What is your role and how long have you been involved with CELA? I started with CELA in September of 2023 and my role is Legal Assistant and Information Coordinator. Before working at CELA, I worked at the Downsview Community Legal Clinic and the ARCH Disability Law Clinic.
What inspired you to get involved in environmental law and public policy? I’ve always wanted to work in public health; I did my undergrad in human biology. Through my experience at Downsview Community Legal Clinic, I learned about the connections between public health, environmental law and justice.
What’s the most rewarding part of working/volunteering with CELA?
Knowing that you’re helping the community in any way you can. Working at a non-profit, you’re serving the public, and you know that you’re helping. It’s very rewarding work personally, and you also know you’re improving the environment.
What do you think is Canada’s biggest environmental challenge today?
I’ve learned quite a bit about CELA’s work on extreme temperatures, and its impact on vulnerable communities. It’s so frustrating to know that there’s a minimum temperature by-law for rental housing, but there’s no maximum. It’s awful especially given the heatwaves we’re having – I can’t imagine being in a small apartment with high temperatures!
How do you think we can best approach this challenge?
We need to make sure housing is liveable, safe and affordable, starting with making a maximum heat by-law. But it’s also important that making air conditioning mandatory doesn’t mean housing should be more expensive.
When you’re not working on environmental issues, what do you like to do?
I like to hang out with my dog Cooper, go glamping, and binge watch TV. I also like to cook and bake, especially learning new recipes – I just tried banana bread and it was great!
Blog: Faces of CELA, Kesi Disha
What is your role and how long have you been involved with CELA?
I started with CELA in September of 2023 and my role is Legal Assistant and Information Coordinator. Before working at CELA, I worked at the Downsview Community Legal Clinic and the ARCH Disability Law Clinic.
What inspired you to get involved in environmental law and public policy?
I’ve always wanted to work in public health; I did my undergrad in human biology. Through my experience at Downsview Community Legal Clinic, I learned about the connections between public health, environmental law and justice.
What’s the most rewarding part of working/volunteering with CELA?
Knowing that you’re helping the community in any way you can. Working at a non-profit, you’re serving the public, and you know that you’re helping. It’s very rewarding work personally, and you also know you’re improving the environment.
What do you think is Canada’s biggest environmental challenge today?
I’ve learned quite a bit about CELA’s work on extreme temperatures, and its impact on vulnerable communities. It’s so frustrating to know that there’s a minimum temperature by-law for rental housing, but there’s no maximum. It’s awful especially given the heatwaves we’re having – I can’t imagine being in a small apartment with high temperatures!
How do you think we can best approach this challenge?
We need to make sure housing is liveable, safe and affordable, starting with making a maximum heat by-law. But it’s also important that making air conditioning mandatory doesn’t mean housing should be more expensive.
When you’re not working on environmental issues, what do you like to do?
I like to hang out with my dog Cooper, go glamping, and binge watch TV. I also like to cook and bake, especially learning new recipes – I just tried banana bread and it was great!
Share: