Paul Pighin is a proud native of London, Ontario, who has spent much of his life advocating for equality, inclusion, and justice.

His journey began as a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team, where he competed from the age of eight until his early twenties, retiring after the World Championships in 1991. As an elite athlete, he learned the value of discipline, resilience, and perseverance—lessons that would serve him well in the face of significant personal challenges.

Embracing his authentic self, Paul came out as a gay man in 1992, marking a pivotal moment of personal growth and transformation.

In 1994, Paul faced a misdiagnosis only to be diagnosed with HIV at a time when treatments were limited, and fear, stigma, and misinformation surrounded the virus. The experience shaped him profoundly, and Paul emerged as a steadfast advocate. For the last twenty years, he has been a tireless advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, and 2SLGBTQI+and disability rights.

Paul served as a constituency assistant to Irene Mathyssen and subsequently continued in the same role for Lindsay Mathyssen. In this capacity, he was responsible for directly assisting constituents with issues pertaining to federal government departments.

Paul is inspired to champion systemic change and promote inclusivity and fairness for all.

He is committed than ever to building a better Canada and to creating a brighter future for all Canadians.