Wil Osbourne-Sorrell

I’ve run as a GPO candidate once in 2014, and the Green Party has always aligned most with my own values. I’ve recently become very involved in human rights activism, changing careers mid-life from a role in IT to a role in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as an Equity and Inclusion Advisor at Fanshawe College. I am also starting my undergrad in Equity, Diversity and Human Rights through Laurentian starting in January. While the GPO is known for its role in environmental activism, I’d like to bring my role in human rights activism to the GPO candidacy pool. It has been a very long journey over the past 10 years since I last ran for the GPO and I feel that my current skillset more closely aligns with who I am as a person and feel more ready to be my authentic self as a candidate.

I’ve researched GPO statements on EDI and there isn’t much, so I think I can do more to make the party known for not just environmental activism, but human rights activism as well. I also plan to study how climate justice interacts with human rights, as equity deserving groups are disproportionately affected by climate change.

All this is to say that I’m more excited than ever to put my name forward as a possible candidate for the GPO.

Biography 10 years ago I ran as a Candidate for the GPO, but was not my authentic self at the time. I was miserable and did not realize how miserable I was in my life. I was in a dead end career that made me especially unhappy, was struggling with my mental health, and overall was not at the best state in my life.

The past 10 years have been the most impactful 10 years I’ve had and have truly shaped who I am as a person today. After the election in 2014 I went into a downward spiral. While having a mental health breakdown may seem like a low point, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me as it helped me reexamine where I was and where I wanted to be. To that end I started seeking out roles that filled my passion.

I’ve worked with the United Way locally in many capacities, most recently as chair of their API Committee working towards equitable and diverse investments in the community.

The most impactful thing coming out of my mental health crisis was chaning my career 2.5 years ago and becoming an Equity and Inclusion Advisor at Fanshawe College. I’ve also taken on the role in my Union as the Alternate to the Provincial Human Rights Committee and have taken a certificate in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion online through the University of British Columbia.

While most people would not be thankful for a mental health breakdown, I truly think it was the best thing for me as I am now happier than I have ever been thanks to changes I might not have made otherwise.