May 29th – USJE’S 2025 Equity Conference wrapped up its 3rd full day of activities at the Westin Nova Scotian late last evening.
The morning began with Disability Rights advocate and academic Dr Tammy Bernasky, who is also an Assistant Professor at Cape-Breton University. She gave a compelling presentation on the imperative to increase efforts for disability inclusion in the workplace. Dr Bernasky highlighted the ongoing challenges experienced by individuals whose disabilities are not immediately recognizable, or that are often invisible.
She spoke of adopting a rights-based framework where individuals living with disabilities are not seen as the exception, but simply individuals like everyone else who should have access to meaningful work, barrier free travel and transportation, a fulfilling family life, among other experiences. As a global activist in this regard, USJE appreciated hearing about the gains being made at the United Nations and closer to home.
Three of USJE’s members, Tracy Coates, Annie Lacombe and Laura Wildly, followed Dr. Bernasky’s talk with a workshop style event where delegates were asked to undertake various, everyday tasks as if they had diminished physical capacities (i.e. sight, movement, neuro-divergence). It was a revealing experience for many delegates who highlighted that they had never thought through the challenges of having a disability while at work.
Following the lunch break, USJE welcomed Chair of the Nova Scotia Labour Board and Queer advocate, Jasmine Walsh to provide opening remarks on her experience in the personal and professional worlds.
Jasmine highlighted the ongoing challenges of creating truly inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+2S, and underscored that in many work environments, equality has not been achieved. Tragically, in some instances here in Canada, not just the US, there have been backward steps and a resurgence of hate and discrimination. The response from Canadian institutions has not always been rapid or equity based, and the struggle continues.
USJE members Laura Wildly, Shari Schiefele and Shauna Ward subsequently joined Jasmine to share their own lived experiences as Equity deserving members, or advocates for family, friends and loved ones. It was challenging to hear about how hard fought progress is being compromised but uplifting to see the solidarity in the room.
USJE closed the evening with a longstanding USJE tradition, an entertaining gala dinner featuring outstanding performances by Chelazon Leroux from Canada’s Drag Race season 3 along with local entertainers Mya Foxx and Zara Matrix.
Chelazon Leroux is a celebrated Indigenous performer from the Prairies, as well as powerful and influential agent for change. USJE was honoured to have them join us not just for her performance, but to also speak about their own experience growing up in Saskatchewan as a two spirited, Dene youth.