38 year old social activist Michelle Bilek, a long standing supporter of democracy, human rights, equality and the environment and advocate against violence and poverty is driven to challenge the status quo and make a difference in the lives of ordinary Canadians. Michelle works tirelessly for those less fortunate and those that feel they do not have a voice in the community. Michelle worked as a high school teacher with the Toronto District School Board, in long-term care in Peel Region as a Community Resource Manager and at Princess Margaret Hospital in Psychosocial Education.
Michelle is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS), a Board member with the United Nations Association in Canada (Toronto Chapter), a member of the Council of Canadians, Interpares, and Fair Vote Canada. She is also a guest editor with Canadian Women’s Studies Magazine and a member and participant in the Peel Poverty Action Group, Habitat for Humanity, Make Poverty History and Equal Voice, an organization that promotes the election of women at all levels of government.
Michelle is a committed progressive who was an executive member of the Oakville New Democratic Party Riding Association for 5 years before returning to Mississauga in June 2008. Michelle believes that both Conservative and Liberal governments with their mirror-image elitist policies have left an increasing number of Canadians without meaningful representation in government. The NDP works with its allies in labour, peace and environmental movements, as well as other progressive organizations, to create policies and an economic system based on inclusion, cooperation, justice and fairness.
Michelle was the financial agent for the Oakville NDP during the Provincial Election of 2007, the Oakville Federal NDP candidate in 2008 and the Mississauga-Erindale Federal NDP candidate in May 2011, where she ran a spirited campaign that championed the rights of all Canadians and fought for universal health care, an end to poverty, public education, pension protection, job creation and environmental sustainability – Michelle’s campaign forced public debate on an alternative view for society, Canada and the world and built a strong base of support in Mississauga-Erindale.
Michelle’s political values come from her upbringing and education. Michelle has received an Honours Degree in Psychology & Sociology from McMaster, an Honours Degree in Women’s Studies & Gender Studies from York and is completing a Master’s Degree in Women’s Studies at York.
As an undergraduate, Michelle’s family lost their house because of financial difficulties and Michelle was forced into homelessness for a period of time, sleeping in the back of her car while completing her education.In her 20’s, Michelle struggled for many years with health problems and was near death.Michelle cares deeply about sustaining and improving our health care system and eradicating poverty in Canada and throughout the world. Michelle believes that with all the wealth in the world poverty, malnutrition and homelessness are completely unnecessary - a shameful disgrace, if not criminal.
Michelle believes a “better way” can be achieved by creating a society based on inclusion, fairness and equality for all, approaching the world with peace and understanding, and caring for Mother Earth with management for sustainability.
Ontario's parliament needs more genuine, caring people with vision and the platform for a better quality of life for all Canadians – and the drive to fight for it.Mississauga-Erindale could have no better representative than Michelle Bilek.
