Louroz Mercader

How can we build better connections between youth and our democratic institutions?

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students seated in the Legislative Chamber.

Local Democracy Week (LDW) was launched in November 2009 as a project of DiverseCity Fellows.  Adapted from the UK model, Toronto’s LDW was designed to instill in youth a better understanding of the opportunities that exist for them to participate in local decision-making. Through interactive sessions with politicians, remarks from guest speakers, and building tours, students gain insights into the democratic institutions that shape their communities.

“I’m a firm believer that whether as leaders in politics, business or local causes it is our youth who will shape the future of our communities. We need to do everything that we can to encourage them to bring about change through positive means.” – Steve Peters, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly

Featured program events have included remarks from former Toronto Mayor David Miller, Marc & Craig Kielburger from Free the Children, an interactive “Ask an MPP/Councillor” video booth with TV Ontario, Political Speed Dating with Toronto area MPPs and City of Toronto Councillors, a session on petition writing with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and a session with the Chief Electoral Officer on voter turn out.

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students meet with MPP Michael Prue for political speed dating.

LDW is made possible through the generous contributions and support of the Legislative Assembly, Free the Children, and the Institute for Youth Citizenship and Engagement.

“We heard inspiring stories that touched all of us and hit a soft spot. This was a great experience in order to learn a little more about democracy.”
– Channing Junor, LDW Youth Participant

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students and teachers with MPPs & Councillors following political speed dating

Originally posted on the DiverCity Toronto Blog at this link.

On behalf of the Mercader Family, I would like to send my congratulations to the Royal couple, Prince William and Catherine, on their forthcoming marriage.

I am delighted that this young couple have found happiness together and I hope that the wedding will be a great success.
I wish them success, prosperity and hope that they are able to fulfil all their dreams and ambitions.

From June 30 to July 8, 2011, the newlyweds will undertake a Royal Tour of Canada, their first visit outside the United Kingdom as a married couple. They will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the National Capital Region. I look forward to meeting the happy couple soon.

God Save the Queen

Louroz Mercader was honoured to be nominated for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant in 2011.

You can support Louroz through voting, which takes place online at www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25.

Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Cooksville, Mississauga, Louroz Mercader is a veteran community activist and outspoken youth advocate.
As President of the Mississauga Youth Games, Louroz is a passionate city builder who can bridge the worlds of business, community and government together. He has always had a vision for Canada with a strong, shared sense of social justice, a belief in inclusion, and a real commitment to diversity. Mercader believes building upon our cultural diversity, our greatest strength would not just be our ability to respect diversity, but to fully embrace and celebrate it. Louroz believes that one day our boardrooms, committee rooms and halls of power will fully reflect the faces of the people they represent and serve. In 2010, he ran in the Mississauga Municipal Election for City Councillor, and was placed second with 34 percent of the vote against a long-time incumbent.

Mercader is a city-builder who presently serves as a director on the boards of the United Way of Peel Region, the Young Leaders Council, Safe City Mississauga, and GO Transit Customer Service Advisory Committee.

Take a moment to cast your vote for Louroz, and also forward this message to all your friends in Canada and overseas to encourage his winning of the top 25 Canadian Immigrant award for the year of 2011!

Click www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25, search for Louroz Mercader’s photo by clicking “M”, nominate Louroz Mercader by typing in your e-mail address and cast your vote!.

Voting ends April 18, 2011 @ 12:00pm EST

It’s been said that instead of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes, try taking their seat at the dinner table.

During the week of March 28 and April 1, I participated in the Do the Math – Put Food in the Budget Challenge, living for a week off items commonly donated to local food banks.

I was given a list of items available to choose from for the challenge, such as cereal, a quart of milk, granola bars, Kraft Dinner, canned fruits, vegetables, chicken and peanut butter.

I can understand that the diet will consist of all non-perishable items because it’s a rarity for food banks to be able to offer fresh items such as produce or dairy.

