Summit Speakers & Panelists

Canada’s democracy stands at a pivotal juncture, facing formidable challenges from rapidly evolving technologies, a fragmented information ecosystem, and a weakening social fabric. These issues are rooted in both domestic and global factors.

This session will delve into these critical themes and set forth a compelling call to action aimed at safeguarding the integrity and vitality of Canada’s electoral democracy. By examining the current state of Canadian democracy, its vulnerabilities, and the stakes for the 2025 federal elections, we will address the eroding public confidence in Canadian governance and a growing frustration with our democracy’s ability to address pressing issues at home and abroad.

Join us as we initiate crucial discussions on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, laying the groundwork for the rest of the Summit's conversations.

Sean Speer is an editor at large at The Hub (www.thehub.ca). He is also a senior fellow at the Public Policy Forum and the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Sean previously served as an adviser to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Catherine Corriveau has worked extensively in the public policy, stakeholder engagement, and community development spheres. Catherine's dynamic background and passion for democracy make her a valuable asset in fostering inclusive and participatory governance. With experience in the public and non-profit sectors, Catherine’s experience ranges from developing creative outreach campaigns for minority linguistic groups in Ontario, to supporting experiential learning opportunities for marginalized youth across Canada, to connecting and convening with Canada’s top policymakers, leaders and deciders on pressing policy issues.

She holds an Honours BSocSc in Conflict Studies and Human Rights and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Ottawa, specializing in national security and democracy. Her academic and professional pursuits have provided her with a deep understanding of political engagement, policy advocacy, and strategic engagement and planning.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Catherine is an active volunteer in Toronto and a dedicated member of her local running community.

Oksana is Director, Strategy & Insights at Abacus Data. Oksana combines her passion for data and her curiosity to create impactful research plans, cultivate new practice areas, and support Abacus’s growing portfolio of clients. With nearly a decade of experience in the market research industry, Oksana has worked with clients large and small to ask the right questions and provide insights that our clients can leverage today, tomorrow, and beyond. Oksana has a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a master’s degree in political management from Carleton University.

Michael Wernick is the Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management at the University of Ottawa. His 38 year career in the federal public service culminated in serving from 2016 to 2019 as the 23rd Clerk of the Privy Council. In 2021 UBC Press released “Governing Canada: A Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics”. Wernick contributes regularly to a number of publications and provides advisory services and mentorship to emerging leaders and students. He is a Senior Strategic Advisor to MNP Digital Inc.

Today’s information ecosystem is a conundrum. On the one hand we have more instant access to information than ever before and on the other hand we increasingly struggle to discern accurate and reliable information. This session tackles the urgent need for effective systems, rules and programs to guarantee Canadians' access to trustworthy information during elections.

Much of the information ecosystem succeeds by driving people into polarized camps and feeding them the narratives and facts to reinforce their beliefs. With local journalism in rapid decline and distrust in traditional media on the rise, it is increasingly difficult for voters to find reliable and trustworthy sources of information. This panel will consider innovative policies, community-driven initiatives, and educational reforms designed to strengthen our information landscape. Additionally, we will strategize on future-proofing access to information during electoral cycles, rethinking how we communicate with Canadians to keep them well-informed.

Join us for a dynamic, cross-sectoral conversation aimed at fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry, capable of navigating the complexities of the digital age. This session is dedicated to sparking actionable solutions to enhance Canada’s information ecosystems for the future.

April Lindgren is a professor at the School of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University and principal investigator for the Local News Research Project. She is also editor-in-chief of the Local News Data Hub, a reporting initiative committed to training early-career data journalists and shoring up local journalism across Canada by supplying newsrooms with data-driven stories. Prof. Lindgren’s research investigates local news poverty, the role of local journalism as critical community infrastructure, and issues related to philanthropic support for journalism. She also spearheaded creation of the crowd-sourced Local News Map, which tracks changes to local news ecosystems. Map data tracking where local news outlets have launched or closed since 2008 is widely cited in the work of media reporters, scholars, students and policy makers.

