Sam Snyders grew up in Pickering and is proud to have deep family roots in the community he calls home. After attending Dunbarton High School, he built a career shaped by hard work, resilience, and a strong belief in bringing people together to solve problems.

Early in his life, Sam was actively involved in Canada’s performing arts community. As a child actor, he appeared in film and television, including starring roles in The Pit and as Tom Sawyer in Huckleberry Finn and His Friends. He remains a proud member of ACTRA and Canadian Actors’ Equity.

Alongside his work in the arts, Sam demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. He launched and operated his own production company, producing multiple years of programming featured on CBC Sports Weekend before expanding into a television series syndicated across Canada on CTV and later selling the rights. These early experiences helped shape his ability to take initiative, manage complex challenges, and deliver results.

Sam began his professional career in the telecommunications sector with Bell Technical Solutions (Bell) and quickly became involved in advocating for workers and their families. Over time, he took on increasing leadership roles, serving as a steward, chief steward, and eventually President of Unifor Local 1996-O, representing telecommunications workers across the Greater Toronto Area.

During his time as president, Sam helped strengthen the local’s financial stability, engagement, and effectiveness, representing approximately 2,500 members while building a reputation for practical, solutions-focused leadership.

Throughout his leadership, Sam also played a significant role in workplace safety. Trained under both provincial and federal workplace safety frameworks, he served as Co-Chair of both Workplace and Policy Health & Safety Committees, advocating for stronger safety standards and improved protections.

Since January 2017, Sam has served as a National Representative for workers, where he has developed diverse and extensive experience across multiple sectors, including aerospace, nuclear, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation (including Durham Region Transit), auto services, and retail. Throughout his career, Sam has negotiated more than 60 business agreements and worked through complex negotiations, high-stakes disputes, and formal resolution processes involving workers, employers, and government bodies.

His most recent work includes representing professionals in Canada’s nuclear sector, including engineers, scientists, and skilled workers involved in CANDU technology and projects connected to the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.

Alongside his professional work, Sam has remained active in the community. He has helped organize major food drives collecting thousands of pounds of food for organizations such as the Daily Bread Food Bank and St. Francis Table, supporting individuals and families across the Greater Toronto Area.

Closer to home, Sam served for four years as an appointed member of Pickering’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (PAAC), helping advise the city on improving accessibility, listening to residents, and supporting practical improvements that remove barriers in public spaces and services.

He is also a voting member of the School Community Council at his son’s elementary school, getting involved from the very beginning of his child’s education.

Throughout his career, Sam has been a strong advocate for fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity. His work has focused on ensuring workplaces and communities are accessible, respectful, and welcoming to people from all backgrounds.

Sam lives in Pickering with his family and remains actively involved in community events and local initiatives throughout the city.

He believes strong communities are built when residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their neighbourhoods, and that local government should always put residents first.