Samuel Getachew – Ward 43 candidate
PHONE NUMBER: 647-456-9690
What key issues define your campaign platform?
There are many issues that define our campaign in Ward 43. Crime, the environment, a safe and dynamic neighbourhood for all and social housing are some of the leading issues. In the 2008 United States Presidential election – I was a volunteer of the then Senator Barrack Obama’s Presidential campaign and I was witness to the wonderful idea of youth engagement and empowerment. Throughout my conversations with residents in Ward 43, I have often been told that crime is a way of young people telling us they need help. We need to listen to them!
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I think I am a better candidate because I am young, experienced and very passionate about Scarborough. We can not allow Scarborough to fall behind. Scarborough falls far behind in terms of community centres, ice rinks, outdoor pools, parks and park spending per person. We can not expect the same leadership to produce different results for us. I honestly believe I can be a great alternative.
What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
I want to empower young people. Governments can not solve every and each problem. I want my office to be a great hub for wonderful community initiatives. I want to work with organizations I was a part of in my youth to take leadership roles. Organizations like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and many fortunate Canadians want to help and I want to be the link to help lots of young people in our ward fulfill their great promise.
Personal bio:
I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and came to Canada as a teenager. I lived, studied and worked in Ottawa and came to Toronto after working on president Barrack Obama’s historic campaign in the United States. I wanted to bring the same kinds of leadership and optimism that I saw in the US to Toronto. I have worked for the Government of Canada and also for private institutions. I have been a board and advisory committees with different organizations such as Swansea Town Hall, Citizens Advocacy and the United Way among many others. I have either travelled or lived in well over 20 countries, a rare experience that has given me a chance to value and appreciate the great diversity of Toronto.
Who do you plan to support for mayor?
I admire and appreciate all the Mayoral candidates who are running for office. It takes commitment and sacrifice to run such a gruelling and often expensive mayoral campaigns. However, for a potential councillor such as myself, it would be highly inappropriate to endorse a potential mayor. I am willing to work with anyone of them to move our great Scarborough initiatives forward.
