My name is Aidan D’Souza, and I am a member of the Canadian Youth Road Safety Council. I graduated from three public safety programs, where I studied traffic enforcement, investigations and road safety techniques.
During my time on the Canadian Youth Road Safety Council, I participated in the Snap for Change project. Through this initiative, I took action to improve traffic safety in a Toronto neighbourhood where a newly built school had increased pedestrian activity. The intersection was busy, the road was narrow and I identified the need for a stop sign to make the area safer for both pedestrians and drivers.
I shared my concerns and recommendations with my local councillor, advocating for the safety of students, families and everyone using the intersection. A few weeks later, I was incredibly proud to see a stop sign installed. Knowing that I was able to help create a positive change in my community showed me that young people can make a real difference when they speak up. Throughout the process, I learned how important it is to work collaboratively with local government and community leaders to bring attention to issues that matter.
I believe it’s important for youth to have a voice in shaping their communities. Young people often bring unique perspectives and ideas. By getting involved and speaking up, we can help create safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities for everyone.