Cindy Roks is a Program Advisor for IESO and a former Unit Director. She was a lead when the committee launched. Morgan Koch has served as committee chair since 2019. She works as Criminal Duty Counsel at Legal Aid Ontario
When did the committee launch?
CINDY: The founding meeting was Oct. 27, 2017.
March 4, 2017 - A 2SLGBTQI+ workshop is held. Society members head from labour movement representatives and engaged in visioning for the Pride and Solidarity Committee.
What inspired the creation of the committee?
CINDY: Former Society President Scott Travers and I recognized that there was a need to have an equity committee for our members who identified as 2SLGBTQI+. At the former Ontario Power Authority (OPA), there were openly gay members in different positions, including leadership, and I thought it was important to continue that culture when we merged with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
We did a callout and had a meeting at the Society office. We brought in a couple of guests from the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), and we facilitated some workshops. We asked, “What could this committee do? What was needed in the Society?” We established that the committee would be open to allies, not just members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
It was now-Secretary Treasurer Laurie Reid, then-President Scott Travers, organizer Michelle LeBlanc and me at the very beginning, writing the terms of reference and trying to figure out how we can make this equity committee work for our members.
MORGAN: I became the chair in 2019. We all agreed we wanted someone Queer to take over, so that became me. I know what it’s like to feel judged for who you are at work, and I want people to know that I will always be there to support you! I hope that people don’t have to feel so alone.
OPG Unit Director Susan Sloan (left) with Cindy Roks (right) at the 2018 IFPTE Convention
What does allyship mean to you?
CINDY: It means using my story and my abilities to make people feel safe, and to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity. It means using the power that I have as an ally to do what I can to make everyone feel included.
What is one way the committee has had an impact on the union or its members?
MORGAN: I had some people from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) speak at Council last year about trans-inclusive bargaining language. Bruce Power actually enacted elements of CUPE’s guide in their collective agreement. I thought that was just fabulous! The Bruce Local just went and did it!
We hold so many events that Society members can get involved in. And I think the more things that we do, the more members want to reach out and join. We’ve held four movie nights in the last few months. We screened Thelma and Lousie for International Women’s Day in March in partnership with United Sisters. A lot of our members are young, so they’ve never seen it!
Morgan Koch (far right) with other members of the 2024 Toronto Pride Planning Committee.
What is a committee campaign or initiative that is memorable for you?
MORGAN: We’ve really grown the Pride Parade. When we started marching in Toronto in 2017, we had three members. This year, we had interest from 29 people. I’ve had people from all the locals contacting me. I even had a waitlist. The whole Society executive – Laurie, Michelle, and Chris - marched with our flags. I know that means a lot to a lot of people, and it means the world to me!
"We’ve really grown the Pride Parade. When we started marching in Toronto in 2017, we had three members. This year, we had interest from 29 people."
This was the first year we marched in regional pride parades, including Thunder Bay and Timmins. I am trying to get members involved all over Ontario.
This was also the first year we marched in Toronto’s Trans march. It was important for us to show solidarity with the trans community, given that transgender rights have been under attack across Canada.
What’s the best way for members to get involved in the committee?
MORGAN: They can reach out to me! We have an e-mail address: [email protected]. We meet once a month. If you want to receive our emails, I can add you to our email list. And come to our movie nights. We have pizza, wine and candy!
June 23, 2019 - The Society contingent at Toronto's annual Pride Parade.
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