People of Durham #21 - Sterling Lee, Ajax Regional Ward 2 Councillor

02:22 🏛️ Sterling Lee introduces himself as the current Ward 2 Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor for the Town of Ajax, mentioning his parents will be proud to see him in this role. 03:33 💼 Sterling recounts being downsized from Rogers on his birthday, August 11, 2013, which led to a humbling experience at a Samsung interview before he landed a role at Microsoft by thoroughly researching and presenting a report on their Surface line. 05:52 🏙️ Sterling discusses Ajax's economic development, noting a shift from his initial vision of a tech hub to a focus on distribution and warehousing, attracting companies like Amazon, H&M, and Gordon Foods due to available employment lands. 07:48 🏢 Sterling and the host discuss the challenge of empty office buildings in Toronto due to remote work, emphasizing the need for municipalities to adapt to new work realities rather than forcing employees back to the office. 09:02 🤖 Sterling expresses concern that AI might become a fleeting fad, similar to virtual reality and self-driving cars, due to companies trying to monetize it too quickly, potentially ruining the industry. 12:34 🗳️ Sterling announces his re-election campaign for the Ward 2 Regional Councillor position, a role he has held for two terms (eight years), and explains the distinction between local and regional government responsibilities in Durham. 14:46 🗺️ Sterling describes the boundaries of Ward 2 in Ajax, which he calls "the warden of the north," covering everything north of Highway 2 from Lake Ridge to Harwood, and north of Rossland from Harwood to Church. 15:35 🏛️ Explains recent provincial changes to regional government, including the regional chair becoming an appointed position with "strong chair powers," allowing them to pass legislation with a one-third majority on provincially deemed issues. 19:41 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sterling discusses how being a father to his 8-year-old son has influenced his role as a regional counselor, allowing him to focus on issues relevant to new families, such as recreation programs and active transportation. 22:51 ⚡ Sterling highlights Clarington's emergence as a hub for small modular reactors (SMRs), praising it as a cool tech space for clean energy and a crucial step towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels. 24:16 🚗 Shares his experience driving an electric car since 2017, noting the cost savings compared to gasoline vehicles and addressing common concerns like range anxiety and winter performance. 30:07 🅿️ Sterling identifies parking as the most absurd yet critical issue in Ward 2, explaining that the prevalence of multi-generational families and the lack of a proper parking system lead to residents receiving numerous tickets. 36:39 🌊 Sterling suggests developing Ajax's waterfront with restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions, arguing that while natural beauty is important, economic development can enhance the area for all residents. 43:13 🔮 Sterling discusses his political future, explaining why he chose not to run for mayor at this time, prioritizing his family and his son's formative years, and aiming to leverage his experience as a seasoned counselor. 47:06 🗣️ Sterling encourages younger people to run for municipal office, emphasizing that public service is an honor and a responsibility, despite the challenges and criticisms. 47:57 🍽️ Sterling expresses pride in initiatives like the Ajax food guide, which showcases the town's diverse culinary scene, and his efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through blind resumes and advocating for racialized officers in the police force. 55:38 💰 Sterling discusses an upcoming critical decision regarding a proposed $1 billion, 10-year investment plan for the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), highlighting the dilemma of balancing public safety needs with the current affordability crisis. 01:00:02 🚽 Sterling admits to making a bad decision early in his first term by opposing a $3 million washroom project at Paradise Park, which led to a cheaper, modular solution that ultimately caused more issues, teaching him to trust staff recommendations. 01:01:52 📱 Sterling explains that Ajax uses electronic voting, where residents receive a code in the mail to vote online, making the process simple and accessible, yet voter turnout remains low. 01:03:30 📣 Sterling urges young people to vote, emphasizing that their collective vote can influence policy and ensure their priorities are addressed, as currently, many policies cater to the senior demographic. 01:05:09 🎤 Sterling discusses the decline of political debates, noting that candidates are often advised not to attend due to the risk of saying something unpopular, which he finds disappointing as debates offer a crucial opportunity for voters to engage. 01:12:32 🗳️ Sterling concludes by emphasizing the importance of democracy and voting, urging all residents to exercise their right to vote, as every vote matters and contributes to shaping the community.