Toronto is gearing up for municipal elections on October 26, where citizens will elect their City Council representatives and the city’s mayor. The election campaign generates numerous promises and ideas, making it challenging for voters to sort through the information.
To assist voters in navigating these complexities, nine-year-old Iya Thompson has taken the initiative to interview candidates running in Beaches-East York. Through her show Iya on Toronto, which is shared on platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, she aims to educate others about government operations while also deepening her own understanding.
“Government matters a lot, it’s very important and… not many people vote,” Iya shared with CityNews regarding her insights from the campaign trail. She aspires to aid those eligible to vote in making informed decisions for the upcoming election.
Iya is diligently interviewing all 13 candidates in Beaches-East York, posing the same questions to each, including what their favorite place in the ward is and their views on the most pressing issues facing the city at this time.
So far, the responses from candidates indicate a commitment to listen to their community’s needs, with many mentioning concerns over roads and traffic. “A lot of them said that their favorite place is the beach,” Iya noted.
As a member of the next generation poised to inherit the city's future, Iya is eager to contribute to shaping what lies ahead, with encouragement and support from her father, Steve Thompson. “It’s been a fantastic father-daughter project, and what started as a small endeavor in our backyard and local parks has blossomed into something much larger than we anticipated,” Steve remarked.
Through their efforts, Iya’s show has gained recognition, leading to increased requests from city council candidates across Toronto seeking interviews. “We’ve had a lot of school trustees and other candidates reach out looking for interviews as well from wards all over the city,” Steve stated, highlighting their evolution from a simple project to a platform for candidates to share their messages.
Iya has garnered a substantial following online, establishing herself as a source of local information and insight. Residents of Beaches-East York spoke highly of Iya’s initiative, expressing appreciation for her involvement in the electoral process. “I think it’s great for kids to get involved in elections,” one resident commented, while another noted, “Even for people like us, it’s amazing that a girl as young as her knows a lot about politics.”
When asked whether a future in politics interests her, Iya expressed openness to the idea. “Possibly, yeah that sounds fun. I would want to do that,” she said. In addition to her efforts, she encourages other children in Toronto to engage with the electoral process through events like Kids Vote Weekend, scheduled for October 10 and 11. During this event, kids can cast votes for the ‘2027 Tree of the Year’ at all advance polling locations.
Click here to find out more about Kids Vote Weekend.
