Two Grade 9 students become Ottawa's Mayor for a Day
The municipal election campaign is underway in the city of Ottawa. While five people have already filed nomination papers to run for Mayor, two Ottawa high school students beat them to the job – although just for a day.
Merivale High School Grade 9 students Sam Benes and Dayna Xiao won a contest to be Mayor for a Day. Candidates had to submit an essay, explaining what issues matter most to them.
“Even though I think it’s such an amazing city, I think you could do a little bit better on educating people about racism and discrimination,” Xiao told CTV News Ottawa while on a tour of Ottawa City Hall.
“I would like more community involvement,” said Benes. “One of my ideas was an outdoor-interactive art installation.”
Their ideas to improve Ottawa on cultural representation, environmental health and mental health. They entered politics to make a difference, even if it was just for a day,
“It’s important to be involved in the community and know what’s going on,” said Benes.
“It’s so prevalent in our lives,” said Xiao.
Mayor Jim Watson took the two on a tour of City Hall, explained the city’s history while showing exhibits in the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery, and they attended city meetings.
The two students also spent time in an OC Transpo LRT simulator.
“Very cool, it’s a really high-tech simulator,” said Benes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.