Donna Slaight

Donna Slaight, C.M.

Human Rights Activist

Donna is a longtime advocate of human rights and equality. Locally, she is involved with improving the quality of life for hundreds of mental health patients at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. CAMH is Canada’s largest center for the treatment of mental health and addiction issues and a world class research facility. She is on the hospital board and chairs a program that focuses on the immediate needs of the patients with the goal of eliminating barriers to treatment and stigma reduction.

In 2016, Donna was appointed to the Human Rights Watch Board of Directors where she chairs the Canada Committee, Women’s Rights Advisory Committee, and Council Steering Committee and serves on the Film Festival Committee. Along with her husband, Gary, Donna serves as Vice Chair of the Canada Committee’s Voices for Justice Annual Dinner.

Through the Slaight Family Foundation, Donna and Gary support many local and international NGOs. The Foundation supports many social justice initiatives with a focus on youth and seniors. Donna was awarded the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, for her work in mental health and human rights.