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Hey millennials, Toronto needs you

Although the City of Toronto (along with most of Ontario’s municipalities) doesn’t keep track of how old voters are each election, general voter turnout among young Canadians is on the decline, and has been for many years before anyone defined a generation with the m-word.

We can also draw conclusions by examining poll numbers within wards. Researchers with Apathy is Boring, Université de Montréal and the University of Toronto noted that in the 2010 municipal election, the polls in the Ryerson and U of T student-heavy area of Ward 27 counted a much lower voter turnout than the average for the entire ward – 21 per cent lower.

The trend is troubling in and of itself, but it’s also counterintuitive. We’re better-educated and we’re more plugged in than ever. And we’re facing serious challenges. There’s no shortage of words published about the lack of jobs and the heavy debt burden young people are dealing with. Cheesy as it sounds, we’re also the future.

Leading up to the election, we’ll publish an online series aimed at engaging you in our city’s future. In the comments, tell us what matters to you and why you’re voting. Or tell us why you’re not.

By way of introduction, meet mayoral candidate Morgan Baskin, 19, who formally invites you to get engaged.


The public conversation about millennials, in general, is incredibly negative. I am not going to suggest that nothing they say about us is true. What I will say is that we are fine just the way we are. I am a politician who uses Snapchat and talks herself into doing things by rewarding myself with episodes of The Mindy Project. And yes, I do spend too much time on Twitter that’s who I am. But politics is not something I changed for (okay, maybe a little, but I didn’t have a personality transplant). If you’re not running for mayor, politics is something you can find space for in your life fairly easily. I promise.

I do not promise that you won’t eventually think it’s really cool, and spend a lot of time time arguing about it, and develop strong opinions about things like revenue streams, though.

There are many ways to make stuff happen in the world. I picked one way, you can pick another. Maybe your way is signing a petition or going to a protest. Maybe your way is getting involved in regular politics, or school politics. Maybe it’s grassroots organizing, volunteering for a candidate, electoral reform, or education reform. Maybe it’s voting (I really recommend this one). Maybe your way will be all of those things over time.

I am not going to repeat the line “you can’t complain unless you get involved” because that seems like a useless thing to say. Shame won’t lead to action. What I will say is this: if you needed an invitation to get involved, this is it. I am only one voice, and I cannot speak for all of us. I don’t want to speak for all of us. So use your voice, especially if you think I am wrong.

There is an opportunity to vote very soon, as I am sure you know. I hope you use it I hope you stand up and get counted. I hope you make sure to get it on paper that you matter. Tell politicians you’re not waiting any longer to be a factor in their decisions. When youth show up to vote, it terrifies politicians. It shows them that you have a voice and are not scared to use it. Vote for a future of this city that you can believe in.

I am not going to tell you the electoral system isn’t inherently flawed, because it is. Too much depends on money and looking a certain way, not enough of good ideas and strong vision. Our idea of “leadership” is based on a corporate idea, and not any of the more grassroots models available to us. But recognizing flaws in a system doesn’t mean we cannot effect change within it.

Though the race for mayor is exciting (especially if you’re me), voting for city councillor and school trustee is in many ways more important. The mayor is only one vote on council. The most possibility for change lies in council. Vote for a city council candidate that you believe in, one that makes you feel excited about the future of this city (not sure who that is? Take a few minutes to find out whose vision for the city matches yours). Vote for a school trustee who you feel will make the education system better. I cannot stress enough that you have the power here. Your vote matters. Everyone’s vote matters.

There are lots of ways to vote. You can vote with friends. You can make yourself stickers (I did this and will do it again). You can vote with your family, or alone. Feel free to bribe yourself with episodes of The Mindy Project (or another show) if that’s what you need. But do vote, and don’t stop there.

Vote for candidates you care about. Candidates that get you excited about this city and its future. Vote for someone, not against someone else. And then, on Oct. 28, think about how you are going to help build the future of this city. Stay engaged. This city needs you. This city needs all of us.

Regardless of who gets elected on the 27th you will have engaged with the process and been counted. Those elected will know you exist, that you believe that you matter, and that you’re not afraid to make yourself heard in shaping the future of Toronto.

To find out who’s running in your ward, click here.

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