Candidate: Ryan Hayes

Who are you? I am a student at the University of Toronto. Over the past two years, City Hall has become like a second home to me as a result of my work with the Toronto Youth Cabinet. Together we have successfully fought for hiring outreach workers for newcomer youth and youth with disabilities, freezing parks and recreation fees, and removing a ban on youth events at a public square.

Why are you running? To plead with politicians for action only to be met with frequent skepticism, hollow words of support, and foot dragging is maddening enough to make one want to run for government – so I did.

I wholly believe that promoting stronger neighbourhoods should be our utmost concern. Growing up in East York, I had every possible amenity at my fingertips. The school, community centre, library, hospital, civic centre, and subway were all within walking distance. I have fond memories of playing basketball every day after school, volunteering, and later working in my community.

If all youth were given the same support, community safety would dramatically improve. In order for this to happen, it is clear that we must make significant investments in our youth, particularly those living in marginalized communities.

What should a City Councillor be? A city councilor should be a conduit for change within a community by adopting new ideas and allowing them to flourish. In that sense, I would immediately work to bring the following proposals to fruition:

• Increasing the role of Community Councils in decision making while also providing funding for services such as crisis response to traumatic events

• Renewing the Community Use of Schools agreement to provide safe spaces for youth recreation and programs at extended hours

• Improving municipal decision making so that inspired citizens with relevant experience have a seat on municipal bodies such as the TTC

• Allocating a minimum of $150,000 in new funding for grants towards youth-led initiatives in our city


Feel free to email me: ryan.hayes.to@gmail.com

We need new leaders.