My job has me attending various meetings and events every day, usually featuring a buffet and platters of expensive food and drinks. I’ve struggled to refrain from indulging myself, however I think about the people who don’t have the same luxury and have to go hungry every day.

I admit that every time I have to prepare a meal with my box of limited food items, I want to cry – it’s truly a humbling experience every time.

I can’t help but think about the children and families in my own neighbourhood who have to live off this diet and I’m filled with anger that this is a reality for many in our Province today.

I’ve come to the conclusion that nobody should be forced to live off a food bank diet! It’s time to put food in the budget!

For more information visit: DoTheMathPeelRegion.wordpress.com/

Louroz Mercader

December 31, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario

By any measure, 2010 was a remarkable year filled with success.

We began the year with the launch of my campaign for Ward 7 Mississauga City Councillor. The clean and respectful campaign we ran together resulted in 3788 supporters heading to the polls this past October 25.

Powered by the strong and true friendships I have with all of you, we left positive and lasting impressions on thousands of people. Together we have created a movement of change for the future.

The year’s other major event, the 5th anniversary of the Mississauga Youth Games (MY Games), exceeded expectations. More than 350 young athletes, artists, coaches, volunteers and parents came to T.L Kennedy Secondary School for a celebration of sport, education and culture.

2010 also saw the launch of exciting initiatives:

• The drama class at Rick Hanson Secondary School wrote and presented a play based loosely on my life called “Make Your Mark”
•  The inaugural “Louroz Mercader Youth Leadership Award” was presented to Jade Hilton to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the founding of Mississauga Youth Week.
• Participated in a PhD Research Study led by the University of Melbourne, Australia: self-marketing and personal branding experiences
• Featured in a published book on local civic engagement: “Local Motion” by Coach House Books
• In collaboration with the Speaker’s Office at Queen’s Park, Free the Children and the Institute for Youth Citizenship hosted the 2nd edition of Local Democracy Week with 350 high school students and 20 Members of Provincial Parliament and City Councillors.

William Arthur Ward, American Author said: “A true friend knows your weakness but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”

I want to thank you for all the love and support in 2010. I couldn’t have done it with you!

On behalf of my family, I want to wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2011!

Louroz Mercader

December 24, 2010

Mississauga, Ontario

A Christmas Message from Louroz Mercader

I am delighted to extend to you my warmest greetings and best wishes for the Christmas season.

As we come to celebrate Christmas, I know that all of you will reflect on what a great privilege it is to be a Canadian and on the enormous opportunities this country has brought to all of its citizens.

We end the year and come together at Christmas in an optimistic frame of mind as a nation and as a people. We are a prosperous and successful society – our living standards are high, we recognize the rich diversity of our culture – much to the envy of the world.

This special time of year is an excellent opportunity to celebrate and to show our appreciation for the many qualities that make Canada such a wonderful country in which to live.

But that should not blind us to underprivileged and unhappiness within our own communities. It’s very important that those of us who do enjoy a good life in this country help those of our fellow man who are less fortunate wherever we can.

Christmas is a time for catching up with old friends and, of course, spending even more time with our families. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the deeper significance and spirituality of this time of the year.

I want to personally thank you for your kind support, friendship and love over the past year. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2011.

My family joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas, as well as a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Louroz Mercader

December 23, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario

A Christmas Message from Louroz Mercader

I am delighted to extend to you my warmest greetings and best wishes for the Christmas season.

As we come to celebrate Christmas, I know that all of you will reflect on what a great privilege it is to be a Canadian and on the enormous opportunities this country has brought to all of its citizens.

We end the year and come together at Christmas in an optimistic frame of mind as a nation and as a people. We are a prosperous and successful society – our living standards are high, we recognize the rich diversity of our culture – much to the envy of the world.

This special time of year is an excellent opportunity to celebrate and to show our appreciation for the many qualities that make Canada such a wonderful country in which to live.

