Message from the Co-chairs

I am Nia Gillies, my pronouns are she/her. I am an out Bisexual post-op Transgender woman. I have been with ESDC for almost 13 years and I am currently a Program Services officer with Pensions in Victoria, BC. I also have been with the EPN Steering Committee since 2017. I am a positive space ambassador and facilitator for the Western and Territory region, and I volunteer with the Victoria Refugee Board aiding with the settling of Trans refugees who are arriving in Canada. I also work with Christopher and other ESDC Trans employees on ESDC’s upcoming Guide for Transitioning Employees, their Co-Workers and Managers.

I have worked with Service Canada for five years as of August 2020, and been a member of the EPN Steering Committee since August 2019. I am an openly queer and genderqueer person, and am a positive space ambassador and facilitator for Ontario region; I work on the Ontario Regional Inclusivity Accessibility Network (“ORIAN”), as well as recently being hired with the Joint Learning Program as a facilitator. I have been a principle author on ESDC’s upcoming Guide for Transitioning Employees, Their Co-Workers and Managers for the past year, and I am an activist for the queer and trans community outside of work as well, giving talks, interviews, and training sessions. When I lived out East, I worked with the board of directors for Nova Scotia’s Brain Injury Association as an advocate and survivor. I am excited to be Co-Chairing the Employee Pride Network with Nia, and to help propel our Network with the help of the full steering committee into an engaged and safe place for all our LGBTQ2+ members, questioning and closeted friends and co-workers, as well as allies.