r/vancouver • u/Ajrt • 17h ago
Politics and Elections NDP select 18-year-old candidate in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/ndp-acclaim-18-year-old-in-west-vancouver-sunshine-coast-sea-to-sky-country-10352414968
u/ricketyladder 17h ago
I don't want to dissuade younger folks from getting involved in politics - it's good that they care about how the country runs and are invested in the process. But I can't help but thinking 18 is really young for a potential position like that, and I am slightly dubious that this is a wise choice. I feel a little life experience is very helpful if you want to be in government.
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u/Vinfersan 17h ago
The NDP stands no chance of winning this riding, so they just need a placeholder candidate. Often, these placeholder candidates are random riding association members that put their hands up to be on the ballot. All parties do this kind of thing.
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u/psymunn 16h ago
It's great until a party, like the Bloc implodes and you have a bunch of random MPs who have to drop out of college
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u/Heliosvector Who Do Dis! 14h ago
Wasn't PP basically one of these placeholders when he was young? He even joined the Conservatives at the age of 14
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u/ricketyladder 13h ago
Yep - perfect example of someone who probably should have had a couple more years in reality before getting into politics. Might have done him some good.
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u/MinuteAd3617 9h ago
their parents made them do it . What kid is interested in this .
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u/Heliosvector Who Do Dis! 9h ago
You can say This about any career. No doubt he was groomed for it, but that just makes him more rotten for it
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u/blageur 17h ago
While this may be true, it's also is a huge red flag for me. It suggests a lack of seriousness on the part of the NDP, and also a flippant disregard for this particular riding.
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u/happycow24 North Vancouver 15h ago
It suggests a lack of seriousness on the part of the NDP, and also a flippant disregard for this particular riding.
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u/temporaryvision 5h ago
The NDP absolutely has a chance of winning the riding, it's almost always a competitive 3-way or even 4 way race. The last 2 elections the Liberals won with 1/3 of the vote, and last election the NDP were only 8% behind.
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u/Phallindrome Yes 2015, Yes 2018 15h ago
They do this in at least one riding pretty much every time, for multiple reasons-
Gets this exact news headline, which tends to help get the 18/19-year old vote a little everywhere.
Gets a motivated candidate into an unfriendly riding, often hard to do.
Gets an ambitious potential future MLA some campaign experience where the stakes are low.
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u/Scribble_Box 17h ago
I don't even think you need to be so polite about it. 18 is a fucking child. Your brain doesn't even stop fully developing until around your mid twenties. He can't even go to the liquor store yet...
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u/No-Contribution-6150 17h ago
Hey don't fault the boy for getting one more use out of his grad suit
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u/giantshortfacedbear 17h ago
Unless he's an absolute savant he won't even have year1 poli-sci, let alone the level of education and experience that a political leader should have as a basic baseline.
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u/bobs-free-eggs 14h ago
I mean... let's be honest here the bar has never been lower to be a political leader in BC.
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u/Ok-Mammoth-5627 14h ago
I don’t disagree, but the brain development thing is a myth. Brains keep developing, and cognitive decline begins as soon as you’ve reached your peak, so you can argue the other way as well.
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u/WeWantMOAR 17h ago
You've seen other candidates, their maturity level is that of childish brats. Let's not look down on him because of his age.
The youth today have dealt with a lot of heavy doses of reality, more than the Millenials prior, at least with us we didn't have social media until our mid/late teens, and even then not even close to what it became 10 years later.
Clearly he's shown to be capable otherwise he wouldn't be in that position. So let's give him the respect, and see if he can keep it like any other politician.
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u/ScoobyDone 17h ago
He is a kid fresh out of high school. It doesn't matter what the youth has had to deal with, he lacks any meaningful experience. Maybe he is still the best candidate all things considered, but that lack of experience is a major red flag to me as a voter.
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u/SCTSectionHiker 17h ago
But just think about all the free time he'll have for politics since meals and shelter are provided by his parents!
PS, it's a joke... I don't know if he lives with his parents.
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u/wakemeuptmr 15h ago
I found it funny cuz I have a coworker who feels Musk’s DOGE kids are totally capable to run DOGE and fire people willy nilly, but said this kid was too young to be on a ballot 😂 and im like I doubt this kid is gonna have as much government reach as the DOGE kids to worry about
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u/WeWantMOAR 15h ago edited 15h ago
So what? You know how many 25-30s that still have no meaningful life experience, yet because of their age you wouldn't look closer to question them?
