‘Caring for our communities and our world beyond’ – 2026 Convention Awards celebrate amazing activists

Press Release

April 15, 2026

By Angie Speers, Local 684, inSolidarity Committee

More than a dozen amazing OPSEU/SEFPO members were celebrated during the annual Convention Awards, which took place this year on Friday, April 10, 2026, in the John Bassett Theatre.

It was an emotional and inspiring night for many as the union’s members and leaders praised and recognized a small slice of the many OPSEU/SEFPO members who have dedicated themselves to making positive change in their workplaces and their communities.

The evening began with the very talented Kellylee Evans, the Juno-winning Canadian singer and songwriter who captivated her audience singing her hit songs. During her performance of the infectious Feeling Good, she tapped into the audience’s competitive side and started a battle between each side of the room. In my very unbiased opinion, my side won! Just kidding, the real winners will be listed below for their accomplishments.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow then made a surprise visit. The first Asian-born woman elected as Toronto’s mayor, Olivia is a former educator, city councillor, and Member of Parliament. In the Mayor’s Office, she focuses on affordability, housing, transit, and enhancing city services. She spoke powerfully about the struggles caused by Doug Ford’s provincial government.

The award ceremony was emceed by CBC Radio One’s Kevin Carrington. Kevin brings his passion for communication and connection to events across Toronto including fundraising galas to fight breast cancer, Black History Month events, OPSEU/SEFPO Conventions, Afro-Carib Fest and Trinbago Toronto, just to name a few!  Uncle Kev, as he is known by TDSB students, kept the audience engaged with his humorous commentary.

But the main attraction, of course, was honouring some very deserving OPSEU/SEFPO members:

Health and Safety Award
Kristan Wolfe, Local 377

The Health and Safety Award, presented this year to Local 377’s Kristan Wolfe, honours an individual who made significant contributions to the advancement of our members’ safe working conditions.

Kristan established her local’s first-ever Health and Safety Committee and has fostered a welcoming and encouraging place for members to tackle issues head-on.

Kristan’s fierce advocacy has extended to her work on the LBED Provincial Health and Safety Committee and is known by her co-workers for never shying away from the chance to remind the employer that they can and must do better by all workers.

Her advocacy has created ripple effects across LBED and our union, empowering members to stand up for themselves to create healthier work environments.

Congratulations Kristan Wolfe!

The Stanley H. Knowles Humanitarian Award (2 recipients)

This award is bestowed on individuals or groups who exemplify the spirit, dedication, and ideals of its first recipient, Canadian Parliamentarian Stanley H. Knowles.

Dr. Andrew Boozary

Dr. Andrew Boozary is the Executive Director of Social Medicine at the University Health Network (UHN). A pioneering social-medicine advocate with a visionary and transformative commitment to health, Dr. Boozary, has led UHN is tackling one of the biggest challenges to health for those who are marginalized – homelessness.

Dr. Boozary,UHN, and the OPSEU/SEFPO members working for Fred Victor, helped create an ambitious first in Canada – the construction of a supportive housing site in Parkdale, Toronto that gives long-term housing leases to 51 residents, while providing them with access to doctors, nurses, social workers and other supports.

Not only does the program change lives, but it also dramatically reduces the care costs for the hospital through reductions in emergency service usage.

Congratulations Dr. Andrew Boozary!

Gail Kelly, Local 715

Gail Kelly is a member of the Local 715 Executive committee, Region 7 Provincial Women’s Committee (PWC) and a member of the Pay It Forward campaign.

Gail is the first one to volunteer, the first one at the event, and the last one to leave.

Her boundless dedication has led her to organize numerous events, including the regional International Women’s Day event and the National Day for Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, among others.

Gail’s dedication and commitment extends beyond her union activism. She is heavily involved in her community, organizing food and clothing drives to support those in need across Northwestern Ontario.

Our union and our communities are better off because of Gail’s work – congratulations, Gail Kelly!

Honourary Lifetime Membership Award (5 recipients)

Everyone knows OPSEU/SEFPO members who spend their careers being active in their union. They go to extraordinary lengths to bring workers together in solidarity in their workplaces, their sectors, their regions, and across the union as a whole.

Every year, members are chosen to honour with an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This year, we have five members to add to the growing list of members who have received this award.

Janice Hagan, Local 561

The first-ever Honourary Lifetime Membership Award was presented by JP Hornick to the family of Janice Hagan, the longtime Local 561 member at Seneca College who passed away in February 2026.

“Janice was an OPSEU/SEFPO member at Seneca College for 38 years and served as President of Local 561 for 30 of those years,” said Hornick.