But that should not blind us to underprivileged and unhappiness within our own communities. It’s very important that those of us who do enjoy a good life in this country help those of our fellow man who are less fortunate wherever we can.

Christmas is a time for catching up with old friends and, of course, spending even more time with our families. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the deeper significance and spirituality of this time of the year.

I want to personally thank you for your kind support, friendship and love over the past year. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2011.

My family joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas, as well as a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Louroz Mercader

Louroz around the Christmas Tree with his Gradma, Sister and Cousins

It was more than a year before the municipal campaign of 2010 when Louroz Mercader decided to prepare a run for office. He knew he needed help and DiverseCity School4Civics fit the bill.

When Louroz started the program, he found a network of knowledgeable and engaged city-builders he could tap into. Among the group were experienced candidates as well as campaign managers and supportive staff available for advice and direction.

Louroz recognized he was a big picture thinker with a vision that would inspire others. But he lacked the skills to put this vision into action. “The program showed me the value of writing things down, how to create a plan,” he said. It also helped him tell his story or “articulate his narrative statement,” as the program describes it. “If I hadn’t participated in the program,” he admitted, “I would have skipped this important step that helped to differentiate me from other candidates.”

Running in the Mississauga election was the most exciting and exhausting time of his life. And it was through knocking on countless doors that Louroz’s commitment firmly took hold. “It’s in my bones,” he explained. He recounted an evening campaigning in an apartment building when he met two young boys, Philippine immigrants like himself who, coincidentally, attended the same elementary school that he had. The encounter was clearly a touchstone for him. “I wanted to make sure that these boys could have the same or better opportunities than I had.”

While Louroz acknowledged that he didn’t see himself as their role model, he recognized what his leadership could represent. “When we see ourselves in our elected officials it tells us that we are understood and that our issues matter.”

This episode features The Mississauga Youth Games’ Louroz Mercader, who talks about getting youth involved in sports and games, and making these games available to all Mississauga children. He also explains how his involvement with the MYG led him to run for city council in Mississauga.

If you cannot see the video above, please click here.

Episode 4 of a series of episodes exploring the ideas and subjects of the book Local Motion: The Art of Civic Engagement in Toronto (Coach House, 2010).

Local Motion presents an in-depth analysis of civic engagement in Canada’s largest city. Decisions about the things that matter most on a daily basis — our schools and roads and houses — happen at the city level. So, how do we influence these decisions? What motivates ordinary citizens to take action and improve their community? How do neighbours organize together? Does City Hall facilitate engagement, or stand in the way? Local Motion explores how we, as citizens, can make a positive change in our city.

Articles by fourteen in-the-trenches journalists explain what makes Toronto tick and stall. They explore electoral reform, civic organizations, zoning, budgeting, the press gallery and grassroots activism. Taken together, these essays and profiles paint a city in transition, offering many examples of how Torontonians are helping make their city a better, more humane one.

On Tuesday, November 9, Louroz Mercader presented the keynote address to the Maytree Foundation’s School4Civics Post-Election Reception with candidates and campaign workers held at the Wychwood Barns.

Check Against Delivery

Welcome and Thank You

Good Evening Fellow Candidates, Campaign Managers, Supporters and Friends:

I want to begin by thanking the Maytree Foundation – specifically our mentor, role model and friend – Alejandra Bravo!

To her colleague Vivian Gallegos, to all the program facilitators and trainers including Sean Hill, to Ratna Omidvar, and the entire Maytree Team and Family for supporting the School4Civics program.

We all wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for their vision and leadership! Let’s give them a round of applause

Reflection

It’s been a long 10 month campaign, and for many of us – this was years in the planning.

I’m sure all of you had a kick out of seeing your name or your candidate’s name on the ballot, and are humbled that thousands of your neighbors believed in your vision for a better and stronger city to have voted for your campaign on Election Day.

I’m also sure you all have memorable stories that you will walk away with from this experience.

