The Grey Bruce Labour Council has named David McLaren as the Activist of the Year.
McLaren became an employee of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in 1990, and later moved on to running as a federal NDP candidate in 2015, but has continued his activism work even after retiring.
Nowadays, he puts his effort into helping workers get a living wage.
He says it feels good to be recognized for his work, and says he appreciates that the GBLC supports workers.
“The Labour Council has done a good job, I think, in raising workers’ issues in Grey-Bruce Owen Sound, and they certainly do support the members around the table. And I’m glad to see that they’re also supporting things like a living wage and a right to strike.”
McLaren also spends his time working to help the homeless.
“Part of the secret of being successful in you’re outside of government looking in, is to pick those battles that appear, and the homelessness problem has appeared.”
He says that there is a need to put an end to homelessness, so for now that’s where he’ll be focusing his efforts.
