Early Life and Career
Allen, born in Glasgow, Scotland, immigrated to Canada as a child in 1963. His father, a shipwright came over to Canada to work at the Collingwood shipyards. He would later to transfer to the Port Weller Drydocks located on the Welland Canal where Allen’s family would settle.
Allen holds an undergraduate degree in history and political science from Brock University (graduated in 1983). An electrician by trade, he served on the Executive Board of CAW local 199 from 1996 to 2000 as Recording Secretary and from 2000 to 2008 as Financial Secretary.
In 2004, Allen travelled to Africa to oversee the clearing of landmine sites and the construction of women’s co-ops as part of the Canadian Autoworkers, Canada Social Justice Fund committee.
In 2007 Allen spearheaded the creation of Genesis Court, a non-profit affordable housing complex with support services that would help people who were at risk to turn their lives around. Through the planning stages of Genesis court it would eventually become part of the Bethlehem Housing and Support Services organization, which includes Bethlehem Place.
Allen was also a member of the Pelham Library Board, the Golden Horseshoe Social Action Committee and the Niagara Health Coalition.
Read more about this topic: Malcolm Allen (politician)
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