Ivan Dawns was born in Jamaica, migrated to Canada in 1997.  Shortly after moving to Canada he attended Interior Finishing System Training Centre where he mastered in Dry Wall Finishing.  After graduating he joined the International Union of Painters and Allied Trade.   Ivan was employed by one of the largest Drywall Company’s in Ontario as a Dry Wall Finisher, he was subsequently promoted to Team Leader. 

In 2013, Ivan became the first African Canadian Business Representative at International Union of Painters and Allied Trade in Canada; he is also a member of the Collation of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU) of the Canadian Chapter.