If I may share with you a few of mine, which reaffirmed my passion and commitment to serving the public:

Policy

After months of developing and fine tuning my campaign policy, handing out thousands upon thousands of brochures, I received an e-mail from my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. Where she writes:

“When your pamphlet arrived at my dad’s house, he called me that day and told me that it was the best pamphlet that he has ever read/seen in his entire life (and that’s out of a lot since he was always campaigning and helping people with their campaigns).”

Now – if that alone wasn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is?!

Canvassing

Now, I know all of you absolutely loved canvassing!

On one occasion, I knocked on this Filipino senior couple’s door and after seeing my name on the pamphlet; the women lit up and said “I met your grandmother while at Fabric land and she convinced me to vote for you!”

Now, if it weren’t for our families – grandparents, parents, relatives, cousins, partner and our friends who were always out campaigning full force with us – none of our campaigns would have happened.

Let’s give all our families and friends a round of applause!

Face Recognition

On another occasion, on a cold morning, I was out in front of the GO Train Station handing out 2,000 free breakfast bars stapled to my pamphlet.

A women came up to me, shook my hand and said “Your Louroz Mercader!”

I told her she looked familiar? She said we had never met, but she was following my campaign and that I had her vote!

I was with my campaign chair at the time- Anastasia Tolias – and she saw my delighted look on my face that we were actually connecting with voters!

Powerful Reminder

Finally, the day before the election, I was canvassing a Peel Housing apartment building. At one door, two little boys aged 8 and 10 years old opened the door.

After asking for their parents, they informed me that they were both working and that they were home alone until later that evening.

I chatted with them for a bit and learned that we went to the same elementary school, found out what they aspired to become one day and I encouraged them to study hard and be safe.

It was this simple yet powerful encounter that reminded me why in my heart I was doing this. I was running to ensure that these young people had the same, if not greater opportunities than I had.

It’s was an emotional encounter – one that will remain with me always.

Voting for Change

My last story, I only learned about this past weekend;

A family of five – mom, dad and three voting age children had all only became Canadian Citizens 5 weeks ago.

On Election Day – they did their duty and showed up to the nearest polling station from their house, but because they were new, were not yet registered on the voters list, they were all turned away.

They went to the next polling station and again were all turned away.

By this time, most people would have given up and gone home, but this family of five, were so motivated to vote for the first time that as a last resort they went to City Hall.

They explained their situation, even presented their new Canadian citizenship certificates and the city clerk allowed them to vote on the spot.

I was told that after casting all their votes for me, they were so proud and satisfied to have exercised their right vote as Canadian citizens for the first time.

Now that my friends is creating a movement of change!

Movement Building

You and I may have not won this year, but the movement has begun.

I’m confident and excited that in 4 years time – that movement will only get stronger, larger and wiser and it will be ready to usher in a tidal wave of change across the Greater Toronto Region come the next election in 2014.

We all ran hard fought, passionate and most importantly clean campaigns. Together we should be proud to have run campaigns with class, dignity and respect.

In my election party speech to a room packed with friends and supporters I said the following:

“When you follow your passion…

When you experience that you can do something you never thought you could…

What you realize that there are people out there who can help you…

When you create a team that exceeds expectations…

When risk taking becomes the norm…

When confidence is heightened…

When you realize that you can achieve what you want to…

…You WANT MORE

We Need More

My best friend’s ex-girlfriend and her father Wants MORE,
The Filipino Senior Couple from Fabric land Wants MORE,
The lady at the GO Train Station Wants MORE,
The two young boys in the Social Housing Apartment Wants MORE,
The family of five who just became Canadian Citizens Wants MORE,
The Greater Toronto Region Wants MORE!

I want more!

The only question that remains: ARE YOU ALL READY TO GIVE MORE?

YES!

Change is Coming my friends – See you all in 2014!

Until then, stay strong and in touch!

Thank you.

Louroz