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.

Youth Mayor & Council Fight To Reduce Transit Costs

Press Release

Youth Mayor & Council push for $2.00 Student Fare
Monday, June 13, 2011 (Ajax, Ontario) – Ajax Youth Mayor, Kurtis McAleer & Youth Councillors have geared up to lobby Durham Region to reduce the student bus fare to $2.00.
 

The campaign, which was re-launched this weekend, is asking Durham Council to motion to reduce the student rate to $2.00, currently student fares are on the increase with them going up again on July 1st  to $2.90 .
 

Currently, the campaign has gained some early supporters including Pickering’s Deputy Mayor, Doug Dickerson as well as Oshawa Youth Council Co-Founder, Nicholas Quintyn. All members of Ajax Youth Council have also endorsed the campaign through resolution.
 

The campaign is in its early stages, a new website has been launched at www.ReduceIt.tk and an online petition has also been started. “Hard-copy” petitions will soon be sent into schools to gain signatures.
 

Youth Mayor, Kurtis McAleer and Ajax Youth Councillor, Jeramie Carriere are the Co-Chairs of campaign. McAleer brings political experience and Carriere brings grassroots to the campaign. McAleer will be meeting with Councillors across the Region looking for support while Carriere will be working on endorsements and petition signatures.

McAleer says that an open house is in the works and will likely be held in July.
-30-

Kurtis McAleer, Campaign Co-Chair
E – KurtisMcAleer@hotmail.com
P – (905) 626-2271

W – www.ReduceIt.tk

Addressing Homophobia and Bullying

After the multiple suicides this month, after Nazi comments have been thrown around and after messages being sent to me trying to debate gay rights has made me think that it is time to address homophobia and human rights.

Over the past month, I have received numerous messages about the Sherry Clymer incident and now more recently about the homophobic bullying that has caused many unfortunate suicides.

During the Rally we had earlier this month I received messages saying that we were "bullying Sherry Clymer" and that we could drive people to vote for her.
1) We didn't bully anyone, we stood up to the bully.
2) Everyone in Ajax politics knows that Sherry Clymer didn't stand a chance to begin with.

Tonight, after "An Evening of Hope", which was an event to remember Shaq Wisdom, an event to end bullying against the LGBTQ community, I got into a heated debate on facebook with someone about the topic of bullying.

The conversation started out with a simple question of "Are you wearing pink this month for breast cancer awareness" and I responded saying yes, and I am trying to wearing purple as much as I can to stand up to bullying.

The person responded saying "f*** purple these gays are just promoting their hidden agenda... i understand bullying is a problem but why don't we address bully as a whole and not just one issue"
(I put the stars in... not the person who was talking)

This debate went on for an hour and it was the same thing being repeated by this person. "I'm Christian" and "I'm a Social Conservative" were the two lines that kept being said.

I simply told this person that it's not up for him to decide who gets human rights and who doesn't, I also told him that it's not up to him to choose who someone can love and who they cant.

As a PROUD supporter of the LGBTQ community, I will continue to stand up and stand with anyone who has been bullied physically, verbally or mentally. It's time to end homophobia! This is 2010!

We need to end homophobia TODAY! Please join with me and so many others and support out LGBTQ friends.

Rally in Support of Ajax's LGBTQ Community!

Ajax Mayoral Candidate, Sherry Clymer, compared raising the Pride Flag in Ajax to raising a Nazi flag during a recent debate.

It's time to show Mrs. Clymer that this is 2010! Please come to this debate to show your support for our LGBTQ Community!

Bring signs, shirts, whatever! Ajax Youth Councillor's will do their best to have a few extra signs made for the debate!

Be Loud, Be Vocal, Be Heard!

WHEN - October 5th, 2010
WHERE - Ajax Town Hall, Council Chambers
TIME - 7PM

FB Event Page - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127639907286557

"Teen making an impact in Ajax"

By: Brent Burry, News Advertiser
bburry@durhamregion.com

AJAX -- At just 16 years of age, Kurtis McAleer is already thinking about 2014 and running for municipal politics.

Although that is simply a thought at this point, he is already involved in politics on some level, as mayor of the Ajax Youth Council.

The Council, formed last year, is designed to serve as a bridge between youth and politicians, and get youth more engaged and involved with politics.
“I think it takes one issues to get youth involved. But a lot of people just aren’t interested in day-to-day things and it’s boring to most people. They only see the otter shell, they don’t see what actually goes on in politics and what it really is (about).” Kurtis explains

Although his and the Ajax Youth Council’s focus is youth, he is there to help everyone.

“I got a phone call from a senior asking about the bus route changed. I don’t know how she found my number but she called, and I had the map ready, so I sent her the email with the new map and the new routes. I really enjoyed having the conversation with her and she was very encouraged that she could get a straightforward answer.”

Kurtis is well recognized at high school for his role and often finds students approaching him for help or an answer.
“Most times, you just walk down he hallways and someone will bring up and issue and it could be something really small, could be something a bit more serious, but most of the time they just need an answer and they won’t call a councillor and ask for something.” Says Kurtis

Getting involved in the community and making himself known to the political scene is rare for someone of his age and it’s advantageous.
“It takes a long, long time to meet people and to (get to) know everybody. Most councillors know who I am now, first name basis sort of thing, but it does take a long time to get out there and make your name known and let people know who you are, so I think it’s good to start early.”

Kurtis says his parents get worried sometimes, especially when he has something negative to say, and they don’t like him making enemies, but they support him and what he is doing.

He admits that not every day is great and it can be though sometimes. That isn’t deterring him.
“There are some days that are frustrating, definitely, but you’ve just gotta move on, and you gotta keep powering through.” Says Kurtis