Will Adams is taking his dedication to progressive politics to the next level by running provincially to represent Scarborough—Rouge Park. With years of grassroots organizing and a deep understanding of the issues facing the community, Will is determined to bring Scarborough—Rouge Park the bold, results-driven leadership it deserves. Fuelled by a passion for justice and equity, he’s ready to fight for better opportunities, stronger public services, and a brighter future for everyone in the riding.
When the Durham by-election was called to fill Erin O'Toole's vacant seat in the federal riding, Will Adams decided it was time to put his passion for progressive politics into action. Determined to make a difference, he hit the ground running to support the NDP campaign. During this time, Will befriended Chris Borgia, the 2024 Durham NDP candidate, and connected with members of the Durham NDP Riding Association, forming strong bonds with like-minded advocates. His efforts also brought him face-to-face with federal NDP leaders, including Peter Julian and, most notably, Jagmeet Singh. This hands-on experience solidified Will's commitment to grassroots organizing and the fight for meaningful change in Canadian politics.
After Will and his first boyfriend broke up, the heartbreak hit hard. During this difficult time, Will became fast friends with a guy named Evan, who one day hung out with him to lift his spirits. In an offhand joke, Evan suggested Will start a podcast about politics to take his mind off things. At first, it seemed like just a playful idea, but when Will sat down and gave it some thought, he decided to give it a shot. The inspiration came during a live Parliamentary hearing, where Will watched Jagmeet Singh hold Galen Weston Jr. accountable, asking the tough questions Canadians wanted answers to. Fired up by what he saw, Will recorded his first podcast that same day, using only his phone’s mic. The audio quality wasn’t great, but he was proud of his work and uploaded it to Spotify anyway. Almost two years later, now under the name ADAMS TONIGHT, Will continues to provide insightful commentary on the issues that matter most to him, turning that spontaneous idea into a powerful platform for political discussion.
At 16, Will experienced his first love with a fellow student at his high school, who was trans. During their time together, both faced relentless harassment, exposing Will to the harsh realities of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia in a deeply personal way. Though always aware of anti-LGBTQ identity politics as a member of the community, this was the first time he truly experienced their cruelty. The discrimination escalated to violence when Will got into a heated conflict with his childhood friends and they attacked him in a basement, leading him to cut ties with them. This pivotal experience cemented his belief that Canada urgently needs strong, unapologetic LGBTQ leaders in government to champion equality and justice for all.
Before the age of 15, Will struggled to see a path forward, feeling like life would never improve and that leaders didn’t truly care about the challenges people faced. That changed one day while scrolling through TikTok, where he came across a video of Jagmeet Singh addressing the Kamloops residential school tragedy. Jagmeet’s heartfelt words struck a chord, igniting a spark of hope Will hadn’t felt in a long time. As he followed Jagmeet’s leadership on other issues, Will realized he had found the kind of compassionate, forward-thinking leader he wanted as prime minister. By December 2021, that spark had grown into a renewed belief in the potential for change and a brighter future.
Will was just 13 years old when the first COVID-19 state of emergency was declared. He watched as the irresponsibility of some citizens and the incompetence of the Ontario Government turned a crisis into a catastrophe. Like many members of Gen Z, Will missed two critical years of his high school experience, a loss that shaped his perspective on leadership and accountability. The pandemic’s ripple effects were especially devastating for Gen Alpha, whose early years of education and social development were profoundly disrupted, leaving lasting challenges for an entire generation.
Will first became deeply aware of political issues in the late 2010s when General Motors announced the shutdown of its Oshawa plant. The event hit close to home for Will, who comes from a union family. During a class discussion, a teacher characterized the affected workers as lazy and uneducated people who hadn’t gone to college. That moment ignited something in Will. Refusing to stay silent, he stood up and told the teacher they were wrong, defending the dignity of the workers who built their lives and community through hard work. This experience sparked Will's commitment to standing up for workers' rights, challenging harmful stereotypes, and advocating for social and economic justice—a passion that continues to define his work today.