“Janice was a giant in the labour space. She is remembered by her colleagues as someone for whom no issue was too big or too small to tackle, and who approached every issue with joy, optimism and radical encouragement. “

Beyond her own contributions as the backbone of her local, Janice built up generations of labour activists. She spent years as the trainer of “Stewards 101” – shoring up new OPSEU/SEFPO stewards across our union to be as fierce and as unapologetic as she was.

Janice is greatly missed – though her legacy will continue to live on through the thousands of stewards she’s trained, through her members and through her lasting impact on our union.

“It is my honour to invite Janice’s daughter, Jaqueline, and her husband, Greg,to come accept the award on her behalf,” said Hornick.

Patrick Riley, Local 553

Patrick Riley served as an OPSEU/SEFPO member for 36 years at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Patrick’s unwavering solidarity with workers and investment in others has been felt across OPSEU/SEFPO, including his involvement with the Coalition of Racialized Workers (CORW), which put forward his nomination.

His colleagues note that Patrick is respected not only for the roles he held, but for the way he carried them out, with integrity, humility, and a tireless willingness to step forward whenever members needed support.

Patrick’s impact cannot be measured only by meetings attended or titles held, but by the culture of unionism he helped build: one that is member-driven, respectful, courageous, and committed to making the workplace better.

His legacy is reflected in stronger structures, better-informed members, and a union community that is more resilient because of his efforts.

Congratulations Patrick Riley!

Greg Snider, Local 714

Greg served as Local President for Local 714 for 10 years and has been an inspiring leader in our labour movement; tirelessly advocating for the rights of workers with disabilities.

Greg’s lifetime work has propelled disability justice to the top of the union’s agenda, including his efforts alongside the late Carol McGregor to co-found and then co-chair the union’s first ever Disability Rights Caucus (DRC). He went on to spearhead the resolution that created the accessibility fund for OPSEU/SEFPO locals and members, which continues to this day.

In Thunder Bay, Greg worked supporting people with developmental disabilities in group homes for over a decade, as well as serving on the board of the Thunder Bay and Region Injured Workers support group, amongst many other initiatives.

Greg’s lifetime commitment to disability rights has been recognized by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and across the Canadian labour movement. We are excited to honour him here today as well. For his lifetime of service to OPSEU/SEFPO. Congratulations, Greg Snider!

Ben Treidlinger, Local 449

Ben got his start as an activist and member mobilizer within the OPS, and he went on to serve for 12 years on the Executive of Local 449 in Renfrew county until his retirement in 2017.

His activism over the years has taken him all over: he represented Region 4 on the NUPGE Fairness Express Bus to bring attention to Tax Fairness and Income Inequality, and was part of multiple OPS bargaining rounds.

Over the years, Ben has never been known to turn down an educational, the chance to lobby an MPP, or the opportunity to capture a rally, a strike or union gathering as an amateur photographer – hoping to inspire new interest and spread solidarity on social media.

Not one to sit idle, Ben has taken his activism into his retirement, serving now as the Vice Chair of the Retired Members Division, and he was recently appointed Sergeant at Arms for the Renfrew and District Labour Council, in between rounds of golf and tennis matches.

For his lifetime of service for OPSEU/SEFPO, congratulations to Ben Treidlinger!

Maggie Wakeford, Local 631

Maggie has been an OPSEU/SEFPO member for nearly two decades and has held many roles, including President of Local 631.

In 2008, marking the beginning of her OPSEU/SEFPO legacy, Maggie successfully led a unionizing campaign at CMHA Cochrane-Timiskaming, making it one of the first CMHA branches in Ontario to unionize.

As a fierce leader and advocate, she went on to lead 147 mental-health workers on a month-long labour dispute in 2024, during which the workers ultimately won a favourable agreement.

Maggie is known by her colleagues for dedicating an impressive amount of time to mentoring new unionists, is a bastion of solidarity, and has commanded the respect of her fellow members for her profound dedication to justice.

Congratulations Maggie Wakeford!

Rainford Jackson Education and Developmental Fund Award
Black Queer Youth Collective

The Rainford Jackson Education and Developmental Fund Award is given to support organizations or projects that aim to reduce racism and improve the condition of minority groups in our society through education and organizing.

Our winner this year is the Black Queer Youth Collective!

The Black Queer Youth Collective is a Black-led organization that has been working for the last nine years to improve the lives of Black 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through education, advocacy, and community organizing across the GTA.

By centering the lived experiences of Black queer and trans youth, the organization provides safe, affirming spaces, leadership development, and political education to challenge racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other intersecting forms of oppression.

