Gary Steeves has worked for social and environmental justice all his adult life. A staff representative with the BCGEU from 1979 to 2004, he served as director of the union from 1993 to 2004. He also served on numerous government boards and agencies, including the BC Labour Force Development Board and the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission, and held various positions in the union movement, including executive council member of the BC Federation of Labour. From 2004 to 2014, he served on the Islands Trust Council, including six years on its executive committee as vice chair of the council.