Adrian Harewood is an Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Carleton University. He’s the former host of CBC Ottawa’s drive home radio show All in A Day and was the anchor of CBC Ottawa News at Six from 2009-2022. In 2020 he won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Local Anchor. Adrian has been the guest host of national programs on radio and television including The Current, As It Happens, Sounds Like Canada and The House, Counterspin, Hot Type and Power & Politics. He was also the host of programs on BRAVO and PBS including Literati, The Actors, The Directors, Playwrights & Screenwriters. Adrian is on the board of Journalists for Human Rights and the Writers’ Union of Canada. He has a BA in Political Theory and History from McGill University and a MA in History from Carleton University.

Jennifer Hollett is the executive director at The Walrus, Canada’s Conversation. The Walrus is known for its award winning independent journalism, fact checking, and national ideas-focused events. Prior to this role, Jennifer was the head of news and government at Twitter Canada and has worked as a journalist with CBC, CTV, and CHUM. Jennifer has a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA with a specialization in journalism and communications from Concordia University.

Dave Sommer brings decades of combined experience in communications, politics and digital strategy to his current role focused on helping brands and institutions develop an impactful online voice that resonates with their audiences. Prior to joining Enterprise in 2023, Dave was Head of Politics and Government at Instagram in Washington, DC, where he advised global political leaders, government agencies, NGOs and IGOs on digital strategy and best practices. He also conceived, developed and shipped on-platform products - such as digital “I Voted!” stickers - to help Instagram’s users celebrate key elections and other civic events around the world. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Communications, Digital, for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. From the history-making 2015 federal election campaign to 2019, Dave led the team responsible for all the Prime Minister’s video, web and social media properties, conceiving, writing and producing all digital products in the PMO, as well as planning long-term strategy, and coordination with ministries. Before that, he worked as a reporter, editor and producer in various Canadian radio and TV newsrooms, including CTV National News, where he was headlines and promotions producer.

Long-term factors undermining the health and vitality of Canada’s civil society have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the rise of social media. As feelings of loneliness and isolation intensify, many traditional forums for discourse and connection have shrunk or disappeared altogether. This erosion of social cohesion is undermining our democracy and contributing to a rise in disillusionment and the growing appeal of intolerant extremism in Canadian communities.

This session features a panel of distinguished experts who will delve into the impact of these social shifts. We will examine the role of social media in both perpetuating and mitigating these issues and discuss actionable strategies to mend Canada’s fraying social fabric.

Join us for a critical conversation on how to restore trust, foster meaningful connections, and strengthen the foundation of our democracy amidst these challenging times. This session aims to inspire practical solutions to rebuild a resilient and inclusive civil society.

Amira Elghawaby, a journalist and human rights advocate, became Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia in January 2023. Prior to her appointment, she was a contributing columnist at the Toronto Star, offering frequent media commentary on equity and inclusion. Amira, with a background in strategic communications and campaigns, previously worked at the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and held roles in Canada’s labour movement and the National Council of Canadian Muslims. Amira has been actively involved in initiatives countering hate and promoting inclusion, including as a founding board member of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. She has served two terms as a Commissioner on the Public Policy Forum’s Canadian Commission on Democratic Expression and currently sits on the National Security Transparency Advisory Group. A writer-in-residence at the 2019 Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Amira holds an honours degree in Journalism and Law from Carleton University (2001). Her 2019 TedX Ottawa talk is titled “Multiculturalism: Worth Defending.”

Katherine O’Neill joined YWCA Edmonton as Chief Executive Officer in 2020. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of girls and women and inspiring people to hear the important call of community service.

Katherine has worked in leadership positions in communications and politics throughout her career. A writer by trade, she spent most of her journalism career working as a national correspondent with the Globe and Mail, dispatching stories from across Canada and even the battlefields of Afghanistan in 2008. After leaving journalism, she led several political organizations in Alberta. She also ran a small communications company that specialized in crisis communications and media relations.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University. In 2022, Katherine was awarded Alberta’s Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her public service.