Tatiana Ferguson accepted the award on behalf of the Black Youth Collective – Congratulations to Tatiana and everybody else involved with the collective.

Provincial Young Worker of the Year Award

This award goes to an OPSEU/SEFPO member who is 35 years of age or younger, in recognition of their union and community activism to promote workers’ rights and empower the next generation of workers.

Maggie Devine, Local 168

This year’s winner is Maggie Devine, a steward in Local 168 at the Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society and a passionate advocate for the young people in her workplace and community.

With tenacity and creativity, Maggie spearheaded the creation of and financing for a dedicated youth space called “The Green Room” – a therapeutic resource with a strong focus on empowering young voices and ensuring they feel seen, valued, included and – most importantly – prioritized.

Maggie also plays an active role in LGBTQIA2S+ events as a queer woman and looks at issues through an intersectional lens. She is the Co-Chair for the Youth Councils for OACAS (Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies) and SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression).

Maggie was presented with her award by last year’s Provincial Young Worker of the Year winner, Brianna Boyd. Congratulations Maggie Devine!

Tim Brown Award

The Tim Brown Award is presented to a person of First Nation status and non-status, Métis or Inuit background for their outstanding contributions to advancing the voice of Indigenous people within OPSEU/SEFPO and the labour movement.

Cristine Rego, Local 352

The winner of this year’s Tim Brown award was Cristine Rego from Local 352!

Cristine is a proud member of the Lac Seul First Nation and serves as an Equity Executive Member on the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board.

As a social worker and a social-justice activist, Cristine has committed her life’s work to changing health outcomes for Indigenous people through her work in child welfare, corrections, and education. In the colleges and universities sector, she has worked to decolonize curricula and inspire others to union activism.

Cristine is known by her colleagues for her humility, her expertise and her ability to unite traditional knowledge with union values to further Indigenous rights.

Congratulations to Cristine Riga!

Fred Upshaw Award of Merit (2 Recipients)

This award is presented to a racialized member of OPSEU/SEFPO who has demonstrated leadership qualities within the union and the community at large.

Elizabeth Ha, Local 154

Elizabeth Ha is the Vice-Chair of the Coalition of Racialized Workers (CORW) and has been involved for decades with the Ontario Federation of Labour’s fight for racialized and migrant workers. She was nominated by a number of her colleagues.

Last year, Elizabeth took on significant risk travelling to Egypt as part of the Global March to Gaza, making her way to the Rafah border to demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor and calling for the end of the ongoing genocide against Palestinian people.

Alongside thousands of activists, Elizabeth was detained in Egypt, subject to abuse, and eventually deported –all while raising global attention to human rights abuses in Gaza.

Immediately after her return, she continued her advocacy through webinars, events and media appearances, determined to share her experience and raise awareness of colonialism and apartheid.

Her bravery is unmatched, as is her unflinching stand in the face of injustice.

Elizabeth declined this award, instead dedicating it to other deserving members.

Samjhana (Sam) Karki, Local 228

Sam has served as President of Local 228 and has led the charge for justice and accountability within her local.

It can be difficult to rebuild member trust, and Sam has taken up this charge by leading with courage and a deep sense of responsibility for her members.

Sam is known as someone with great grit and determination, and who has shown dedication that has consistently gone above and beyond to fight for her members’ rights.

Congratulations Sam!

Human Rights Awards (2 Individual – 1 Local Recipients)

This award is presented to an individual and a local having made the most significant contribution to the advancement of human rights issues and the principles of equity.

Gillian Axten, Local 417

Gillian is a decades-long union activist and St. Lawrence College faculty member who has served as Lead Steward and co-chair of the Joint Grievance Scheduling Committee.

Gillian is a life-long disability-rights activist whose tenacity and passion have sustained the OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus for years, fighting for members and dedicating her time and efforts to making union spaces more inclusive.

Most recently, Gillian developed a “playing cards” icebreaker – representing eight different disability categories – to foster understanding, collaboration and conversation amongst members. This is one of the many ways her ingenuity and leadership helps members to move through difficult conversations, and towards greater understanding.

Congratulations to Gillian Axten!

Stacey Foster, Local 377

Stacey is an active steward in LBED, and an elected Region 3 representative for the Coalition of Racialized Workers (CORW).

Stacey has a rare ability to bring people into courageous conversations about equity, systemic racism, gender inequality, and social justice. She empowers women — especially Black and racialized women — to embrace their power, claim their voice, and understand their rights within both the union and their daily lives.