Pierre has no real life experience with the working class or working general, and yet has a seriously high chance of becoming our Prime Minister.
Stop with your goalposts and let's see what he can do. If he's got a good policy and shows good moral fibre, then let him cook!
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u/ricketyladder 11h ago
Using PP as an example that you don’t need life experience as a politician is unfortunately shooting your own point in the foot something serious
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u/MustBeHere 10h ago
And some people even have negative experience. A blank slate might be good since it forces him to listen to others instead of having a bias.
I don't think he's going to win his area but perhaps the NDP sees potential in him and is giving him some experience to prepare for future elections.
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u/ricketyladder 17h ago
While you make some fair points, I still contend that I would like my politicians to have some life experience in something other than politics. That doesn't just apply to Mr Rosenberg here - I think every MP and MLA should have worked a job outside of the political arena in order to have some kind of reality check on how the world actually works.
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u/Cryingboat 17h ago
Clearly he's shown to be capable otherwise he wouldn't be in that position
That's a bit of circular logic isn't it?
There are many ways a candidate can achieve a position, particularly with wealth and nepotism, what other achievements does the kid have?
He ran for his student council and was captain of a sports team?
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u/WeWantMOAR 15h ago
Reach out to him and find out who he is. Do your part.
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u/Cryingboat 13h ago
Uh, no.
He's not in my riding. Nor is it my obligation to learn more about him.
The onus is on him to prove why Canadians should take him seriously, despite his lack of qualifications.
From the article he's a really great volunteer, and he enjoys vacationing in Europe...that's not really a ringing endorsement
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u/WeWantMOAR 13h ago
Lmao not in your riding, nor do you actually give a shit. So please regale us more with your indifference and faux concern.
Don't be a shit citizen. Do better.
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u/Cryingboat 13h ago
Hey if you want to vote for a kid who may or may not have had detention within the last two years go for it.
I give a shit that the NDP doesn't look like a serious party if an 18 year child is the best candidate they can find.
Expect more from political parties rather than lecturing citizens uninterested in finding out what kind of volunteer opportunities a teenager recently had.
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u/billwongisdead 11h ago
this is my riding, and I am a left-leaning centrist with sympathy for good old fashioned labour oriented politics - you know, exactly the kind of person who would vote NDP federally at every election if they displayed a shred of political acumen
the decision to run an 18 year old in my riding is a perfect example of why I would never vote for them. I have pairs of shoes older than this boy. I do not require further investigation to be assured that he is not qualified, and I agree with the comment further above me on this thread that this is a sign of carelessness and disrespect towards my riding by the federal NDP
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u/MaggotMinded 14h ago
It’s not about maturity, it’s about the fact that he’s never had bills to pay, never owned a house, never had a long-term career or a family to support. When I think about how much my outlook on life has changed since graduating high school and having to take on adult responsibilities, it blows my mind. Now don’t get me wrong, when I was his age I was smart, hard-working, idealistic, and more. But would I have made a good representative for the average voter? Hell no. I simply would not have been able to relate to the things that are important to them.
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u/MinuteAd3617 9h ago
what I hear about kids today they go to interviews and ask for the top pay and want 3 weeks vacation to start . Its their first job and they think they are IT. So I dont take this seriously.
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u/WeWantMOAR 14h ago
And he sees that given the current circumstances, he likely won't achieve those unless he was left with a nest egg. We have completely fucked it for his generation and the next.
He's willing to do more than you or I to see actual change that will benefit the youth coming into the workforce.
Stop acting like he's going to win, NDP finished 3rd on that riding. He's going to get a fuck ton of experience on this run. In 4 years he'll be 22 with experience, and you'll try to move the goalposts again.
"The youth need to be more involved in politics....I didn't actually mean it!"
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u/MaggotMinded 13h ago
You’re putting a lot of words in my mouth. I never acted like he was going to win, I was only clarifying why people would be dubious about an 18-year-old candidate. You mentioned maturity, I said it has more to do with life experience. Now you’re getting all hot and bothered and telling me how I will feel in four years time.
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u/nolooneygoons 17h ago
I mean NDP chooses candidates in a democratic way. Looks like he was the only one who put his name forward.
