Helen Kennedy (born 1958) is aCanadian politician and social activist. She is the executive director ofEgale Canada.[1]
Helen was born inIreland. She went to Canada in 1979 at age 21.
Kennedy began her career as an activist and change agent with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. At the Industrial Accident Prevention Association, she became an advocate for workplace safety and people with disabilities, building awareness as editor of the association's magazine. In 1985, she was hired by theOntario New Democratic Party caucus atQueen's Park. She served the party for 14 years, in opposition and government. During that time, Kennedy founded the East York Tenants Association, which lobbied for rent controls and tenant rights. She also established Citizens for Access, anawareness campaign to open up public buildings to people withdisabilities.
In 1988, she successfully ran for city councillor inEast York. Her campaign was the first in Canada to provide campaign literature on tape for the blind. She served until 1991, leaving due to the increased demands of her position at Queen's Park when the NDP won the provincial election and formed the government.
In 1999, Kennedy joinedToronto City CouncillorOlivia Chow's team at City Hall, as constituency assistant inWard 20. Following Chow's resignation from city council to run in the2006 federal election, Kennedy submitted her nomination as a candidate for themunicipal elections with Chow's endorsement. In additional to Chow, Kennedy's candidacy was also endorsed byGreen Party of Canada leaderElizabeth May andConservative SenatorNancy Ruth. The seat was won byAdam Vaughan, a former political reporter withCitytv.
| 2006 Toronto election, Ward 20[2] | ||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Vaughan | 7,834 | 51.7 |
| Helen Kennedy | 5,334 | 35.2 |
| Desmond Cole | 750 | 4.9 |
| Chris Ouellette | 375 | 2.5 |
| Joseph Tuan | 359 | 2.4 |
| Devendra Sharma | 231 | 1.5 |
| Douglas Lowry | 193 | 1.3 |
| Carmin Priolo | 91 | 0.6 |
In April 2007, she was named executive director ofEgale Canada. She is the first woman to head the organization.
Under Kennedy, Egale has made significant contributions towards equality through research initiatives which reveal the current state of inclusion, awareness campaigns and education programs to shift the culture of inclusion, and legal advocacy.
Under Helen’s guidance, Egale has filled a critical gap by establishing Canada’s first and only transitional home for 2SLGBTQI homeless youth - Friends of Ruby.[3] Helen also played a large role internationally as the former Co-Secretary General of ILGA, a worldwide federation of 1100 member organizations campaigning for LGBTI rights.
In March 2025, after 18 years in the role, it was announced that Kennedy would be leaving her role as executive director.[4]