Peggy Nash is a former NDP Member of Parliament for the Parkdale–High Park riding and has served as the Official Opposition Critic in the portfolios of Finance and Industry. Before her first election in 2006, she was a senior labour negotiator with the Canadian Auto Workers (now UNIFOR), in the auto, transportation and service sectors.

Peggy has pioneered initiatives to end gender-based violence, create workplace child care and foster political involvement. She is a co-founder of Equal Voice, a multi-partisan organization with the goal of electing more women. She is a frequent media commentator and international speaker on politics, women’s rights and democratic engagement. Her new book, "Women Winning Office: An Activist's Guide to Getting Elected (external link) ," will be available May 2. 

As a Distinguished Visiting Professor and Senior Advisor to the Dean of Arts at Ryerson University, Peggy is co-leading the Institute for Future Legislators, as well as the Women in the House program. 

Peggy is also a the Chair of the Centre for Labour Management Relations Advisory Committee at the Ted Rogers School of Management, and a board member of the Broadbent Institute and served on boards including Invest Toronto, the Canadian Labour Congress and the Ontario Arts Council.

In 2009, she was named a YWCA Women’ of Distinction. She is a frequent media commentator and an international speaker on the economy, women’s rights, and democratic engagement.