Seventy-five IAM delegates travelled to Parliament Hill for Lobby Day. Representing a wide range of sectors from across the country, our members came together with a shared mission: to engage with MPs and national leaders, demand meaningful improvements, and champion the rights and respect all workers in Canada deserve. Delegates strategized and geared up with enthusiasm and determination to demand for change.
The delegates priorities were important issues like strong public service, trade deals that protect and build good jobs, investing in infrastructure like hospitals, bridges and ports that in turn creates good jobs, tackling youth unemployment, the affordability crisis, rent control, the privatization of our airports, 10 dollar a day child care and so much more.
From morning to late afternoon the delegates demonstrated their strength and resolve to get the job done and made sure that the message was delivered loud and clear.
This day of action is a testimony to the power of Solidarity and the impact it has to create a better future for all Canadians.
Thank you to all the delegates that participated with dedication and passion on this Day of Action!
Local 1231 Delegates reports :
Michell Pyne Steward Peel : I had the pleasure to attend my first Lobbying in Ottawa with over 300 attendees from a variety of different unions.
We had groups with members from various union to sit and talk with different MP of political parties.
Unfortunately the 2 MP’s that were assigned to my group were not able to be present, however their assistants were able to sit down and speak with us. It was a great opportunity to have our voice heard about the challenges we face in health care but also just speaking about labour in all different sectors in Canada.
I feel like we were heard and that we will get results from our conversation with follow ups.
Susanna Duncan Chief Steward Peel : This was my second year participating in Lobbying Day, with many more to come. Although we were unable to meet directly with our MP, Acan, due to a family emergency, our team had a productive and meaningful discussion with her two representatives.
One representative shared that his mother is a PSW, and he also previously worked at the LCBO giving him firsthand appreciation for the value and impact of unions. The second representative shared that his mother is a Nurse, which helped create an immediate connection and understanding of the challenges facing frontline workers.
These conversations flowed naturally and allowed us to highlight the ongoing issues such as more paid sick days, possibility of implementing mental days also including the need for stronger protections, better support, and meaningful change. The experience reinforced why advocacy is essential and how powerful our collective voice can be.
I am proud to represent our members once again and continue working towards a fairer and more equitable future.
Nneka Nwachukwu Steward York: This year marked my second time participating in Lobby Day, and it continues to be an experience I truly value. It is always an honour to represent our members and ensure that the voices of frontline workers are heard directly by our elected officials.
Our delegation met with Members of Parliament to discuss critical issues affecting workers.
I focused on healthcare workers and the ongoing challenges of staffing shortages, burnout, fair wages, mental-health supports, and the need for strong federal investment in publicly funded care. MPs heard clearly that the current system depends heavily on PSWs and other frontline workers who are doing essential work under increasing pressure.
I shared real experiences from the field and emphasized the urgent need for solutions that improve working conditions, stabilize the workforce, and strengthen the care Canadians rely on. The conversations were constructive, and MPs expressed appreciation for the insights frontline workers bring to policy discussions.
As a second-time delegate, I am proud to continue this work. Each Lobby Day reminds me of the power of showing up, advocating together, and keeping these issues at the forefront. I look forward to seeing concrete actions reflected in upcoming federal budgets and policies, especially those that support retention, fair wages, mental-health resources, and improved staffing levels.
Thank you to the union for giving me the opportunity to represent our members once again. I remain committed to advocating for safer workplaces, stronger public services, and respect for all workers.
Nahiyan Siddique Trustee :
This year marked my second time participating in Lobby Day, and it was a valuable opportunity to engage with federal representatives, advocate for frontline healthcare workers, and build connections with union business representatives. The day allowed me to share firsthand experiences from the healthcare sector and contribute to discussions on improving working and living conditions for PSWs and other frontline staff.
Meeting with Michael Ma
Member of Parliament, Markham–Unionville Conservative Party of Canada
I met with MP Michael Ma, who represents my home community of Markham–Unionville. He was open and welcoming, and encouraged me to contact his constituency office whenever I need support or assistance. He shared that he is actively working on improvements for long-term care (LTC) and retirement homes in our region.
I advocated for increased tax credits and financial incentives for PSWs, highlighting the essential role we play in the healthcare system. MP Ma expressed interest in continuing dialogue on strengthening the PSW workforce.
Meeting with Senator Kim Pate
Ontario – Independent Senators Group
I visited Senator Kim Pate’s office with a fellow healthcare worker. Together, we advocated for reforms addressing the housing crisis, affordable housing options for healthcare providers, enhanced tax benefits, and an increase in Employment Insurance (EI) benefit percentages. Senator Pate’s office was receptive and acknowledged the urgent need to improve supports for frontline workers.
Conclusion
Lobby Day 2025 was a meaningful and productive experience. Speaking directly with MPs and Senators helped amplify the concerns of PSWs and frontline workers. It also strengthened my understanding of the advocacy process and helped build valuable connections with union representatives. I look forward to continuing this work and contributing to positive changes in the healthcare sector.
