Model City Hall Guest Speakers
Guest Address
MP Jagmeet Singh Leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh is a lawyer, a human rights activist, and a former MPP in Ontario. Jagmeet understands the struggles Canadians are faced with because as a young man, he had to step up and take care of his family. Jagmeet is driven to fight for people and the help they need to get through this pandemic and beyond. |
Committee Speakers
MPP Mike Schreiner
Mike Schreiner is the leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Guelph, first elected in 2018. He is an outspoken advocate for climate action, affordable housing and mental health, and believes in putting people before politics. Prior to becoming leader of the GPO, Mike was an early champion of the local food movement, founding multiple projects to connect farmers and households.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch
Dr. Bogoch completed medical school and Internal Medicine residency training at the University of Toronto. He then pursued an Infectious Diseases fellowship through the Harvard Partners program, and an HIV fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He holds a Masters degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health, and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Gorgas Memorial Institute and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical in Lima, Peru. Dr. Bogoch’s clinical and research interests are in Tropical Diseases, Global Health and HIV prevention.
Nancy Austin
Nancy Austin is a lawyer and public administrator with extensive knowledge of human rights issues, government processes, policy development, and change management. In 1989, after working in private practice, Nancy began her career with the Ontario Public Service. Her most memorable assignments were: Executive Lead – Gender Wage Gap Steering Committee, Executive Director – Ontario Human Rights Commission, Assistant Deputy Attorney General – Legal Services, Director – Legal Aid Reform, and Director – Ministry of Labour Legal Services. Nancy has an LLM (York U.), an LLB (Western U.), and a BA (Trent U.).
In 2014, she worked in Grenada, consulting on and drafting its labour legislation. She also taught in Queen’s University’s Master of Public Administration Program. Since retiring in 2016, Nancy has volunteered for CUSO in Tanzania, for Habitat for Humanity in Jordan and Vietnam, and taught ESL in El Salvador.
Panelists
Renee Jagdeo
Renee Jagdeo ran in the Scarborough-Agincourt by-election earlier in 2021. She was the youngest person in the race of over 25 candidates. Her platform included improving green and recreational spaces, free Presto cards, supporting businesses, workers and renters during COVID-19 and developing accessible and affordable housing. She is a second-year Urban Planning and Human Geography student at the University of Toronto.
Councillor Lisa Kearns
Recently known as one of the founders of Engaged Citizens of Burlington, she has been described as one of the more impressive delegators at City Hall and helped create a space where residents work within the civic process to address issues that affect the City as a whole. Lisa is also Experienced in healthcare, manufacturing and advertising. She is currently the councillor for Burlington Ward 2.
Mayor Rob Burton
Mayor Rob Burton works to control growth, keep debt and taxes low, protect green space and the environment, and develop more community facilities to meet the needs of the community. Before public office, Mayor Burton had a successful career as a director and producer in journalism, film, and television. He is best known for starting YTV, Canada’s youth-oriented television network. During his time in office, Mayor Burton has led initiatives that protect the built and natural heritage and environment in Halton and Oakville, as well as the community’s health, safety, and well-being.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was elected as the 29th mayor of Burlington, Ontario in October of 2018. She works with Burlington’s city council, leadership team, and staff to help the city grow and thrive.
Through initiatives like the Mayor’s Red Tape Red Carpet Task force, she led the city in partnering with local businesses to identify and remove the challenges to business expansion and attraction. In her commitment to responsible future growth and development in Burlington, she is partnering on initiatives like our new Official Plan that will ensure future growth happens in the right places and at the right scale to align with the community’s vision.
On her path to becoming Mayor, Marianne served as a Burlington city councillor for 2 consecutive terms, from 2010 to 2018. Prior to her career in politics, Marianne worked for 22 years as a journalist for clients including the Toronto Sun, Vision TV, CBC, CHCH news, Chatelaine, Ryerson University and more, committed to keeping people informed about the issues and information that impact their lives.
MPP Faisal Hassan
Faisal Hassan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on June 7th 2018, and proudly represents the riding of York South-Weston.
He is the Official Opposition Critic for Youth Engagement and is a member of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly.
Faisal is a proud York South–Weston resident and an engaged community advocate. He has volunteered on the boards of the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA), Habitat for Humanity and the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre.
Faisal has worked alongside York South-Weston members of provincial and federal Parliament. He is a former broadcaster and a published author, with deep ties to the community.
MP Adam van Koeverden
Adam van Koeverden was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Milton in 2019. Mr. van Koeverden is a dedicated community leader and one of Canada’s most accomplished athletes. He has represented Canada at four Summer Olympic Games, winning a gold, two silvers, and a bronze medal. Before entering politics, he worked as a managing consultant with Deloitte, and as a broadcaster, writer, and producer with CBC Sports.
MP Ya’ara Saks
Ya’ara Saks is the Member of Parliament for York Centre in Toronto. As a long-time community advocate and Bathurst Manor resident, she is committed to making life better for families in York Centre. In Parliament, Ya’ara sits as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell is the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. As the representative of Her Majesty The Queen, Ms. Dowdeswell carries out constitutional and ceremonial duties and facilitates healthy citizen and community engagement.