My Ideal City: Students participate in mock council debate

Kitchener, Ontario - On the evening of May 26, young visionaries between the ages of 10 and 12 gathered in council chambers to take part in the annual My Ideal City mock council debate. This live, televised event provided students with a unique opportunity to engage in civic discourse, experience the responsibilities of elected officials, and better understand how municipal government functions.

Among the participants, one student’s journey stood out. This year’s student mayor, 12-year-old Maya Salkini, arrived in Kitchener from Syria in 2016 at just 2.5 years old. Selected for the role based on her compelling essay, Maya’s story demonstrates resilience, integration, and the power of community in shaping young minds.

“I am incredibly proud of myself and all that I have accomplished since moving to Canada,” said Maya, a grade 6 student at Williamsburg Public School. “This debate has been an exciting opportunity, allowing me to explore and understand how our municipal government works.”

The My Ideal City contest invited students to envision their ideal municipal programs and services, write a 250-word report explaining their choices, and present their ideas. The chosen debate topic was: “Currently, the City of Kitchener has 15 community centers. As the City grows, should we invest more funds to build additional community and recreational centers, or invest those funds elsewhere?”

“I am incredibly proud of each and every student who participated in My Ideal City,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. This initiative fosters civic awareness and allows young minds to experience firsthand the importance of public decision-making. These students are our future leaders and maybe even future members of Council.”

Participants, teachers, and families were welcomed at a reception on May 5, where winners were announced and paired with city staff and council members to prepare for the mock debate.

The winning essays will be featured in the June edition of the Kitchener Citizen, highlighting the creativity and vision of Kitchener’s future leaders.

For more information, contact

Nasreen
Strategic Communications Officer,
Office of the Mayor and Council
City of Kitchener
nasreenn@kitchener.ca
M: 226-753-6082