I am delighted to announce the appointment of Shane McNaught to the role of assistant vice-president (AVP) labour relations, effective Jan. 26, 2026.
Shane McNaught is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), earning a bachelor of commerce. Following his undergraduate degree, Shane worked in several marketing management roles in corporate retail and financial services before pursuing further post-secondary education. Shane is a proud York University Osgoode Hall Law School alumnus earning both a LLB and LLM in labour relations and employment law.
Following law school, Shane began his career in labour and employee relations at the University Health Network and later transitioned to a more senior level role in labour and employee relations at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where he negotiated several collective agreement renewals, as well as negotiated a first collective agreement for a new bargaining unit. Shane then took a role as legal counsel, labour relations and employment law at the Ontario Principals' Council, the recognized provincial bargaining agent for Ontario public school principals where he focused on protective services, legal representation and collective bargaining.
Most recently, Shane worked at Scotiabank in a global labour relations role where he served as the director, global labour relations and senior legal counsel-employment law for close to eight years. In this role, he provided Canadian employment law legal services, oversaw all international collective bargaining and served as chief negotiator for several rounds of collective bargaining for several international jurisdictions.
Shane is highly committed and has extensive training and experience in research, development and delivery of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility training, including delivering an international respectful workplace training roadshow. Shane is an experienced workplace investigator, including conducting complex human rights and harassment investigations where he applied an empathetic and practical approach to address sensitive issues. Shane is thrilled to be joining York University as the AVP labour relations.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dan Bradshaw for his leadership and dedication as the inaugural AVP labour relations at York from 2019-25. Dan’s expertise, composure and integrity have been invaluable to the University’s navigation of complex labour relations. Further, his efforts have been integral in the development of a labour relations team focused on actively supporting the University community and building effective relations with multiple union representatives.
Please join me in welcoming Shane back to York and to his new role. I am confident that he will lead labour relations – and York – in meaningful ways that will shape the University’s approach to collective bargaining, grievance resolution and employee relations, ensuring fair and effective practices across all Faculties and staff groups.
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Parissa Safai
Interim Vice-President Equity, People and Culture