Yalda Sarwar
Editorial Intern
Ruida Lu may appear to be just another 20-year-old York undergrad, but he has major ambitions.
The second-year Schulich student is running as an independent in the Oak-Ridges-Markham electoral district in the upcoming provincial election.
The newbie to the political field says he decided to run due to the lack of transparency in the Canadian political system.
“[I feel] obligated to stand up for the residents,” says Lu, adding that he believes he has the stronger voice his area needs in provincial parliament.
Describing his platform, Lu says he is proposing to modify the Freedom of Information Act in order to give citizens easier access to government information, “so that things like the eHealth scandal [do] not happen again,” he says, referring to the report that charged successive Ontario governments with wasting $1 billion of taxpayer money.
Also on his agenda are plans to advocate for lower tuition and affordable gas prices.
When asked how residents are reacting to his somewhat unexpected candidacy, Lu claims that the majority of the residents favour his platform.
“Some say that they have not benefited from the parties and therefore they want an independent candidate who can serve the community as an honest local candidate,” says Lu.
Nevertheless, Lu admits he does not have high expectations when it comes to winning the election, noting his young age hinders his chances. Yet he claims his candidacy is about taking advantage of the democratic process.
“Young people around the world are putting their lives at risk in order to get democracy and get their voices heard,” says Lu. “I believe that Canadians should do the same, because otherwise, we will be ignored.”
