Three candidates debating issues affecting students!
As an instructor and alumni of BCIT, I am very proud of the BCIT Student Associations who organized a great event. For a sunny Wednesday afternoon, there were many individuals interested to hear what the candidates of Burnaby South had to say. As guests were taking their seats, a few individuals were discussing how they look forward to putting a face to the name of each candidate.
The following are tweets from the event in the Telus theatre at BCIT:
We are live tweeting from the @BCIT event where candidates from Burnaby South will be debating #cdnpoli #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/Vu8pvRA566
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
Apparently @graceseear will not be joining us today at the @bcitsa forum. The rest of the candidates are here. pic.twitter.com/F5CQYGdlvf
— Rafael Reis (@ReisFinancial) September 23, 2015
Conservative candidate Grace Seear was unavailable to attend the event, even after numerous invites by the BCIT Students Association. All other candidates responded within hours of the invite from BCITSA. The crowd gave a warm reception to NDP candidate Kennedy Stewart, Liberal Party candidate Adam Pankratz, and Green Party candidate Wyatt Tessari.
And we begin! pic.twitter.com/auBUx1vfVd
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
76% of post secondary students plan on voting in the next election as mentioned by the @bcitsa President
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
First question addressing the growing debt load for students. What will each party do? pic.twitter.com/jmE4Hy5PuS
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
Liberals plan on sitting with each province within 90 days to discuss challenges and the $20 billion social investment for housing #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart addresses his success is directly linked to student loans to go to a great school to get out of the prairies #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@WyattTessari discusses relieving students upto $10,000 in debts and making education more accessible. #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@adamjpankratz first rebuttal to @WyattTessari by stating free education is nice but it is costly
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart spoke on behalf on @graceseear who couldn't attend. The @conservatives believe we are all on our own #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
Next topic – youth unemployment @WyattTessari believes 1% of GST should be given to municipalities to fix infrastructure #cdnpoli #trades
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@adamjpankratz notes the 13.1% youth unemployment rate. Introduces the idea of co-ops to hire graduates. NDPs raising taxes will cost jobs.
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart says co-ops are the best way to reduce unemployment and internships that give the same rights as other employees #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@WyattTessari rebuttal that Canada needs to focus on climate change and the Liberal and NDP aren't doing enough #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@adamjpankratz and @kennedystewart exchange blows on the topic of youth unemployment.
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart claims the Senate is a disgrace and the accountability starts with the MP & asks @adamjpankratz if Trudeau did wrong w/ C51
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@WyattTessari believes expenses should be posted and that abolishing the Senate is not realistic. #cdnpoli #elxn42
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@adamjpankratz & @kennedystewart exchange comments regarding the needs of the senate. Adam and Wyatt think removing the senate isn't doable
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart discusses 400k jobs lost in manufacturing. Creating jobs without deficits. #economy #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@adamjpankratz Infrastructure investment is needed more than ever with low interest rates and avoid raising taxes. More taxes for the top 1%
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@WyattTessari raising corporate taxes from 15% back to 19%. Legalize and taxing marijuana as it is a waste of funds charging users #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
@kennedystewart addresses @CPC_HQ economic platform where @adamjpankratz claims @liberal_party is bringing a new platform & vision #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
It was clear Liberal Candidate Adam Pankratz and NDP Candidate Kennedy Stewart were exchanging the most punches, while Green Party candidate Wyatt Tessari was focused on using his time to introduce the Green Party Platform to the young voters. With Adam stating that the past figures will not reflect the results on October 19; NDP Candidate Kennedy Stewart claims the NDP has the only chance of beating the Conservative government.
The comments that generated the greatest reaction from the audience:
@adamjpankratz to @kennedystewart Mr. Mulcair did a great as the opposition & will give them the opposition to do it again #cdnpoli #elxn
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
As well as a few honourable mentions:
@kennedystewart mentioned the NDP would not scrap on TV, riding escalators and attack each other's hair. #advertising #cdnpoli
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
"The NDP want to deliver like Tommy Douglas with a @CPC_HQ budget" – @adamjpankratz and claims the @liberal_party is moving ahead
— Spent (@SpentMagazine) September 23, 2015
The event ended with closing comments from all three candidates. Each ensuring the audience that they will do their best for the citizens of Burnaby South, as they are proud residents of this wonderful city. As the crowds dispersed, I chatted with the individual sitting next to me. I felt I needed to explain that I was live tweeting the entire event and that I was trying to keep up with the action. We both agreed that if individuals voted on the candidates in their riding instead of the party/party leader, this will be a very difficult riding to make a decision (except for Grace Seear).
I really appreciated the opportunity to interact with all three candidates in person and online. I can conclude Burnaby South will be looked after. Whether it’s Liberal Candidate Adam Pankratz that thinks quickly on his feet, or Green Party candidate Wyatt Tessari with his out of the box innovative solutions, or NDP candidate Kennedy Stewart who is on a mission to debunk the Conservative Party of Canada. Everyone needs to register and vote.
For anyone in the Burnaby South riding, check out the next debate, you won’t be disappointed.
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