Shachi Kurl is President of the Angus Reid Institute, Canada’s non-profit foundation committed to independent research. She works with public opinion data to further public knowledge and enhance the national understanding of issues that matter to Canada and the world.

Kurl is often found offering analysis on CBC’s “Power and Politics”, in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Globe and Mail, and on the editorial pages of the Ottawa Citizen, among other places. In October 2020, she moderated BC’s only televised provincial election debate, presented by the British Columbia Broadcast Consortium.

She spent the first part of her career as political reporter and holds a degree in Journalism and Political Science from Carleton University. She returned to Carleton University as an Adjunct Research Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication in 2022.

Kurl is a recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Award for Best TV Reporting. Along with former Australian and UK Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Margaret Thatcher, she is an Alumnus of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. She is a national co-chair of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Kurl moderated the 2021 English language leaders debate during the 44th federal election. She also won the Industry Marvel Award from Darpan Magazine in October of that year.

Entrepreneurial and innovative, Sharon Avery has been challenging traditional notions of fundraising and philanthropy throughout her thirty-year career.

As President & CEO of Toronto Foundation, Sharon has championed “new philanthropy” an inclusive, participatory, and power-shifting approach to charitable giving and grant-making. With Sharon at the helm, Toronto Foundation has become a gathering place for diverse new philanthropists, community organizations and grassroots leaders to embark on learning journeys and build partnerships to more effectively fight inequality in the city.

Under her leadership the Foundation has introduced programs, such as Vision 2020 and Vision Next, aimed at mobilizing next generation philanthropists; the Trust Collective, focused on investing in women and girls; and harnessing the potential of social impact investing. Sharon played an instrumental role in helping secure $300 million in government funding to support global gender equality through the Equality Fund, an innovative multi-sector partnership between the non-profit sector, philanthropists and investors.

Armed with a broadcasting degree Sharon found her real calling in the charitable sector and has held senior roles at UNICEF, SickKids Foundation, Save the Children Canada and Tim Horton Children’s Foundation.

Canada is recognized globally for its robust electoral system, particularly excelling in campaign finance and electoral management. Despite this, emerging technologies pose new challenges and opportunities for electoral integrity. This panel will focus on the intersection of technology and elections, examining how innovations like AI and online platforms impact voting security, misinformation spread, and public trust in democratic institutions.

We will delve into the complexities introduced by technological advancements, including AI, and increasing signs that social media platforms are moving away from their commitment to ensuring accurate information about elections. We will consider the implications of recent revelations about foreign interference and steps we can stake to prevent and respond to future interference. Join us to discuss how we can future-proof electoral integrity and rethink our communication methods with Canadians in this evolving digital landscape.

Dave Leichtman is the Director of Corporate Civic Responsibility at Microsoft. As part of the company’s Democracy Forward program, he leads nonpartisan civic engagement efforts and works with election officials and those upholding democracy worldwide to address tech, security, and AI needs. Dave also leads the company's internal US and international election strategy.

Dave has held this and similar roles for 10 years at Microsoft. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at several US political technology firms. He also served as state leadership for a major US political party for over a decade.

Dave holds a B.S. in Physics and Computer Science from William & Mary and an M.S. in Particle Physics from University of Washington. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Holly Ann Garnett is the Class of 1965 Professor of Leadership and an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Economics at the Royal Military College of Canada. She is cross-appointed faculty at the School of Policy Studies and Department of Political Studies at Queen’s University and an Honourary Research Fellow at the University of East Anglia.

Garnett’s research examines how electoral integrity can be strengthened throughout the electoral cycle, including the role of election management, registration and voting, cyber-security and election technologies, civic literacy, and campaign finance. Her most recent work published on these topics include Cyber-Threats to Canadian Democracy (MQUP, 2022; edited with Michael Pal) and Building Inclusive Elections (Routledge, 2020; edited with Toby S. James). She is the 2023 recipient of the Cowan Prize for Excellence in Research at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Garnett is co-director of the Electoral Integrity Project, a global network of academics and practitioners that engages in empirical research, publicly-accessible data collection, and stakeholder engagement on issues relating to election quality around the world. She is also co-investigator with the Human-Centric Cybersecurity Partnership (HC2P); co-investigator with the Consortium on Electoral Democracy (C-Dem); fellow with the Queen’s Institute for Intergovernmental Relations (IIGR); and collaborator with the Investigate Journalism Foundation’s work on campaign finance in Canada.