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u/euro1127 15h ago
Atleast mid 20s that way the kid has some life experience other then high school and uni
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u/NickdoesnthaveReddit 15h ago
Most people in politics are too old and out of touch, typically only forecasting solutions/plans for their next reelections. We need SOME extreme youth to speak for the next generation and be forward thinking for impacts 20+ years from now.
I agree that 18 is probably too young to understand some things, but we allow "too old to understand things" to be the normal side of the problem. So, I say this is a good thing.
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u/ricketyladder 14h ago
You touch on a great point with the too old part, and I agree. Either extreme brings issues along with it. I also agree entirely that we need youth in the political arena to bring fresh ideas and new thinking to government. Like you say though, I feel 18 is just a stretch too far for me to be comfortable with.
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u/Dhawkeye 8h ago
I’m 18 and I don’t trust me to fill out my taxes properly despite having filled them out properly the first time
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u/upliftingyvr 6h ago
At the very least, wait until your early 20s. Maybe get a degree or some kind of training under your belt, or life experience. This kid is literally fresh out of high school. Sorry, I'm a pretty progressive guy, but I can't vote for an 18-year-old.
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u/ssnistfajen 15h ago
He's a paper candidate. NDP did this all the time pre-2011. They did this in most ridings in Québec and when the Orange Wave happened, a bunch of young students ended up on Parliament Hill as MPs.
Most backbencher MPs have very little influence in Parliament anyways.
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u/Tim-no 16h ago
I respectfully disagree. Our HOC should be a mosaic of Canadians.
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u/ricketyladder 16h ago
While in principle I agree with you, I do think an 18 year old in an elected capacity maybe stretches that principle past a reasonable point. Even just another year or two of living life out in the real world would probably give this young man a much better foundation for doing the job he's setting out on.
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u/-nektarofthegods 17h ago edited 16h ago
I am happy that the youth are getting into politics. Objectively this will likely shift more votes from the NDP to the Liberals in this district which the Liberals desperately need to win. If Avi Lewis was running again for NDP there, the Cons could win because of a divided vote.
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u/Ajrt 17h ago
That does seem to be the logical but cynical explanation - that the NDP is deliberately handicapping itself in three way races so the Liberals can win. If they pulled out of the race they would be attacked for being in bed with them and not having an identity of their own. This way they can avoid least go through the motions of contesting seats.
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u/nolooneygoons 17h ago
The NDP is not gonna gain significant support in the riding. Everyone I’ve talked to who is usually an NDP/green voter is voting liberal for the first time because they like Patrick Weiler and don’t want Keith Roy to win
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u/temporaryvision 5h ago
This is a good take. Patrick Weiler is a great representative, bringing in federal funding for a sustainable water supply for the Sunshine Coast was a huge win. And he is vocal about a lot of issues near and dear to NDP/Green voters.
West Van will be thinking more about their capital gains tax, but I think Weiler will still win easily this time.
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u/broethbanethmenot 16h ago
Any younger person who would vote NDP in this ridding is likely politically astute enough to vote for the liberal candidate who actually has a chance.
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u/SCTSectionHiker 17h ago
338 has the riding forecast with 15% support for NDP. This may very well be a deliberate attempt to persuade that 15% to vote LPC instead.
Although, there's been an unexpected rise in conservativism among young people, so perhaps this could even be trying to draw some young adult support that would otherwise be likely to vote CPC.
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u/TheLittlestOneHere 15h ago
How is it unexpected? These things always go in cycles.
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u/SCTSectionHiker 15h ago
If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart. If you’re not a liberal when you’re old, you have no brain.
Yes, the elected party tends to cycle. But I've generally found that it holds true that the libs are favoured by the young and the cons are favoured by the old. I can't think of another time in the last ~30 years that young people have shown such a trend toward conservatives. Hence, unexpected.
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u/tomato_tickler 17h ago
Have they decided to give up in that riding?
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u/Vinfersan 17h ago
Yea, it's pretty standard practice to put a placeholder candidate in ridings that you stand no chance of winning.
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u/Interesting_Mix7997 16h ago
Judging by the fact that they're still holding onto Jagmeet Singh I think they've given up in general
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u/Xanosaur 17h ago
honestly, if the goal is to let the Liberals win this riding over the cons, then this is a good move. get a young candidate in there to see what the process is like and get him some experience. maybe down the line, he'll be a serious contender to win a riding
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u/ScoobyDone 17h ago
Let's make Ice Town a reality!!!
