Trustee

So this was a while ago, 13 years, four election cycles or so.

That's when I started following all this.

I had gone in to vote in my municipal election for the first time here in Toronto, and they checked my ID and pulled up my name from the registry and tell me, okay, so you're registered to vote as a Catholic.

And I was a little taken aback.

I'm sure it might sound odd to you too.

But there is, of course, a simple explanation for this, which is that, while I was not, nor am I now, a practicing Catholic, I went to Catholic schools growing up.

Catholic schools, which in parts of Canada, and I don't know if it's like this anywhere else, are publicly funded and have their own school board and their own elected school trustees.

So when they tell you that, they're really just telling you, oh, this is what your school support is listed as.

You're picking from one of these candidates down here in this section.

Though it does still feel weird to be registered as a Catholic.

Makes it sound like the bobbies are going to come throw you in the paddy wagon and drive you back down to Corktown.

I make a mental note at the time to get off said registry, even though my father is adamant in the belief that you can never stop being Catholic.

Well, anyway, the volunteers quickly explain what I'm voting for and hand me my ballot.

Now, again, I'm in my early 20s.

This is my first municipal election.

One of my first times voting at all.

I have given some thought as to who I'm voting for for mayor, the briefest of thoughts on my pick for counselor in my ward, and I have not even considered that I'd be electing a school trustee.

Catholic or no, I probably just wouldn't have voted in the trustee race at all.

But now I've been put on the spot.

I've been told I'm special and have a special responsibility that only 25% or so of the city has.

If anything, my vote counts for more.

So I pull out my Nokia slider and quickly text my buddy Ben.

Yo, Tidswell, can you look up a quick rundown for the TCDSB trustees for St. Paul's? Sure.

He texts back.

But you owe me 40 cents.