40 Years - My Personal Reflection

Today, I turn 40.

To be honest, it feels a little surreal. I remember when 40 seemed so old. Now I’m here, wondering where the time went. I’ve been reading birthday messages, taking phone calls, and hearing from people I haven’t spoken to in years. It has given me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on these first forty years of my life.

Firstly, I have to thank the Almighty God. Every opportunity I have been given, every lesson I have learned, every victory, every disappointment, and every new beginning has been possible because of His grace. There were moments when I didn’t understand why certain things were happening. There were doors I desperately wanted to open that never did. I questioned why but not long after I would get the answer. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life came because another door had first been closed.

I am equally grateful for my family. Public service and advocacy ask a great deal, not only of the person doing the work but also of those who love them. My family has shared the long days, the late nights, the travel, the meetings, the court hearings, the disappointments, and the victories. They have celebrated with me, prayed for me, encouraged me, and reminded me that no matter how busy life becomes, family always comes first. I could never have done any of this without them.

Rejection has always fueled my fight. Every time I got a no, it forced me to be resilient and try another path. Had everything gone according to my own plans, I doubt I would have found the purpose that has shaped so much of my life.

When I think about these first forty years, my mind goes to people. I think about the worker who finally received the promotion they deserved. I think about the person who got the job they had almost given up on. I think about the voices that were finally heard after spending years being ignored. I think about the policy changes, the legislative reforms, and the conversations that forced institutions to confront issues they could no longer avoid. Knowing that our collective efforts have helped improve the lives of others means more to me than any recognition ever could.

This work has never been about one person. It has always been about people coming together because they believed Canada could do better.

I find myself thinking about the people who chose to stand with us when it mattered most. When I asked the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean to lend her voice to workers, she didn’t hesitate. The Honourable Jean Augustine continues to lead by example. At 88 years old, her commitment to justice and public service remains as strong as ever. Alain Babineau has been a trusted friend whose wisdom, encouragement, and steady commitment to justice have meant more than I can express. Former Member of Parliament Matthew Green has consistently stood up for workers and human rights, never wavering when difficult conversations needed to be had. Craig Wellington and the Black Opportunity Fund answered the call, and Amnesty International Canada, under the leadership of Ketty Nivyabandi, has been a relentless advocate for the human rights of workers. Each of them, in their own way, has helped move this work forward.

I think about our union partners: NUPGE, PIPSC, CAPE, PSAC and so many others who stood with workers. I think about the lawyers who performed yeoman service, the academics who lent credibility to the evidence, the journalists who told stories others overlooked, the parliamentarians who listened, the community leaders who organized, and the countless advocates and volunteers who simply refused to accept that things had to remain the way they were.

I have also had the privilege of travelling with my mentor, Dr. Johnny J. Mack of The World House Project, on missions in different parts of the world. Together, we have worked alongside others to advance non-violence, human rights, and justice. His mentorship has challenged me to think beyond borders and reminded me that the pursuit of justice is not confined to one country. It is a shared responsibility.

There are far too many people to name individually. If I ever called you, asked for your advice, invited you to a meeting, asked you to sign a letter, stand at a podium, join a campaign, or simply believe in an idea that seemed impossible at the time, thank you. Whatever has been accomplished over these years belongs to all of us.

As I celebrate this milestone, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what we have accomplished together. We challenged systems that many believed could never change. We opened doors that had remained closed for far too long. We helped create opportunities for people who deserved to be seen, heard, and treated fairly. We proved that ordinary people, working together with conviction and persistence, really can make a difference.

If I have one birthday wish, it is this: I hope to see Parliament pass a modernized Employment Equity Act, as recommended by the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force. So that everyone has the opportunity to go to work and not face barriers to advance. If workers are good, then ultimately, the people they serve would receive better service. Everyone wins when there is fairness in the workplace.

I don’t want to spend another decade talking about why change is needed. I want to see that change now. I want this generation to experience it. I want today’s workers to benefit from it. I want today’s leaders to have the courage to act. Progress should not always be a promise we leave for those who come after us.

At 40, I am proud of what we have accomplished, but I am even more excited about what lies ahead. I have no intention of slowing down. In many ways, I feel like I am just getting started.

If you’ve been walking this road with me, thank you. I hope you’ll keep walking it. If you’re just joining us, welcome. There is room for everyone who believes that Canada can be fairer, stronger, and more inclusive.

We’re not waiting for history to judge us. We’re writing it. And together, we’re helping to change the world.

Leh we go!