Union Beginnings
Chris was born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario—a city built by the labour movement. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother all worked at General Motors and were proud union members with the UAW, CAW, and UNIFOR.
The General Motors strike of 1937 courtesy of the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University.
Before they unionized in 1938, his grandfather and great-grandfather worked long hours in poverty. It was through organizing and collective action that they won fair wages, safer working conditions, and the ability to support their families. Because of their fight, Chris had the opportunity to grow up in a stable, middle-income household.
For Chris, standing in solidarity with working people isn't just a belief—it's part of his family history. He knows that unions build strong communities, and that the values of a union are at the heart of the Ontario NDP.
Off the Sidewalk and onto the Streets
Before entering politics, Chris was a teacher who spent years in Toronto classrooms. He taught at Ryerson Community School and Central Technical School, working closely with students from diverse backgrounds and communities. Hit time in the classroom and as a parent shaped his deep belief that every student deserves access to high-quality, well-funded public education.
Chris and local schoolchildren at a rally against Bill 28 used the notwithstanding clause to strip education workers of their rights.
Chris didn't just teach—he took action. When Liberal and Conservative government began slashing education funding, he stood up and spoke out. He organized with parents, educators, and students to protect schools from cuts that would hurt learning, increase class sizes, and undermine support for the most vulnerable.
Chris knows firsthand the difference a strong public education system makes. It's why he continues to dight for classrooms, not boardrooms—because every child deserves the chance to success, not matter their postal code.
A Champion for Public Services and Community Health
Chris has spent his career standing up for public services and the people who rely on them. As an adjunct professor at York University, he saw how underfunding and precarious work were impacting both students and faculty. He went on to get his PhD in Education and wrote his thesis on the impact of university costs and student debt on students in Ontario.
Chris as a TDSB Trustee in 2012 courtesy of The Toronto Star.
Chris later joined the Toronto Board of Health after his son’s friend was killed in a random act of gun violence. He worked with the Board and together they were able to convince the city to take a public health approach to gun violence by addressing the poverty that is its root cause.
As a two-term Toronto District School Board trustee, Chris was a strong and steady voice for students, families, and frontline education workers. He fought to protect schools from closures and cuts, and worked to ensure every child—regardless of background—had the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
Your Member of Provincial Parliament for Spadina—Fort York
Chris was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election and re-elected in 2022 and 2025 to represent Spadina—Fort York. He is the Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform, Technology, and Sport.
Chris at a news conference at Queen's Park with post-secondary students, staff, and faculty.
Chris brings both experience and heart to his role at Queen’s Park. He believes that he doesn't go to Queen's Park alone, but with the community that elected him.
In his time as MPP, Chris has led and supported numerous initiatives, including:
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Advocating for real solutions to the homelessness crisis by working with residents, business owners, housing advocates, and unhoused people.
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Holding regular town halls to bring the community together around urgent issues like education cuts, affordable housing, and the climate crisis.
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Fighting for the daycares and schools Spadina—Fort York needs, so every child has a chance to thrive.
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Co-founding the Spadina—Fort York Community Care program, which feeds 6,000 people per week.
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Establishing the Federation of South Toronto Residents’ Association (FoSTRA) to unify community voices and strengthen local advocacy.
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Introducing a Condo Transparency Motion to protect condo buyers and owners from exploitation, and to bring fairness and clarity to pre-construction contracts.
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Proposing a bold plan to build 69,000 affordable and 30,000 supportive housing units over the next decade, funded by the province.
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Working alongside families to create real opportunities for students with disabilities, including pathways to paid employment.
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Pushing for the reversal of OSAP cuts and introducing legislation to convert student loans to grants and eliminate interest on existing loans.
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Proposing a tuition rebate of $1,000 for full-time and $500 for part-time post-secondary students to make education more accessible.
Whether he’s speaking in the legislature or organizing in the community, Chris is focused on delivering results for the people he represents—and building a province where no one is left behind.