Hermender Singh Kailley

A first-generation Canadian born to Punjabi parents, Hermender’s labour journey began when he helped organize his fellow Vancouver Fringe Festival workers with IATSE Local 118. A career change in 2004 brought him to Vancouver’s waterfront and ILWU Local 502, where he became secretary-treasurer in 2019. At the BCFED’s 2022 Convention, Hermender became the first Punjabi-Canadian to be elected as the federation’s secretary-treasurer, and he was reelected in 2024. He currently serves on the Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism and the Canadians of South Asian Heritages B.C. Museum project’s advisory board.