No longer mistaken for wait staff: B.C.'s youngest mayors share early experiences on job

What's the key to being a successful young politician?

If you're33-year-old Brad West, elected mayor of Port Coquitlamlast year, the answer is not branding yourself as a young politician.

"A very wise politician told me don't put yourself in the box," Westsaid.

"Don't run as the youth candidate because when you do that, the message you send to other people in your community is that you're not particularly interested in their issues."

That person was Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworthwho has now been in politics as long as some of B.C.'s young leaders have been alive.

The 2018 municipal election brought a wave of millennial politicians to local government:28 councillors under the age of 40wereelected in the Lower Mainland, including a 20-year oldin the province's most elderly city. In Saanich, voters elected a 19 and 23-year-old to office.

And three mayors were elected under the age of 34 each navigating the new waters that come with running a municipality at a relatively young age.

Lots of listening

At first, Port AlberniMayor Sharie Minions thought it unlikely that herworking-class mill town would choose a 30-year-old woman to lead itinto the future.

"My intent was I would start a conversation in the community that I felt we weren't having. And that was my goal," Minions said. "I thought Port Alberniis not going to elect me because I'm not a typical Port Albernimayor."

Minions has focused on growingthe economy and revitalizing Port Alberni's waterfrontand says that while she has the community's support, being a young, femalemayor sometimes requires a specific type of listening.

"People often want to teach me, and people want to inform me of how things used to be. And my assistant said to me once,'Wow, you sure do a good job of taking all of that,'" she said.

But Minions looks at it as a positive.

"I've really learned to just embrace people who want to help. And that's really what they want. They want me to be successful. So they're trying toeducate me in whatever way they that they feel is necessary."

'A lot less eye rolling'

Port Moody Mayor Rob Vagramovalso had to do a lot of listening.

"Some members of council, theirattitude seemed ... as if they interpreted their job as educators in the community to try to educate people and say 'Well, you don't understand this issue, here let me tell you the facts,'"Vagramovsaid.

"I think that people really do not appreciate being condescended to regardless of age.

At 26, Vagramov became B.C.'s youngest mayor when he defeated incumbent Mike Clay last election, on a campaign of slowing the pace of growth in his community. Before that, he was a councillorand says the change in how he's perceived at meetingsis noticeable.

"I feel now that there is a lot less eye rolling around the table," he said.

And there's a change at some community events, too.

"I'm no longer confused for waiting staff, which is nice."

Understanding affordable housing

ForWest, the changes after being elected at 33were minimal, in part because he had already served three terms on council before getting the top job.

"As mayor, people look to you for leadership in the meetings. And that's something that I've been comfortable with.I didn't start in that position, but I've got there over 10 years on council of learningfrom more experienced members," West said.

He saidhis age gives him an advantageon issues that tend to affect younger people,such such as affordable housing and childcare.

And when it comes to advice for young people wanting to enter the political arena?

"Just do it," he said.

"They don't administer an IQ test before you become an elected official. And so people should know that their experiences in life, whether that'sswinging a hammer for a living, or being a student, or running a business: they're all valid."

Metro Matters: On The Roadis exploring how new city governments throughout B.C. are approaching age-old issues (some political, some not) in their communities.