Candidate: Ayla Heeds

Who are you?

I am a Toronto-born poet who has been living in the concrete jungle with my little one for the last seven years. But I previously called B.C. my home. I repatriated back here for economic reasons (ie. there are no jobs anywhere else in this beautiful country).

I am a poet, a percussionist and an English as a Second Language teacher. I currently work with newly immigrated women teaching the Language Instruction for Newcomers Curriculum (or at least I think that's what LINC stands for). My secret desire is to be a stand up comic because I personally think the kind of mass change we both need and are intensely creating by default is coming whether we like it or not and the only way people are going to do what they need to do for survival is if they actually realize a little in advance what might be coming down the pipeline and, well, here I go with the run-on sentences my Grade 13 English teacher let me get away with, so few of you do but if I can get you to laugh about it while throwing some death-defying facts (like I think that I'm dying and I actually do and so is the rest of the planet -- like the witch Angela in Eldest - sequel to Eragon - a great kids' book by homeschooled American Christopher Paolini-- said, "Doomed! They're all doomed!" She cackled, doubling over, then straightened aburptly. "Notice I didn't specify what kind of doom, so no matter what happens, I predicted it. How very wise of me." She lifted the basket again, setting it on one hip. "I suppose I won't see you for a while, so farewell, best of luck, avoid roasted cabbage, don't eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life!" 

And with a cheery wink, she strolled off, leaving Eragon blinking and nonplussed.


Why are you running?

For the fun of it.


What should a City Councillor be?

Someone who fucking cares.


Anything else?

Yes. I'm highly over qualified for this position.

We need new leaders.