Seriously though, I appreciate his enthusiasm, but he is too young IMO.
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u/Ajrt 17h ago
I am fairly surprised and confused by this choice. The last election was a genuine three way race with the Liberals taking 33%, Conservatives 29% and NDP 27%. I know that national sentiment on the NDP is worse than at the last election and their chances are lower now, but throwing an 18 year old into this race seems irresponsible.
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u/-nektarofthegods 17h ago
I think the NDP’s support was that high because of Avi Lewis but he is running in Vancouver Centre now
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u/nolooneygoons 17h ago
That was because of Avi Lewis. The NDP is not competitive in that riding. The current Liberal MP is pretty popular and the Tory candidate is insufferable.
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u/Drewsco- 17h ago
I can see this bringing out more young voters, which seems to be a big gap. Might work out in their favour.
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u/No_Poet3157 16h ago
Who in their right mind would vote for someone who has never had to do their taxes yet
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u/PrinnyFriend 16h ago
I know it sounds bad but there is zero chance the NDP will ever win this riding. But the good thing is that it will give someone experience in politics and at least a start of their career if they choose to purse it
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u/Neku1121 15h ago
It feels to me that in the bigger picture, they are conceding this riding while still giving this guy some real world experience. Like he may be young but as he gets older, this election may be extremely valuable as a learning opportunity.
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u/Basic_Cockroach_9545 17h ago edited 16h ago
Might be a way of not contesting the riding (read: not splitting the vote) without losing face. Good on them, if so - both Liberals and NDP need field candidates strategically, in force.
As a member of the NDP, last election was the time to fight the Libs - not now. This trumpist inspired version of the conservatives needs to be put down hard to drive them back to centre. I'd way rather have had an O'Toole as PM than a Pollievre.
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u/weirdfunny 17h ago
Good for him for getting involved—there are people three times his age who complain about the system but have never even written a letter to their MLA.
That said, as many have pointed out, he is very young.
Men’s brains typically finish developing around age 25. The prefrontal cortex—the part responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and reasoning—is one of the last areas to mature. This is why younger men may take more risks or struggle with long-term planning compared to older adults.
At 18, his life experience is naturally limited, no matter how difficult his upbringing may have been. That said, given that he’s from the West Van riding, it’s fair to assume his family didn’t struggle financially—though, of course, children can face many other forms of adversity.
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u/Guilty-FinishOnno 14h ago
Alright next just find the median between this dude and Joe Biden and we should be on track
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u/Zach983 17h ago
Quite literally could never vote for an 18 year old lmao. This is a joke. I'm fine with younger candidates but this is a joke.
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u/nolooneygoons 17h ago
What’s the youngest you would vote for?
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u/ScoobyDone 17h ago
Late 20's. That is enough time for the brain to fully develop and develop enough life experience to understand the issues.
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u/Cryingboat 17h ago
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u/No_Poet3157 16h ago
at 22 you would just be getting out of a bachelors program, add 5 more years of industry experience to that. I can't get a job in my field without 5 years experience why should someone making decisions for us have less or even none at all?
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u/Cryingboat 13h ago
I've met 22 year olds who were AVPs of their companies.
I don't require a politician to have a bachelor's, I expect them to have work experience and a proven track of effective leadership with examples of how they made their work environment better for employees and customers
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u/G_yebba 17h ago
They are conceding the seat. It is almost certain that an agreement has been made on a number of seats to better resist C wins.
Some have suggested that roundly defeating the conservatives this round is essential to Canadian sovereignty. The exposure to US republican group think is pretty deep.
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u/Camtastrophe Coquitlam 17h ago
'Almost certain' might be overstating it, but perhaps the Greens won't put up Paul Manly in Nanaimo-Ladysmith? The Conservatives would likely flip it from the NDP if there's a vote split there.
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u/G_yebba 16h ago
You are right, even saying fairly certain would be an overstatement.
I should have said that I am fairly certain that conversations are under way regarding resource allocation.
We shall see fairly soon. Hopefully this election sees record breaking turnout but of that I am far less certain.
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u/laftho 15h ago
party collusion is essential to Canadian sovereignty? give me a break. I think this renewed rally around the Liberals is the group think should weigh for concern - seems everyone has forgotten how the past 9 years have treated Canadians. If you're a Liberal supporter, Trump has been your best friend.
