Presented by Douglas College
A networking evening featuring guest speaker MLA Judy Darcy.
Judy Darcy has been a lifelong feminist and activist, leading successful campaigns for equal pay, childcare, seniors' care & clean water.
When elected CUPE National President in 1991, she was the only woman to lead a national union in Canada. She has been a leader in breaking down barriers for women and under-represented groups, and initiated a successful court challenge on benefits for same-sex partners that helped pave the way for recognition of equal marriage.
Judy Darcy was elected MLA for New Westminster in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. On July 18, 2017 she was appointed by Premier Horgan to serve as BC’s first – and Canada’s first - Minister for Mental Health and Addictions.
As MLA she has worked tirelessly to get results for people in her community – from a rent bank to prevent homelessness and improved bus service to seismic upgrading of schools, a new Pattullo Bridge and a new high school.
As Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, she has taken urgent action to combat the devastating overdose crisis that is affecting families and communities across the province, including increasing the number of overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites and access to naloxone, and expanding treatment and recovery options. She is also forging ahead with her work to create a seamless and coordinated mental health and addictions system in British Columbia – focused on children and youth - so that families can get the help they need, when they need it.
Born in Denmark, Minister Darcy’s family immigrated to Canada and shared many of the challenges that new Canadians face. She is married to human rights and labour lawyer Gary Caroline and has an adult son. She enjoys the Royal City Farmers’ Market, devouring good novels, hiking, kayaking, and watching the ever-changing activity and light on the Fraser River from her windows.
