are not afraid to challenge the status quo, who understand the realities of systemic discrimination, and who are committed to building a future rooted in justice and solidarity. I am ready to be one of those leaders.