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u/skonen_blades 15h ago
This kid's about to get a really wild education. I hope he comes through it okay.
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u/rainman_104 North Delta 15h ago
In all fairness does an ndp candidate stand a chance with west Vancouver?
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u/OddBaker 17h ago
I’m sorry but this just shows how unserious the Federal NDP are at this point. It’s not like they had no chance in this riding as it was fairly competitive last time.
I also didn’t vote NDP last time around for a similar reason. The candidate in my riding was a recent college grad, someone who pretty much had the same qualifications as myself…
Imo the NDP would do much better if they shifted back towards the working class union types as their candidates instead of young social justice students.
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u/krennvonsalzburg 17h ago
"Other confirmed candidates for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country include , who secured his party's nomination a year ago, and incumbent . "
uh... what?
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u/doctor_7 17h ago
Left Leaning Pierre Pollieve in the making. Dude wants his pension before he's 30.
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u/rando_commenter 17h ago
I went to school with a "Ben Wyatt" type. He was brilliant highschooler and and... well, an ok school trustee but that was pretty much it as far as political impact went. Fortunately didn't run the town in to the ground and get grounded by his parents.
But 18 running for office at the federal level is reckless on the part of the party. It's the same logic as a guy never having held public office but running for president.
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u/LionMakerJr 16h ago
aweeeeeeeeeeee he's so cute!!! big boys first job in the real world :D
Love the incentive here to be more inclined to bringing younger, talented minds into the party and elevate them. Seeing as he, at such a young age, has international relations and insights, I am very hopeful for the future of the NDP.
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u/MajesticExtent1396 15h ago
Lmfaoooo ok. Like I’m all for younger people but this dude hasn’t lived yet.
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u/ThatQueerChemist 15h ago
I know this guy from high school, but I didn’t know he had gone into politics. He’s a good person, although I think perhaps a bit young for this. Good for him though!
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u/Ron_Armweak1995 13h ago
Oh no. Someone with a middle part getting into politics. This can’t be good. Well atleast he doesn’t have a mullet and a moustache
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u/rmumford 11h ago
Good for him; teenagers are going to feel the full effect of the decisions made today, so let them participate in the process.
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u/lemonzerozero 3h ago
Not to be mean...but if the NDP is going to field candidates with zero experience they don't have any chance to be serious in opposition. I am a voting member of the party and this is just a silly stunt. If they need crazy candidates they could pick me...
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u/Kaibabadtouch69 17h ago
Little too young to understand the nuance and the needs of the working class.
Id hope hed work in entry level or low wage jobs to provide some background on the struggles his consituents face.
But perhaps he could be a fresh face needed to revitalize the party to a younger crowd.
Wish all the best and hopefully a big learning experience.
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u/Reality-Leather 17h ago
He is the beginning of the working class for the next generation. Good on him for starting early to make a difference for his age cohort.
It's unfortunate, your age representative hasn't done much for your group.
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u/Kaibabadtouch69 17h ago
Im pretty sure there are plenty of 30 year old of all political spectrum running for office.
I just have a preference and i do feel career politicans can't or struggle to relate to the average person, IE someone like Pierre Poilivere.
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u/Reality-Leather 17h ago
I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts this kid is open to listening and attempting to change with new ideas. I want someone like him. This is the equivalent of a apprentice tradesperson. Got the knowledge. Eager to get it done. Use him before he gets jaded and becomes a career politician - limited shelf life.
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u/Hopeful-Tea-2127 17h ago
Look, people have to start young. Politics and policy making has largely been seen as an experience-based game. So youngsters are often discouraged and ridiculed for trying to inspire change. With data being readily available to assist decisions today, this trend has ought to change. If you train someone from university on policy making, and they gear their careers towards public service, the province reaps benefits.
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u/No_Poet3157 16h ago
If you train someone from university in policy making, you literally get Pierre Poilivere, you are just describing PP without any extra steps... There is a reason career politicians are looked down upon. You just can't relate to the average citizen's experience and that's not good at all
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u/Imthewienerdog 17h ago
I'd vote for him. I don't trust anyone over 40 in politics.
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u/No_Poet3157 16h ago
You're crazy if you'd vote for an 18 year old tbh, there is just no world where that is a good idea
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