American Express Canada’s Room For Thought will pair three visionaries with influential celebrity mentors who will help them bring their big ideas to life. Who do you think should be mentored by Emily Haines? It’s time to cast your vote!

The range of ideas submitted by the budding entrepreneurs include everything from sending used sewing machines to India to documenting climate change in Canada through photography. There really is a lot of room for thought here as each submission is incredibly innovative and inspiring, and focus on positive change on both a local and international scale.

Marc and Craig Kielburger, of Free the Children, will mentor the winner within the category of community. Beyond Survival’s Les Stroud, will work with the winner within the Travel & Adventure category and Metric’s Emily Haines will help to bring the winning music idea to life. Rock on! So who is going to win this amazing opportunity? YOU CHOOSE!

Meet the 9 Finalists who made the cut:

Community

Survivor Garden – Lisa Shanker
This idea is to start a therapeutic garden for people recovering from serious illness.

The Rupali Project – Jody Cason
This idea is to send used sewing machines to India to create prosperity for third world women.

Miracle on Your Street – Christina Parkhurst
This idea is to take a community Christmas Spirit Dinner nationally.

Find out more and VOTE NOW!

Travel

Preserving Time – Robert Postma
This idea is to photograph remote parts of Canada to document climate change.

Canadian Road Trip – Carl Fortier
This idea is to take the underprivileged on a cross-Canada road trip.

The Second Chance Travel Co-op – Evan Malach
This idea is to give underprivileged youth the chance to travel the world.

Find out more and VOTE NOW!

Music

GHOST II – Andrew Huang
This idea is a music installation piece that lets users interact with music in a unique way. Multiple videos, each containing a different audio track, will be controlled by the audience.

Everyone’s Recording Studio – Sasha Spachak
This idea gives people free access to instruments and recording equipment.

Music Mentors – Nicole Vanderburg
This idea pairs high school music students with younger kids who can’t afford lessons

Find out more and VOTE NOW!

Gee, this is going to be hard. They are all so good! We wish all of you best of luck.