Candidate debate at St. Thomas

@R:St. Thomas High School students got a chance to see first hand what Lac St-Louis candidates were made of at a debate during their lunch time today.

The event gave future voters a chance to ask questions concerning the Afghan mission, the environment, the economy and Quebec nationalism as they saw it. One student asked how Quebec would have an army if it separated. "We would use military bases already on the territory," Bloc Quebecois candidate Maxime Clément replied.



Spectators were particularly noisy when their substitute teacher NDP hopeful Daniel Quinn took the stand.

“I’ve heard a lot of politicians say in high school debates they ask the toughest questions,” Quinn told The Chronicle. “(The debate) provided an opportunity for students to ask questions and for politicians to provide good answers.”

Students were also involved in the process of putting together the debate as a class project, an experience that gave volunteers an interest in politics.

“I’m actually looking forward to voting,” said volunteer Christine Clogs. For classmates Ashley Logan and Amanda Sijnoretta, it gave them a chance to question current and important issues on things affecting them.

However, not every student saw the event as a great experience.

“I found it biased,” said Brenna Maciy. “When we’re 18 we’re probably going to forget about this, we might remember Quinn since he’s a substitute teacher here but that’s it.”

Moderating the debate was St-Thomas alumni Amanda Theodoropoulos, now a McGill undergraduate in marketing. She believed students asked good questions, but “politicians need to do a better job attracting younger voters.”

Also in attendance were incumbent liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia, and Peter Graham of the Green Party. Conservative Party candidate Andrea Paine did not show up to the debate.