Past speakers
opening speech & land acknowledgement
Laura Mae Lindo, MPP
MPP for kitchener centre
Laura Mae Lindo, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, is a respected activist and educator who holds both a Masters and PhD in Education. Laura Mae is the Official Opposition Critic for Anti-Racism, Colleges & Universities. Chair, Official Opposition Black Caucus.
Her commitment to building inclusive communities both within and outside of educational environments is grounded in her knowledge of how to put anti-oppression theories into practice. Recipient of the 2017 Schaus Award, Laura Mae’s ongoing work to challenge systemic racism on campus and in the community has positioned her as a knowledgeable advocate for the rights of women and girls, a respected ally to marginalized community members, and, most importantly, a courageous public speaker on issues often left unaddressed in the mainstream.
For the animals: a former Undercover investigator, and 2 Sanctuary owners who rescue animals
11:00am-12:00pm
Kevin Lahey
former undercover investigator
MPhil, Vegan activist from New York State
Kevin Lahey is a vegan activist from New York State. He has a Master’s degree in Philosophy with a concentration in ethics and animal rights. He spent more than three years working as an undercover investigator with CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth) and Mercy for Animals. He has worked in South Korea’s dog meat industry, as well as USA’s hog, poultry, dairy, and egg industries. Kevin is currently creating a vegan pet food company.
Temara Brown
the browns' microsanctuary
Founder of The Browns’ Microsanctuary
Temara Brown and her family have been caring for chickens since she was very young. After going vegan well over a decade ago, the family adopted sanctuary principles and became more focused on rescue. The Browns’ Microsanctuary is home to chickens who are survivors of egg factory farms, the small local “free range” egg farms, and backyard egg farming and butchery. They are home to roosters who were found abandoned in cities; and hens rescued from being fed to other animals, freed from research, and some who were surrendered when they needed urgent medical attention. Brown also assists with the Association of Farm Sanctuaries, Ontario, and helps to find other forever homes for chickens and roosters in need..
Jaime Sirna
Love of Brian Farm Sanctuary
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Jaime started out in the hospitality industry at a young age, and attended college for both Culinary and Hotel Management programs. After recognizing the source of her meals at the young age of 12, her journey through the foodservice industry became narrow, avoiding the exploitation of animals until she found her niche and now works in hospitality management for a local Cider and Brew House. Jaime co-owns and operates Love of Brian Farm Sanctuary with Beth Sallewsky, on top of working fulltime to support the animals.
Ben KING
panel moderator
Ben is a former co-host of the Livegan Podcast, and co-founder of Nation Rising. On the Livevegan podcast Ben and his colleague Kevin Lahey interviewED inspirational leaders in the animal rights community and helpED vegan activists become more effective. Ben is a single parent and is currently focusing on HIS Master’s of Social Work. Right now, he is doing a work placement as an addictions counsellor and hopes to work in that field upon graduation.
mental health and veganism
12:15-1:15pm
Dr. Linda plowright
department of psychiatry, university of western ontario
Dr. Plowright is an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Western Ontario and she is on staff at the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI) in London with the Dual Diagnosis Behaviour and Anxiety Clinic. She completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona College of Medicine and formerly ran an Integrative Psychiatry practice. She has worked with humanitarian organizations to provide medical care to under-served populations in multiple countries and works closely with a group that provides humanitarian medical care in the Dominican Republic. Her interests include Integrative Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis, mindfulness, clinical hypnosis and cross-cultural health.
the links between pandemics and climate and animal agriculture
1:30-2:30pm
Dr. tushar mehta
er physician, co-founder of Plant Based Data org
Dr. Tushar Mehta studied at McMaster University and then completed medical school and residency at the University of Toronto. Currently, he practices Emergency Medicine but he has also spent years practicing Family Medicine and Addictions Medicine. Dr. Mehta also participates in international health projects, having formerly volunteered on an annual basis in rural India, and now working with an NGO in Haiti. (www.hephaiti.com).
Along with a small team, Dr. Mehta co-founded Plant Based Data (www.plantbaseddata.org), an online database which collects and organizes the most important academic and institutional literature regarding the impact of plant-based diet on health, environment and food security, including the role of animal agriculture in creating zoonotic pandemics. He lectures on these topics, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental wellbeing.