(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Chad Klassen)

By Chad Klassen

2019 FEDERAL ELECTION

South Kamloops Secondary hosts local candidates ahead of federal election

Oct 2, 2019 | 8:41 PM

KAMLOOPS – All seven candidates vying to represent Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo in parliament made an appearance at South Kamloops Secondary School on Wednesday, answering questions from high school students, some of whom are eligible to vote in the Oct. 21 election.

Students packed into the school library to hear from the candidates about their platforms and how they will represent the people of this riding. The floor was then opened to students who asked questions of specific candidates about everything from helping the B.C. forest industry, the climate, and First Nations reconciliation.

WATCH:

South Kam student Maia Manshadi had some questions for those who attended.

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“My question for the candidates was what they’re going to do to improve the truth and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples, because there is not much being done about it at the moment.”

Meanwhile, fellow student Raiden Yamaoka found there was some thoughtful discussion to take away from the event.

“I definitely thought that the Communist Party had a very big point about how we over fund the government military. I thought that was a very amazing point.”

And after the event concluded, South Kam student Thomas Faraone felt the environment solutions could have been addressed further.

“I thought it was interesting what Ken (Finlayson) from the People’s Party of Canada was saying about the CO2 gas. He was kind of concerned about telling us that’s not a problem rather than telling us about the real problem and how we can fix it.”

Social Studies teacher John Annicchiarico organized and moderated the all-candidates debate, wanting to give the students a crash course on the issues and an opportunity to challenge candidates on their views.

“Our new curriculum in the province of British Columbia involves what is called ‘core competencies’, and part of that is social and personal responsibility,” Annicchiarico explains, “So we in the socials department felt it would be a great opportunity for students to exercise their personal responsibility by asking questions of our candidates and our leaders.”

Annicchiarico says South Kam students will be taking part in the nationwide student vote, casting a ballot in their own classrooms, whether they’re eligible to vote or not.

The school is trying to give them all the resources needed to research the party platforms leading up to the federal election on October 21.