Known by her coworkers as someone who leads with grace, poise and integrity – Stacey is known for giving her time, heart and energy to ensure that all workers are protected and empowered.

Congratulations to Stacey Foster!

Local 145

OPSEU/SEFPO Local 145 is a composite local in Sarnia representing 500 members in the Hospital Professional division, Child Treatment, and Community Health Care at St. Joseph’s Hospice.

This award is granted to Local 145 in recognition of its advocacy and confrontation of anti-Palestinian racism. In late 2024, Local 145 was the first of 17 locals to submit a resolution calling on OPSEU/SEFPO to recognize anti-Palestinian racism as a distinct form of racism, which has since been passed by our union and by the Ontario Federation of Labour.

In OPSEU/SEFPO, this advocacy has included changing the statement of respect video and creating an educational course on anti-Palestinian racism.

As put by leaders of Local 145: “Our members all work in some form of health care and deeply understand we are all connected.”

Local 145 President Deborah Gordon accepted the award on behalf of the local. Congratulations to Deborah and everybody in Local 145!

Leah Casselman Award Presentation (3 Individual Recipients, and 1 Local Recipient)

The Leah Casselman Award is awarded to locals and individuals who best exemplify the spirit and intent of “mobilizing to win.”

Christine Kelsey, Local 416

Christine is President of the support-staff local at Algonquin College and was chair of the most recent college full-time support bargaining team.

Last fall, Christine bravely led 10,000 full-time college support staff on a province-wide strike. Through her steadfast commitment to implementing the Organizing for Power methodology to build and maintain solidarity, she helped achieve a historic 80 per cent participation strike vote.

Christine’s calm and inclusive leadership style, coupled with an iron will when sitting across from the employer, make her a force to be reckoned with. She is skilled in consensus building, listening to all members – even those who disagree – and then wielding that power against a recalcitrant employer when diplomacy fails.

Christine doesn’t shy away from the hard work it takes to win. As soon as the strike was over, she was already working to strengthen bonds between other college divisions, to share her experience, and build towards the next fight.

Congratulations to Christine Kelsey!

Aimie Kovacsik, Local 262

Aimie hails from Region 2 and is a mobilizer with the Worth Fighting For Campaign, ensuring that those left behind by the Ontario government’s unconstitutional Bill 124 finally receive the compensation they deserve.

Aimie, along with the rest of the self-proclaimed “Region 2 Pink Ladies,” have become trailblazers in uniting members and empowering them to stand up against an employer with a history of targeting activists. Aimee understood the task at hand – and excelled.

She didn’t only help organize a truly historic strike vote, her leadership helped unite the membership to turn down a forced offer in record numbers.

Her co-workers attest to her hard work, perseverance, and remark on how her approach makes everyone around her a little bit braver.

Congratulations to Aimie Kovacsik!

Cindy Mazan, Local 740

Cindy also hails from the Worth Fighting For Campaign and has been an exceptional leader in the Developmental Services sector.

She brings a deeply personal perspective to this work as a parent of a child that requires developmental services, which strengthens her commitment, compassion and advocacy, as well as inspiring those around her.

Her co-workers describe her tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to fighting for better for her co-workers and for the services upon which families depend.

Congratulations to Cindy Mazan!

Local 249

In the face of a difficult employer, workers at Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CSWDS) defied all odds and held the picket line for 117 days – over Christmas, New Years and through the depths of one of the coldest winters Ontario has had in recent memory.

Local 249 took its fight straight to Doug Ford at the recent PC Convention, built relationships with families and community, and showed us all that when we fight, we win.

Congratulations on your new deal – which saw higher wage increases than they’ve ever seen, retroactive pay, pay bumps for your lowest paid workers and protection against reprisals.

This fight was never just about workers – but a willingness to put it all on the line was also motivated by the quality of care you know your clients deserve.

Local 249 President Vanessa Edwards accepted the award on behalf of Local 249 — congratulations to all!

‘Caring for our communities and our world beyond our workplaces and our union’

The awards ceremony was closed out by OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President / Treasurer, Laurie Nancekivell.

“The members we’ve seen on this stage tonight are great examples of what OPSEU/SEFPO is all about,” said Nancekivell. “We’re about organizing. We’re about leadership and activism. We’re about fighting for human rights. We’re about healthy and safe workplaces. We’re about caring for our communities and our world beyond our workplaces and our union.”

The evening served as a powerful reminder that progress is driven by the dedication and courage of union activists who refuse to stand still. Their achievements not only deserve recognition but also inspire the continued fight for fairness, dignity, and justice in every workplace.

Let us remember that the work continues, and together, it will move forward; together we can accomplish big things!

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