Student issues were again front and centre during a Simcoe North candidates forum held Tuesday morning.
The candidates were able to share their visions with high school students Monday, but Tuesday’s event was different. These students can legally vote.
Georgian College and Lakehead University teamed up to host the debate at Georgian’s Orillia campus.
Candidates were asked how they would, if elected in the June 7 provincial vote, lower or eliminate student debt.
Liberal Gerry Marshall pointed to his party’s move to provide free post-secondary education to some Ontarians and giving millions in funding to go toward transportation that links Simcoe County’s communities.
Jill Dunlop bemoaned the “declining infrastructure” at colleges and universities and said a Progressive Conservative government would divert money from “the ministry of debt” to more worthy projects, such as “creating better jobs” for graduates.
“We don’t want a minimum-wage economy,” she said.
The Greens would like to see free tuition, said Valerie Powell, who also spoke about the importance of a guaranteed basic income.
The NDP, meanwhile, would focus on grants, not loans, for students and would forgive existing student loan debt, said Elizabeth Van Houtte.
The candidates were then asked how they would improve health care, including mental-health care, particularly for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The NDP wants to create a new ministry of mental health and addictions, Van Houtte said, and provide free prescriptions drugs for everyone.
Dunlop said the PCs would put $1.9 billion toward mental health and addictions.
For the Greens, that figure would be more than $4 billion over four years, Powell said.
Marshall raised the alarm over the PCs’ plan to cut billions in spending, saying, “That money has to come from health care and education.”
A question from the audience about Bill 132, the province’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, led to some passionate responses from the candidates. A student spoke about the importance of the legislation but also criticized the lack of student involvement in the crafting of the bill, especially the section that relates to colleges and universities.
Powell said she once brought a sexual harassment claim against a former professor. “It went nowhere,” she said, but added it empowered others to speak up.
People with “lived experience” should be part of the policy discussions, she said.
Tuesday’s discussion also got personal for Dunlop, who was asked about her support for former PC leader and current Simcoe North MPP Patrick Brown after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
“Patrick Brown is a friend of mine,” Dunlop said. “I’m sure if any of you were in the same situation … you would stand up and support them. I was trusting his words.”
Dunlop also tried to shake her party’s image as an old boys’ club when the candidates were asked how they would support LGBT residents.
“I’m proud that my party has become an inclusive, diverse party,” she said. “It’s not the party that it used to be.”
Van Houtte said the NDP would provide full access to the drugs required for those undergoing gender transitioning.
“We are supportive and inclusive, no matter who you are,” she said.
Powell echoed that statement, saying the Greens have policies to support the LGBT community.
“We’ve come a long way, but we have a long way still to go,” she said.
The times are changing, Marshall said, noting Penetanguishene — of which he is mayor — was the first municipality in the county to fly the Pride flag. The first year the town flew the flag, some residents said, “You’re not doing that, are you?” “Yes, we are,” Marshall responded.
“Eight years later, we actually draw a crowd (to the flag raising).”
First-year social service worker student Mayia Brown was glad she attended Tuesday’s event.
“It’s important because, at the end of the day, we’re stuck with the repercussions,” said Brown, 25. “We have to be the face of change.”
She was happy to hear mental health come up for discussion and, while she was showing support for the NDP, she praised the Greens’ plan for the environment.
She seemed taken aback by Dunlop reiterating her support for Brown, however, saying it “made her look a little bit less favourable.”
Lakehead student Aaron Hiltz moderated Tuesday's debate.
"I was really impressed with the way the crowd got involved," he said. "It's important to build those habits early. Voting should be an event."
The questions from students were "a good indication of how things will turn out in this election," Hiltz added.
"Student voices are getting louder and louder."
Tuesday’s forum was the second-last all-candidates meeting in Simcoe North. The final one took place that afternoon, hosted by the Orillia Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
The Georgian/Lakehead discussion was streamed live and can be found on the Lakehead University Student Union’s Facebook page.
