Candidate: Ben Hacking

Who are you?

My name is Ben Hacking and I am a proud resident of Ward 34 (Don Valley East). I am currently in my third year of studies in Political Science and History at the University of Toronto. I have a part-time job as a Customer Service Representative at TD Canada Trust and I also volunteer once a week as a teaching assistant at Windfields Junior High School. Ultimately, I see myself as a teacher working with students at the high school level.


Why are you running?

I’m running for City Idol because I want a shot at truly making a difference for this city in a capacity that would allow for that difference to be made. One of the first jobs I had growing up was working at Church Street and Queen Street for the Outreach Program at Metropolitan United Church. At 15 years old I found myself working face to face with Toronto’s homeless community offering food, clothing, basic first-aid services, and more importantly, an ear and some time. I spent 4 years working with the homeless and every year, that community grew and grew. I kept asking myself, “How can the mayor get away with calling Toronto a ‘world-class’ city?” or “How can we truly call this city: ‘Toronto, the good’?” when so many people lay hungry, sick, cold, and dying on our streets? While I could see the ‘how’ of my questions in the efforts of my co-workers, I could not see it in the efforts of city council. I still see the same problems today and I’d love to help restore some integrity to Toronto’s reputation.


What should a City Councillor be?

I do agree that Toronto is in need for infrastructural development which would further harness the city’s economic potential. But more of that development drive should be focused towards affordable housing, basic needs fulfillment, job training programs, and affordable transit. These are some of the basic issues I feel all city councilors should be keenly receptive of and unwaveringly committed to. Councilors have a duty to ensure that all of their constituents, at the very least, have access to the fundamental services and infrastructure that will improve their lives. No citizen should be left behind.

Anything else?

More contests like this to encourage participation from our incredibly diverse public.

We need new leaders.