Empower Immigrants

Empowering Leaders,Transforming Communities: My Journey with the SEIU healthcare Leadership Academy.?Why Politics matters! The last three days spent training with the SEIU Healthcare Leadership Academy program were nothing short of transformative. The program deepened our understanding of why politics matter and underscored the importance of educating others about political engagement. Here’s a breakdown of how I spent this enriching experience: Day 1: On the first day, all SEIU Healthcare political action committee leaders, including myself, gathered for rehearsals. It was a remarkable opportunity to connect with brilliant-minded leaders from across Ontario. They shared insights from their respective leadership academies, discussing challenges faced and achievements made. The enthusiasm and commitment to our collective vision as a political action committee were inspiring and reinforced the importance of our work. Day 2: The second day marked the official start of the Leadership Academy program. It was exhilarating to see members of SEIU Healthcare come together in support. Our session opened with a powerful statement from our Treasurer, Tyler Downey who commended us on our achievements as members and leaders. Tyler educated us on the detrimental effects of healthcare privatization and criticized the current administration for its impact on the healthcare system. He emphasized the necessity of voting for a government that supports public healthcare and prioritizes the well-being of the people over profit. Various leaders presented progress reports on their efforts to educate and mobilize members. In my region, we conducted door-to-door canvassing in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, signing up individuals who, like us, are dissatisfied with the current administration and eager for change. The day concluded with a spirited karaoke session, fostering camaraderie among participants. Day 3: The final day featured Laura Walton, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour and member of the CUPE Ontario Executive Board. Laura shared her experience leading 55,000 workers across Ontario in a two-day strike in November 2022, protesting the Ford government's use of the notwithstanding clause to impose a contract on CUPE education workers. Her powerful account highlighted the need for collective action against a government that prioritizes its own interests over those of the people and workers. This underscored the importance of educating ourselves, our colleagues, and our families to vote for a government that truly represents and serves the people. The SEIU Healthcare Leadership Academy program was an eye-opening experience that reinforced the critical role of political engagement. It is imperative that we continue to educate and mobilize our communities to advocate for a government that supports public healthcare and prioritizes the well-being of its citizens. Thank you Tyler Downey, Jackie Walker and every member and Leaders of SEIU PAC