Speech to Presidents’ Council

I imagine that the first time many of you met me was when I was featured in the MTS campaign My Classroom, Our Future where I spoke about the need to increase mental health supports in schools and shared my story as a non-binary educator.

It’s logical then that this campaign, along with my general state of queerness, significantly influenced how people saw me the first time I ran for PX: as a one-issue candidate. I know this perception to be true, because in the intervening years, a number of you here have told me so.

At that point, I was still relatively new to working with MTS. As an outspoken member of a marginalized group, I took the risk of being pigeon-holed. And at that moment in time, I was ok being seen as the queer candidate or the equity pick, knowing that it would take time to change the narrative. That it would be up to me to change peoples’ minds.

In May of 2021, I was elected to the Provincial Executive as the only new member amidst a group of incumbents. The learning curve was steep, but I did not hesitate to dive right in. I took on chairing and joining a variety of committees, not afraid of the hard work ahead.

Over the past four years I have grown significantly, developing my understanding of equity, decolonization, and truth. Additionally, I have sought out training and professional development opportunities which have helped me better understand my fiduciary duty as a member of the Executive.

And I have also had the opportunity to work with, learn from, and engage in conversations with many of you. Together we have discussed the current state of education, we have strategized, and I’ve listened to your input about how MTS can better serve us all. I’ve never hesitated to raise these suggestions at the PX table.

The voices of Local Presidents are valuable and the insights you gain while supporting Members should play a large part in driving our political action and strategic direction. There must be open lines of communication and a clear understanding of how we can support each other in our connected, though different, roles. It is only through conversation that we build trust, and it is my hope that we can have those conversations, as difficult as they can be at times.

Because I honestly believe that embracing a range of perspectives, lived experiences, and opinions makes us stronger, as individuals and as a union.

And the Vice President role is made for engaging with ideas. Chairing a number of PX committees, collaborating with the MTS President, COSL Chair, ÉFM President, SAGEs, and members of MTS staff all provide an opportunity to build and sustain strong, respectful, and reciprocal relationships, something that is essential in the work of a union.

And as someone with organizing experience, I will use what I’ve learned through participating in grassroots movements like Safe September, Protect Ed, and Bar None to educate members and the public about important labour and social issues; I believe that “perfect is the enemy of good” and that we can’t be afraid to speak up publicly, letting our members know where we stand. It’s better to show humility if we get something wrong than to say nothing at all. Silence is all too often read not as being cautious, but as being out of touch, disengaged, or, in some cases complicit.

In order to broaden our perspective, we need to seek out opportunities for relationship building with stakeholders so that we can be heard at a range of tables, even ones that folks don’t initially think to invite us to. We also need to remember that to support the Members we are accountable to, leadership must provide ready-to-use tools and regular training to support those — like yourselves — who are supporting Manitoba educators every day. And PX needs to figuratively AND literally show up for you and your members, demonstrating that we are committed not to just hearing them, but ensuring they feel heard.

I will work diligently to strike a balance between political action and the VP’s governance duties like updating the Governance Manual, and assisting with on-boarding and mentoring new PX members.

But what I’ve mentioned here can only be done effectively if the organization is healthy. We can’t be proactive when we are just barely keeping afloat.

Changes need to be made, certainly, but we must also spend time sitting with people’s hurt and finding our way through it together. And we all have a role to play in healing this place.

Because we have lost a lot: direction, cohesiveness, reputation, joy, and trust. While we don’t need to dwell in the past, we cannot move forward without, as I like to say, perhaps too often, naming it. I hope that by being present at McMaster House and Bradley Square I can help get us where we need to be.

MTS is an incredible resource for our members. Having just lost my partner earlier this year, I would not be running for Vice President today if not for the care and support of numerous Staff Officers, the check-ins and advocacy from DBP, and the incredible history of negotiation and bargaining that has allowed me to take the time I need to heal. We must not forget that history — and those who came before us — as we look forward to a stronger, more responsive MTS.

Thank you, also, to the folks in this room for the support you have given me in the past.

I hope that you’ll support my bid to be the next MTS Vice-President.