John Shields

John Shields earned a Masters Degree in Theology from St. Paul’s College in Washington, DC where he worked with Dr. Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. As a Catholic priest, he taught popular theology in Canada and the US before leaving the church. An interest in social justice led to increasing involvement in union work. He was elected President of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) for fourteen years leading the union through deep progressive changes. John was recognized internationally as a leader in the labour movement. He is currently teaching negotiations and labour relations at Vancouver Island University.

He was a founding Director of Working Enterprises, the Working Opportunity Fund, and the Columbia Institute. He became a Director of GrowthWorks and is now a Director of Matrix Asset Management. 

John is the author of a memoir titled, “The Priest Who Left His Religion – In Pursuit of Cosmic Spirituality” which became a #1 best seller on Amazon.ca on the day it was published. He offers workshop on the radical responsibility that we have to bring about a new worldview. He is serving as President of the Board of the non-profit charity, “The Centre for Earth and Spirit”.