My name is Brian Chang, I live in Toronto Centre, and I've got a lot to say.
In 2018, my income was just over $18,000 for the year. I worked pretty much the entire year doing contracts, writing articles, and training folks across Ontario. I did work for Universities, NGOs, community agencies, and news outlets. It seems ridiculous that someone could spend a year working and make so little. But that's what it was like working as a journalist, making $0.01 per word; being paid weeks and months after completing teaching contracts; spending time and money developing projects that don't get funded or approved.
The reality is that many people are facing this reality in our communities. Precarious work is rampant. Contract-to-contract work is normal. Employers increase their profit margins by offering no health benefits, no pensions, and basically providing nothing more than the bare minimum. It's garbage when the floor is so low for workers that they just can't get by. It's garbage when minimum wage is the maximum many workplaces want to pay, and they would pay you less if they could, and moreover that our elected officials let that become the norm.
So in 2019, when the chance to run for the Federal NDP in the election came up, I was mindful of just how difficult it would be. I am a Queer, disabled, Chinese-Jamaican, low-income person who had just started a new job. Who would even support or vote for me? Would I be okay putting myself out there in such a public way to most likely lose? Could I run a campaign against Liberals and Conservatives with huge donor pools with big fundraisers and big donors?
When I spoke to friends who were like me – trying to make it – I realized that we couldn't keep waiting for someone else to step up and run to meet our needs. I realized that the reason that Queer folks and other equity-seeking folks weren't making it to Parliament Hill was because we were waiting for it to happen, instead of trying to make it happen. I realized that I needed to step up if I wanted any hope of the world that I dream of, so I ran. And thousands of neighbours in Toronto Centre supported me with their money, time, and votes.
And along the way, we've made a difference in how members of our community see themselves. We've given a voice to everyday people living beautiful and meaningful lives but who are truly struggling. We've given a voice to people who don't see themselves reflected in elected office. We've given a voice to people who feel let down by the Liberals and Conservatives. And since I first ran in 2019, I've never stopped doing the work for our communities.
Over the years I've worked hard to support workers as a worker. I’ve fought for us at PSAC, SEIU Healthcare, and now OPSEU/SEFPO supporting solidarity and workers’ rights. I've organized thousands of workers across Ontario, led campaigns like We Own It and Keep Hydro Public, and bargained and fought in arbitration for enhancements that make a real difference in the lives of workers. The last four years of my life have been largely spent fighting for every penny we can for workers affected by the unconstitutional wage limits of Bill 124. My work at SEIU Healthcare was groundbreaking in setting standards for Bill 124 reopeners in healthcare.
I'm mindful of our future generations. Education is always core to my work. I’ve taught alongside Olivia Chow at the Chang School and the Institute for Change Leaders at Toronto Metropolitan University and across the province. I've fought against Anti-Asian Hate and environmental racism while fighting for racial justice in Canada and abroad. In addition to years of service with local organizations such as the 519, the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Asian Community AIDS Services, I’ve spent over a decade advocating for equity, fairness, and inclusion in our diverse communities. I've worked for and supported diverse candidates at every level of office because authentic representation matters.
For our environment and future, I have spent my education and a lot of my activism fighting for ecological and social justice. I have an undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy and Practice from the University of Toronto and a Master of Environmental Studies from York University. Over the years this diverse work has included studying and writing about sub-national climate change policy, participating in the critique of refurbishment of nuclear power in Ontario with Greenpeace, serving on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Environmental Law Association, and tackling urban inequalities in provision of public services. I've spent years focused on environmental justice and equity – this work is absolutely essential.
I'm asking you to join with me to make our communities stronger.
It takes all of us. And I'm in it for you.