Joshua Kilberg leads a cyber threat assessment program at the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, a part of the Communications Security Establishment. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s centre of excellence for cyber operations. As one of Canada’s key security and intelligence organizations, CSE protects the computer networks and information of greatest importance to Canada and collects foreign signals intelligence.

CSE and the Cyber Centre play an integral role in helping to protect Canada and Canadians against foreign-based terrorism, foreign espionage, cyber threat activity, kidnapping of Canadians abroad, attacks on our embassies, and other serious threats with a significant foreign element, helping to ensure our nation’s security, stability, and prosperity.

On June 5th, David Frum will speak to the impact of democratic backsliding in the US on Canada’s democracy, the importance of informed civic participation, and what the future holds for Canada’s electoral democracy.

A renowned political commentator, prolific writer for The Atlantic and frequent commentator on MSNBC and The Hub, David Frum has been instrumental in shaping the political discourse in both Canada and the United States. His critiques, rooted in a deep understanding of conservative principles, have made him a respected figure in political circles. Well-known for his sharp criticism of both Trump and the Tea Party, he provides a unique and often contrarian perspective on the challenges faced by liberal democracies.

David Frum is a staff writer at the Atlantic.

Frum is the author of ten books, most recently TRUMPOCALYPSE: Restoring American Democracy (HarperCollins, 2020). His first book, Dead Right, won praise from William F. Buckley as “the most refreshing intellectual experience in a generation” and from Frank Rich in the New York Times as “the smartest book written from the inside about the American conservative movement.” In National Review, John Podhoretz hailed Frum’s history of the 1970s, How We Got Here, as “an audacious act of revisionism, written in a voice and style so original it deserves to be called revolutionary.” Arianna Huffington said of Frum’s 2012 novel, Patriots, “David Frum is someone who fearlessly speaks his mind, regardless of where the chips may fall, so it’s no surprise he’s able to convey so much truth in his fiction.” Frum’s memoir of his service in the George W. Bush administration, The Right Man, was a New York Times bestseller, as was his 2018 book, Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic.

David Frum has been active in Republican politics since the first Reagan campaign of 1980. From 2014 through 2017, Frum served as chairman of the board of trustees of the leading UK center-right think tank, Policy Exchange. In 2001-2002, he served as speechwriter and special assistant to President George W. Bush.

David Frum holds a BA and MA in history from Yale and a law degree from Harvard, where he served as President of the Federalist Society.

He and his wife Danielle Crittenden Frum live in Washington DC and Wellington, Ontario. They have three adult children.

Susan Delacourt is an Ottawa-based columnist for the Star, where she has been covering politics on Parliament Hill since the late 1980s. A political science graduate of Western University, she's written four political books; her latest, Shopping for Votes, was a finalist for the 2014 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize in non-fiction. Susan is also a regular commentator on CBC and CTV, and has taught journalism and political communication at Carleton University.

Two provincial Chief Electoral Officers will discuss what resources and enforcement measures can be used to combat mis-dis information impacting electoral integrity during an election year. They will touch on provincial and national resources, and their relationship with municipalities in addressing this issue. Elections British Columbia will discuss its recent adoption of legislation addressing this challenge in their efforts to maintain trust during their general election year.

Anton Boegman was appointed as British Columbia’s Chief Electoral Officer on June 1, 2018, after serving in senior leadership roles at Elections BC since 2005. Acknowledged as a planning expert and innovative leader, Anton is passionate about accessible elections and preserving electoral integrity. As CEO he has focused on how election agencies can respond to emerging challenges in election administration, including disinformation and foreign interference. He is a former naval officer with an MBA from Athabasca University.

