Martine Roy

Martine Roy is a prominent figure in the defense of 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Canada. With over 20 years of experience at IBM, she held several key positions, including Critical Situation Coordinator and Account Director. She stood out for her leadership in inclusion, notably by founding employee resource groups for LGBT staff and raising awareness throughout the organization about the realities faced by these communities.

She later continued her mission at TD Bank as Regional Director, 2SLGBTQ+ Business Development for Quebec and Eastern Canada, passionately pursuing her advocacy. Since 2017, she has also served as a Commissioner at the Quebec Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights (CDPDJ).

Her activism is deeply rooted in her personal history. Dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 19 due to her sexual orientation, she led the class action lawsuit that resulted in the Canadian federal government's official apology in 2017. This courageous initiative marked a turning point in the acknowledgment of the harm caused to LGBTQ+ individuals by Canadian institutions.

Martine Roy has also contributed to leading organizations: she was the co-founder and a board member of Pride at Work Canada for 10 years and served as chair of Fondation Émergence until 2015.

Her many contributions have been widely recognized: she received the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec in 2017, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023, and was named one of Canada’s Women of Influence in 2024. In February 2025, she was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 34 Canadian Brigade Group, and in March, she received the Veterans Affairs Minister’s Commendation.

A true leader in workplace inclusion and a tireless advocate for human rights, Martine Roy continues to inspire and transform professional and community spaces across the country.