A Chance to Inspire Current and Future Candidates

Last week I was invited to be a panellist at the Municipal Masterclass where I spoke to 200 municipal candidates, politicians and community members on engaging diverse communities in municipal politics, sharing reflections from my experience representing Willowdale and building authentic relationships across diverse cultures. I emphasized that meaningful engagement goes far beyond “showing up” during election season. It requires listening deeply, understanding cultural nuance, and recognizing that communities are never monolithic. Drawing on my work with diverse communities, I spoke about the importance of bridge-building, multilingual engagement, and empowering residents themselves to become community leaders and connectors.

I also highlighted the human side of local politics, speaking candidly about the challenges many racialized candidates face, including imposter syndrome and cultural expectations to remain “soft spoken.” I encouraged aspiring leaders to find their voice and focus on quality conversations over volume, noting that every door knocked on is an opportunity to better understand your neighbourhood. Ultimately, I believe local democracy is strongest when elected officials reflect the diversity of the communities they serve and create spaces where residents can disagree respectfully while still feeling heard. This is something I always try to do in my role as Councillor.