Before fleeing to Canada, his father broke curfew to get milk for his family and was opened fire upon by soldiers on the way home.

When the Loyola family came to Canada, his father had an independent streak and did not apply for social assistance out of fear of being seen as a hindrance to the system and even took out a bank loan to pay for winter coats.

In the 2000s, he collaborated with Vlad Gomex and Cristian Cousino to form the Chilean-Canadian hip-hop group People's Poets.

[6][9] Loyola graduated in 1999 with a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Alberta where he studied anthropology and Latin American history.

[10] His faith has made him passionate about addressing hate crimes and incorporating better anti-racist education initiatives.

He was on the board of Friends of Medicare, volunteered for the Knottwood Community League, and the Post-Secondary Education Task Force for Public Interest Alberta.

"[12] On July 21, 2014, Rod Loyola announced his intention to run as leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party.

[4] He also was concerned about privatization of public services and the harmful impacts of cuts to education, which Loyola believed worsens inequality in society.

[17] After the Alberta New Democratic Party shifted from being in government to Official Opposition in 2019, Loyola has served in a number of shadow cabinet roles.