As candidates make their rounds in the lead-up to the June 7 provincial election, they’re encountering all kinds of audiences.
None has been quite like the crowd that showed up for a forum Monday in Orillia, though.
The gymnasium at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School was packed, mostly with those who cannot yet vote.
The school’s three Grade 10 civics classes organized the meeting, which was set up like most of the Simcoe North candidates forums that have taken place so far.
Naturally, the questions candidates were asked by the students related to teens, who wanted to know how the MPP hopefuls would tackle youth homelessness.
Cher Cunningham, who was representing Progressive Conservative candidate Jill Dunlop, pointed out Ontario’s average income dropped last year, which leads to an overall decline in quality of life. Focusing on strengthening the economy, she said, would lead to a situation “where money can flow into those social programs.”
Green candidate Valerie Powell tried to rally support for a guaranteed basic income. It wouldn’t solve the issue of youth poverty and homelessness, she said, but it would help.
Gerry Marshall, of the Liberals, spoke of the importance of creative solutions, like when the County of Simcoe bought the Barr’s Motel in Barrie and turned it into affordable housing.
New Democrat Elizabeth Van Houtte said housing “is a basic human right, and to have this conversation that some people don’t have a place to live is disturbing.”
The issues related to youth, but they can’t vote, so why should they care?
“It’s ultimately still our future. Knowing what’s going on is good for us,” said Kaitlyn Roberts, 15, who moderated Monday’s forum.. “In the next election, we will be old enough to vote.”
Noah Sternberg said it’s important for teens to learn about the candidates, their parties and their platforms, regardless of their age.
“It’s preparing them for the future. You want them to show up when they’re allowed to vote,” the 16-year-old student said.
Monday’s forum helped some students decide who they would have supported if they were able to vote in this election.
“I wasn’t sure what I was leaning towards, but Elizabeth spoke very well and had all of her bases covered,” said Beth Wenzel, 15, adding the NDP would have had her support.
The Liberals — who have been polling in third place after 15 years in power — earned some new support after Marshall’s appearance at Monday’s event.
“I’m usually not a fan of the Liberals, but Gerry spoke with great authority,” Roberts said. “They all did well.”
The absence of two candidates didn’t go unnoticed by Abby Whalen. Libertarian candidate Cynthia Sneath did not attend, while Dunlop sent a representative in her place.
“It kind of shows where their priorities are,” said Whalen, 15. “The candidates who did come know we’re going to be voting soon.”
Students will still get to cast ballots on election day, even if they won’t count toward the official result. Patrick Fogarty is among a handful of Orillia schools taking part in Student Vote. Find out more about that process here.
