Meet Our Youth Councillors: Emily and Leah

Did you know that the Municipality of Port Hope has two Youth Councillors? Emily and Leah serve as representatives for the young people of our community, bringing energy, ideas, and a strong sense of civic pride to the Council table. Through this role, they share the perspectives of local youth, helping ensure that their voices are reflected in municipal decision-making.

Council recognizes that youth engagement is an important part of a thriving and inclusive community. To support this, Council directed staff to initiate the appointment of Youth Councillors - a process that included posting for the position and interviewing several excellent candidates. Following this process, Emily and Leah were selected and have been contributing meaningfully in their roles since their appointments.

Meet Emily

Emily describes herself as an outgoing and enthusiastic leader who was inspired to join Council to become more involved in her community.

“Being a youth councillor means helping show the youth of Port Hope that they have a voice and how important it is,” she says.

Emily is passionate about expanding youth programs, improving access to activities, and ensuring young people feel supported and valued. She enjoys the friendly, tight-knit nature of Port Hope and loves participating in community events. Through this experience, she hopes to build confidence in public speaking and community engagement.

Meet Leah

Leah first learned about the Youth Councillor position through a municipal posting and decided to apply after realizing the opportunity to make a difference for local youth.

“Being a youth councillor means identifying issues that affect youth and bringing forward perspectives that may be unintentionally overlooked,” Leah explains.

Leah values Port Hope’s strong sense of community and is interested in improving safety and accessibility for youth, such as enhanced street lighting. She believes young people can strengthen their influence by engaging with Council and sharing their ideas.

Together, Emily and Leah embody the leadership, empathy, and community spirit that make Port Hope such a vibrant place to live.

Get involved!

If you’re a young person in Port Hope, your ideas and experiences matter. Reach out to Emily and Leah to share your thoughts on the issues, projects, and opportunities that interest or concern you. Your voice helps shape the future of our community. Contact the Youth Councillors by visiting porthope.ca/council.