Lystra Mohammed – Secretary Treasurer :
We met with the group on Monday at 4 pm, register and got to know the members we will be lobbying with. The IAM stood out in the group, because we had the most delegates, approximately 75 from the 328 members. My first group was from various sector, healthcare Airport Industry, and the food service industry.
I met with my group on Tuesday morning the MP was Charles Sousa from Mississauga -Lakeshore, Liberal Party of Canada. The group was all prepared to meet with the MP and asked all the questions needed to be asked. The MP was very receptive and listened to our concerns, what can he do to make our life more affordable was one of our questions, we talk with him about Housing , one of the delegates talk about having to live far from where she work because of the cost of rent in the GTA area and she could not afford to rent close to her work, we talk about rent control and having a rental bills of rights .I talk with the MP about the healthcare sector, how burn out we can get and we need more sick days, because Doug Ford took away the 2 sick days we got from the Government. I talk about healthcare workers should get a solid wage with benefits all over the board , mental health is a concern and should be on the employer list. It was a productive meeting with every one getting a change to talk with the MP.
My second meeting was with Sandra Cobena MP from Newmarket- Aurora Conservative Party of Canada. The delegates was from a broad range of sectors Healthcare, Airport Industry and Electrical Industry. It was a very good meeting Sandra listened to all of our concerns with enthusiastic ear, she agreed upon most of what we said, I talk about the $10 a day daycare and how it would benefit the mothers, so they can go back to work, and not worry about paying so much for daycare. We talk about the Infrastructure that builds up Canda, and the Electricians talk about keeping the jobs in Canada, how we have all the resources here in Canada and should be use up, especially the lumber and steel, and should not be importing so many goods from the US, especially with the high tariffs. The group left the 3 brochures with Sandra MP she was very eager to read it, will bring it up in her meetings with her Party. It was a very good meeting.
Theresa Bukoroh – Chief Steward Toronto:
I was one of the delegates who were honoured to participate in lobbying in Ottawa with the Canadian Labour Congress which comprises of a group of Union workers across Canada who came together for one common goal which is our issues and policies.
For the sake of our members who may not know what lobby is, here is a brief narrative for better understanding.
A lobby is when Union group activists bring their range of policies and issues which impact Canadian workers, their families and the communities they live in to the elected officials (the politicians). And these communities are the elected officials constituencies as well.
Every election time, the politicians lay out their platforms or agendas of which does not accurately reflect the hard worker’s issues because the politicians do not have much knowledge of the union working family’s policies.
So, on Monday, November 24th to 26th, all the union group activists across Canada gathered in solidarity in Ottawa to meet with the politicians to have a face to face conversation about our issues and asked for their support. Therefore, lobbying by the union group activists is the only great opportunity to let our politicians know the issues facing Canadian workers across the country. “Workers Together” was our theme.
Having said the above, I was honoured as a first timer to join four (4) other sisters from other unions of which we were assigned to meet with Mr. Jacob Mantle, PC. MP for York – Durham region.
My group talked about housing, safety/sick days. We also requested the MP to support us in bringing the $1,100.00 refundable tax credit for PSW’s as part of budget 2025 to take effect this year, 2025 and not 2026. It said in the budget that this new tax credit will come into effect in 2026 and not 2025. So we requested the MP to support us starting from 2025 and also to all workers across the country not just PSW’s. My lobbying group stressed to the MP that this PSW’s $1,100.00 was not new, rather, it was promised by the previous government (Trudeau) but it was never given to the PSW’s. I can say that the MP was very receptive of our issues and all of our requests that were brought forward before him. We had a chance to leave him with an in-depth print out of our concerns and he gladly received it from us to read for better understanding.
Overall, the lobbying was a great experience to me and I am grateful to take a part knowing that our voices were heard with great expectation.
Drupati Bazil – Steward Toronto :
On November 25, 2025, I had the opportunity of experiencing my first lobbying at Parliament Hill, Ottawa, with members of other unions across the country.
I found it amazing to see how members from other unions came together to share their stories with Members of Parliament (MP) regarding the economic challenges that are impacting our daily lives.
My first meeting was with the Honourable MP Salma Zahid, from Scarborough Centre, where I was joined by three other members from different unions to discuss matters related to healthcare, security and infrastructure.
The second meeting was with the Honourable MP Julie Dzerowicz, from Davenport, along with four other members from different unions where we shared our opinions on the rising cost of rent, food, healthcare and the poor wages and salaries that workers in Ontario receive.
One of the members shared a personal concern that if her partner were to die now that she would not be able to pay her rent and would most likely face eviction. Another member commented that she is currently living in a two-bedroom rented unit and she doesn’t get paid enough as a healthcare worker to cover her rent and buy food for her family
MP Dzerowicz was very receptive to the concerns raised, listened attentively and expressed empathy because she herself is constantly engaged with PSWs who are caring for her elderly mother.
My overall experience was very educational and empowering and was not just about advocacy, but was about the dynamics of the stories being shared.
LOBBY DAY PICTURES :
In Conclusion : “When we lobby, we’re not asking for change – we’re insisting on fairness for the workers who keep this country moving.”
Remember “Real change happens when organized voices refuse to be ignored-that’s the power of lobbying.”
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