Allison Harell is a Professor of Political Science at the Université du Québec à Montréal and the co-director of the Consortium on Electoral Democracy (C-Dem). She is a principal investigator on the 2019, 2021 and upcoming Canadian Election Study (CES) and has published broadly on questions of electoral behavior and public opinion. She is broadly implicated within the social science community in Canada, serving as a fellow at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), an associate director of the Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship (CSDC) and co-founder of the Laboratoire d’analyse en communication politique et d’opinion publique (LACPOP). She was a elected as a member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada in 2018 and is currently serving a three-year elected term on the governing council of the International Society of Political Psychology.

Greg Essensa was appointed Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer with the unanimous consent of the Legislature in June 2008. He is the seventh person to hold the position. Mr. Essensa has over 35 years of municipal, provincial and international election experience.

He began his career as a student worker in the former City of Toronto’s election warehouse. Over the years, he took on positions of increasing scope and responsibility and prior to his appointment he served as the Director of Elections and Registry Services for the City of Toronto.

A dedicated election official, governments of all levels, associations and not-for-profit organizations have sought his election administration expertise. He has advised on municipal elections in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and New Brunswick and primary elections in Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

Born and raised in Toronto, Mr. Essensa studied economics at McGill University.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario will present and continue the development of research and outreach related to its Healthy Democracies project aimed at promoting the value and importance of municipal governments in Ontario's political system, while focusing on the importance of diversity of leadership and perspectives.

On June 6th, Naheed Nenshi will share his experiences as a former elected leader breaking barriers, emphasizing the potential for transformative community building, the value of a diversity of voices, and the importance of resilience. His insights into online discourse and its impact on public figures will contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges faced by leaders in the digital age.

As the first Muslim Mayor of a large North American city, Naheed Nenshi is recognized as a trailblazer in municipal governance. While serving as the Mayor of Calgary, Nenshi focused on innovative solutions and fostering inclusivity. He is credited with successfully leading Calgary through several crisis including floods and the pandemic while navigating an increasingly toxic political environment.

During his 11-year tenure as mayor, Naheed Nenshi led Calgary through one of its most prosperous and tumultuous decades. Alongside unprecedented investment in quality of life, Calgary also saw four states of emergency called that included a devastating flood and a worldwide pandemic. Nenshi’s leadership earned him both national and international recognition, with him being ranked #2 on Maclean’s 2013 Power List and awarded the 2014 World Mayor Prize. Drawing on his extensive experience, Nenshi shares insights into Canada’s political landscape and shows leaders how to empower their teams for success no matter the circumstances.

Nenshi served as Calgary’s mayor for three terms between 2010 and 2021, during which Calgary was named one of the best cities to live in the Western Hemisphere. In recognition of his leadership, Nenshi was awarded the World Mayor Prize in 2014 by the City Mayors Foundation. He is also the recipient of the President’s Award from the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Psychological Association for his contribution to community mental health.

Prior to his election, Nenshi served as Canada’s first tenured professor of non-profit management at the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University. Before entering academia, he was a management consultant for global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, and ran his own firm, Ascend Group. His client list included the United Nations, where he explored how corporations can help the world’s poorest people, and the Gap. Today, Nenshi is an intentionally known voice on urban issues. He has presented to audiences across Canada and the world, including the World Economic Forum.

Nenshi is a graduate of the University of Calgary, where he served as president of the students’ union, and holds a master’s in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he studied as a Kennedy Fellow. He is a proud first-generation Canadian of Indian ancestry, whose parents immigrated from Tanzania. His family and his Ismaili Muslim faith instilled in him the ethic of seva, or service to the community, something he tries to live every day.

John founded the Democratic Engagement Exchange in 2017. John’s passion for democratic engagement started while biking across North America when strangers from all walks of life took pity on a sweaty teenage kid and opened up their homes, shared a cold drink, provided him a hot shower and shared a little of their lives.

Since then, John has had the opportunity to work for the US Congress, exhibit photos at the United Nations, and lead national engagement efforts for organizations like the Samara Centre for Democracy and Pathways to Education.

