Jim, We Will Miss You

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Jim Flaherty’s passing.

Jim exemplified what it meant to be a public servant and was a great role model. Jim will go down as one of the best finance ministers in Ontario & Canada’s history. During the entire economic downturn, Jim stayed the course, acted responsibly and was a true statesman who got us through some of our toughest times as a country.

My thoughts & prayers are with Jim’s wife, Christine and their three sons.

I am proud to call Jim a friend and I will miss his common sense approach to politics. 

You're Invited!

Please join the Team & I for our 2014 campaign launch.

Information:
Who - Kurtis McAleer Campaign for Ward 4
What - Campaign Launch
When - Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014, 7 PM
Where - Safari Bar & Grill in the Historic Pickering Village

Please RSVP to Info@KurtisMcAleer.ca

Hope to see you there!

Our First Day at the Doors

Our team was out this past Saturday in the south-end of the Ward speaking with residents.

It was encouraging to see how many of them want change. The issues varied from taxes to community safety to transit to bike lanes to our lakefront but one theme stayed the same, change at Ajax Council.

One resident noted that although it seems great Ajax Council can work together, it is also disappointing to rarely see debate. To not debate a budget is alarming, said the resident on Seabreeze and I agree with him.

I'm looking forward to door knocking more and more often as the weather gets nicer.

Ward Four, Here We Come!

Today, at 10:30 am, I was pleased to formally enter the race in Ajax’s Ward Four.

Ward Four has a special place in my heart because it is where I grew up. It’s where I went to school, worked, played and where I founded the Ajax Youth Council five years ago.

I’m looking forward to a positive, clean and progressive campaign that focuses on the issues facing Ajax and Ward Four.

I will be launching my campaign website later on today which will outline my platform and everything else surrounding the campaign.  

Thank you for the outpour of support and I look forward to being elected in October.

5 Years Later...

Five years since my first political campaign. I was 12 turning 13 when I started campaigning for local PC candidate, Kevin Ashe. I lost that one.

5 years later and I've done more in my political life than I expected. I served as a Youth Member of Parliament, a Youth Cabinet Minister, a Youth Mayor and just when I thought I was done with youth politics, I became the Youth Chair of Durham, a position I still hold. It's been a roller coaster ride, lots of highs and lows and even more in between.

Over 5 years, I believe that I have stood by my principals. I have and will continue to support candidates I believe in over political parties or partisanship. I've had the pleasure of working with many great politicians including Durham Chairman, Roger Anderson, Mayor Dave Ryan, Councillors Kevin Ashe, Doug Dickerson, David Pickles & Marilyn Crawford. I also had the pleasure of working with former Regional Councillors Rick Johnson and Scott Crawford, who both served for over 20 years on council, and I got to work closely with both of them and learn the ropes.

I also, after promising for campaigns, got to work with former MP, Mark Holland. Mark & I, despite political differences always had a cordial relationship and despite me working against Mark during a grueling campaign in 2008, Mark was always there to lend support for Youth Council and many other endeavours of mine. Mark was a great constituent MP and is a great communicator. My bet is that Mark will return as our MP in Ajax or Pickering in 2015.

I've also had the chance to work with Pickering Deputy Mayor, Doug Dickerson. Doug, a political vet who has campaigned his entire life, has been my go-to for tough questions. I met Doug in 2007 while working on Kevin Ashe's campaign. Doug was the car canvass king and helped us rip through a quarter of the Ajax-Pickering riding in one day. I've learned over the years of working with Doug that he is a straight shooter and a man of character. You can count on Doug, if he gives you his word he sticks to it! His wife, Jo-Ann is also a campaign vet who I also met in 2007 when she had me sorting out lit on my first campaign while we both watched our favourite soap opera, the Young & Restless. 

Last but not least is Councillor Kevin Ashe. I worked for Kevin in 2007 on his provincial campaign where he knocked doors all day, everyday. Whenever I was out canvassing, Kevin was to. When Kevin decided to seek a seat back on Pickering Council, I quickly said yes to joining the campaign. We started campaigning 7 months before election day. We canvassed for hours everyday, in the cold, rain and snow. It paid off, we won that campaign. It was a campaign that proved that hard work and dedication pays off. The last point to make, is that Kevin has always been there for every charitable cause I've fundraised for. Kids Help Phone, Terry Fox, Ajax Youth Council, Durham Youth Council, my campaigns and SO MANY MORE, Kevin has always been there and is always ready to support local charities! It's been a long five years, but I'm looking forward to the next 5, and beyond that.

MCALEER TO SEEK YOUTH REGIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP

McAleer to run for Durham Youth Chair

It’s a brief retirement for Kurtis McAleer. The Former Youth Mayor announced today that he will be seeking the Chair of the new Durham Youth Council which meets in October for the first time.

McAleer, who just retired from the Ajax Youth Council in early August, said he was convinced because no one else had the experience to Chair the new Youth Council.

“After speaking with the majority of appointees to Durham Youth Council, I realized that most don’t have the experience that I do in the Chair’s position. I had to be convinced by some people but I didn’t have to think too hard about returning.” Said McAleer

McAleer said he expects he will be easily appointed as Chair but said he welcomes anyone wishing to challenge him.

“I’m sure I’ll be able to get the votes but I’d be happy to face a challenge.” Said McAleer

McAleer said that he will only serve as Chair as long as needed.

“I don’t intend on serving more than one term. I hope that I can help build this organization then move on.” Said McAleer

The Inaugural Meeting of the Durham Youth Council will be taking place in October.

McAleer Retires as Youth Mayor

Youth Mayor, Kurtis McAleer announced today that he will be stepping aside as Youth Mayor to focus on his education.

“It’s been an honour to serve our youth since 2009, this has been an experience I’ll never forget.” Said McAleer during his speech to Youth Council.

McAleer, who founded the Youth Council in 2009 has been re-elected 3 times and most recently won re-election with 78% of the vote.

Before his time on Youth Council, McAleer served as a Member of Youth Parliament, Youth Cabinet Minister and as Leader of the Canadian Youth Assembly Progressive Conservatives.

Yesterday, at an in-camera meeting, McAleer announced his retirement. Youth Council also voted to appoint Krystal Doggrell as the new Youth Mayor over veteran Deputy Youth Mayor, Robert Doggrell and popular Deputy Youth Mayor, Carly Lambe.

“I am proud to have served with him and honoured that I will be taking over for him as Youth Mayor.” Said Doggrell

Doggrell said her first move as Youth Mayor will be to review the committee structure of Youth Council.

“We need to reduce our committees. We currently have 5 committees which is too many in my eyes.” Said Doggrell

Youth Councillors Harper, Shorts, Carriere & Anike support Doggrell’s appointment while Lambe & R. Doggrell supported the appointment of Carly Lambe as Youth Mayor.

Doggrell has asked McAleer to serve as her senior advisor. He is expected to take on the new role.