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"John led a life in service to people with disabilities, fighting for recognition and equity. His work at NUPGE helped inspire our members, and others in the labour movement, to work for fairness and to break down barriers. His commitment was unwavering, and we are all better for his efforts. We will miss him." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Toronto (26 April 2022) — OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus has chosen to honour one of the union's most valued members that had served on its caucus, also a member who cherished all injured workers and their plight towards fair and equitable treatment, John Rae.
Disability Caucus honours life of activist
John was totally blind most of his life and lobbied on eliminating existing barriers with an overarching goal of creating a fully accessible inclusive society where those with disabilities could participate with dignity both within their workplace and the broader society or and in their communities.
John worked for the Ontario government for 24 years before taking early retirement. He worked as a Consultant in the Centre for Disability and Work, an Education Officer for the Employment Equity Commission, and a Program Officer with the Accessibility directorate of Ontario.
Long history of leadership in labour movement
He was also elected to offices in Canada’s labour movement at the local, provincial and national levels. He was a local steward, on OPSEU/SEFPO’s Race Relations and Minority Rights Committee,and a member of the Disability Rights Caucus and the Provincial Human Rights Committee. He also served on the Canadian Labour Congress’s Disability Rights Working Group, and NUPGE’s Equality Committee on Human Rights and International Solidarity.
John has also held the position as Board and committee Chair of many disabilities and broader human rights organizations, 2 at the national level. At the time of John’s passing, he was a member of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities National Council, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians’ Government Relations Committee, and a Board member of both the Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic and PAL Reading Service.
"John led a life in service to people with disabilities, fighting for recognition and equity," said Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "His work at NUPGE helped inspire our members, and others in the labour movement, to work for fairness and to break down barriers. His commitment was unwavering, and we are all better for his efforts. We will miss him."
Sudden passing
On April 8, 2022, John passed away, suddenly, after a typical whirlwind day where he had a Red Lobster meal (his favorite place to eat) the night before with his OPSEU/SEFPO brother Greg Snider. John followed through with his plans to join the OPSEU/SEFPO Convention crowd on Friday April 8. He met up with the Disability Rights Caucus at our booth in the Convention Marketplace, while supporting Ukraine. Greg and Sandra Snider, along with Cindy Haynes went to lunch with John. There was plenty of laughter, sharing of stories, political opinions, as well as issues closer to home. Little did we know, minutes after eating, John would be leaving us. He was a priceless treasure, an asset to all the committees, boards, and groups he was involved with. John will be greatly missed by all.