Through these professional and personal experiences, John continues to be reminded of the wisdom that resides in our communities when we take the opportunity to engage and listen.

This interactive session will delve into the dynamics of polarization through both an academic lens provided by C-Dem, focusing on the latest research on the need for healthier debate environments, and a practical program civil society perspective from CityHive, which highlights the role of community organizations in facilitating these critical dialogues. Structured to foster a cross-sectoral exchange, the session includes breakout conversations where participants can actively discuss and develop solutions to the challenges of polarization.

Laura B. Stephenson is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Western Ontario. She specializes in political behaviour, elections, and voting and is co-director of the Consortium on Electoral Democracy.

Rowan Gentleman-Sylvester (she/her) is the Executive Director at CityHive, an award-winning non-profit organization on a mission to transform the way that young people are engaged in shaping their cities and communities. Rowan is an experienced convenor, educator, and engagement practitioner and has designed and delivered programs exploring issues of resilience, housing, and public space. Rowan has also worked with clients like Translink, Metro Vancouver, and BC Hydro, ensuring that young people's perspectives are shaping the future of our region.

Miley Leong 梁伟祺 (she/hers) is CityHive’s Engagement Consulting Manager and works with city shaping institutions to transform how young people are engaged. She has extensive experience working with multiply-marginalized youth through equitable community engagement. From mobilizing local and national youth engagement at Apathy is Boring, to leading provincial policy and public engagement with BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, Miley brings a depth of knowledge on how to bridge the gap between youth and institutions.

Young people bring fresh perspectives, valuable experiences, and vibrant energy to their roles as elected leaders, yet they face unique challenges when seeking office and serving.

In this session, we will hear directly from young leaders about the multifaceted obstacles they encounter in the political arena. We will also learn about policy and program responses to address these challenges and foster inclusive democratic engagement to empower young leaders at all levels of government.

Join us to discover how we can amplify the voices of the next generation and harness their potential to drive meaningful change in our political landscape. This session aims to inspire practical solutions that will pave the way for young leaders to thrive and shape the future of Canadian democracy.

Sabrina Grover is the founder and principal of Shakti Strategies and is an experienced political, advocacy and communications professional who has worked extensively with civil society and non-profit organizations both in the Canadian and international contexts. Sabrina has been involved in politics in both Ontario and in Alberta since she was 21 years old. In 2021 she ran as the Federal Liberal Candidate for Calgary-Centre in the Federal Election and most recently she served as the campaign manager for the winning Mark Sutcliffe Campaign for Mayor in Ottawa. Sabrina has also served as an international election observer being deployed in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka as well as the co-chair of the 2018 G7 Youth Summit in Canada. Professionally, Sabrina's consulting practice has focused on the international development and global health sectors pursuing advocacy with Canada and beyond our borders.

Daniel Stockemer is Full Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa and since May 2021 chair holder of the Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Connecticut (2006), a teacher’s and Master’s degree from the University of Mannheim (2007), and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut (2010). His research focuses on key challenges of representative democracies. These include (1) the effects of migration on political attitudes, (2) the populist tide that has swept the world, (3) transformations in the conduct of elections and the determinants of vote choice, and (4) unequal representation of various cohorts of the population including women, minorities and youth. Throughout his academic career, Daniel has published 5 single authored books, 3 edited volumes, 2 textbooks and more than 150 articles in peer reviewed journals. Daniel is very active in the discipline of political science and has several editorial commitments. Since the fall of 2019, he is an editor of the International Political Science Review, and in early 2020, he started editing the Springer Book Series in Electoral Politics.

Alex (he/they) is an avid volunteer, committed environmentalist, and experienced organizer, with a proven and extensive track record of working together with neighbours and communities to create positive change. Elected in 2022 as a City of Hamilton Councillor, Alex represents the communities of Dundas and Flamborough in Hamilton's Ward 13. At the time of their election, Alex made history as the youngest councillor ever elected in the post-amalgamation City of Hamilton. Before their election, Alex worked as the Legislative Assistant for local MPP and Official Oposition Environment Critic Sandy Shaw.