Community News

FIRST TIME VOTER LOOKS FOR PLANS, SOLUTIONS

CRAIG CAMPBELL ccampbell@ hamiltonnews.com

For Aydin Kirdemir, a Dundas Valley Secondary School Grade 12 student eligible to vote for the first time in June's provincial election, it's not candidate ideas, but plans that will attract his vote.

"It's more about my morals ... just what I value," Kirdemir said.

The election hasn't been a specific focus of conversation at home, school or with friends and life is pretty busy for the 18-year-old preparing to study illustration at OCAD University while working more than 20 hours a week at Georgian Retirement Home and running track while finishing high school - but Kirdemir is clear on what he values and what he expects from candidates.

More public transit and introducing new green energy to deal with climate change, as well as actively addressing Indigenous issues are among the things he values.

The question for him is not whether or not these issues and challenges are to be dealt with - but how they'll be dealt with.

"We know this," he said. "We have to find the solutions now."

Like many youth, he recognizes it's older generations that have left younger generations with these challenges. He noted "we've failed" black and Indigenous populations.

"We're the ones that will have to face it - how to rectify the situation," he said.

Kirdemir figures he'll decide who to vote for a couple of days before the June 2 election.

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281496459891663

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