User:SusanGapka/Susan gapka

Susan Gapka Ward 27 Toronto Centre Rosedale

Susan Gapka, a 2006 Ward 27 City Council candidate and local resident, is eager to share her vision for a stronger, more vibrant and inclusive community during this campaign. Ms. Gapka is known as a tireless and effective campaigner for social justice and highlights her record addressing issues of affordable housing, post secondary education, mental health, community safety, and LGBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans) issues since emerging as a community leader on Church Street more than 10 years ago. Susan worked with community leaders and Toronto Police Service to help set up the City’s first LGBT Community Consultative Committee while studying Community Work at George Brown College.

Susan Gapka is currently a Member of the Board of Central Neighbourhood House, 51 Division Community Liaison Police Committee, and the Toronto Local Advisory Committee and Toronto representative on the National Consumer Panel of the At Home/Chez Soi Research Demonstration Project of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. As a member of Save Our Structures, a Toronto Community Housing tenant led group, Gapka campaigned successfully in seeking budget announcements from all levels of government for capital repair funding for social housing in Toronto. Susan also led a lengthy campaign to persuade the Minister of Health to fund Sex Reassignment Surgery for trans people in Ontario and is currently attempting to include specific human rights protections for trans people in Ontario and across Canada. Susan Gapka received the 1999 Courage to Come Back Award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the City’s of Toronto’s 2004 Pride Award in recognition for her work empowering our communities. At York University, McLaughlin College has awarded Susan the Ellen Baar Award for Public Policy twice, and the Ross McMillan Award for student leadership three times. In addition, Ms. Gapka received the 2005 Deborah Hobson Award for Student Leadership from the Vice President Students’ Office.

Susan Gapka has been featured in two documentaries; 'Skin Deep' by Inner City Films screened on Life Channel, and 'Becoming Susan' screened at 2008 Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival and 2009 Inside/Out LGBT Film and Video Festival.

Susan Gapka graduated with Honours from the Community Worker Programme at George Brown College in June 2000. Susan then studied Public Policy and Administration at York University and graduated June 2009 with a degree in Political Science.