David McLaren is an award-winning screenwriter and essay writer who has contributed to the Forum section in Postmedia’s chain of Ontario newspapers.

He ran as the NDP candidate in the federal election of 2015, campaigning on the need to deal with inequality, particularly in the workplace.

David has worked in government, where he helped set up District Health Council in SW Ontario, in the private sector at an advertising firm in Toronto, in the arts as President of the Toronto Writers Guild, for NGOs as Communications Director for CELA, and for First Nations.

He has also served as an elected representative on the boards of various environmental, arts, and political organizations.

David’s report on precarious work may be accessed at http://livingwagecanada.ca/files/2114/2287/7141/Final_Report_of_the_Prec_Wrk_Gr_PJ__Append.pdf.

His essays may be found at http://jdavidmclaren.wordpress.com/.

A resident of Owen Sound, Ruth Lovell-Stanners served 16 years on Owen Sound City Council, seven as mayor, in fact she was the first woman to be elected mayor of Owen Sound.

Ruth has also been involved as a volunteer in many community organizations over the years. She served a Board Chair of the Georgian Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians, one of her favourite charities, and has served on the board of R.E.A.C.H.

She was the founding Chair of Chapman House Hospice, and currently is board chair of the Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Company, which is presently overseeing the building of 60 badly-needed attainable housing units in the city.

She is also a Past President of the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.
Ruth joined the CFOS panel three years ago and brings a unique perspective to the table.