The students at Bialik High School in Cote St. Luc got up close and personal with the three main candidates running in the former liberal stronghold of Mount Royal Wednesday night.
While most of the students haven't reached voting age yet, the exercise was meant to get them interested in politics and the democratic process.
The principal acted as moderator while students delivered the questions. In the end, adults far outnumbered teenagers, though some came with their parents.
Geordan Wiseman said he came out to learn about the leading candidates.
“I'll be able to vote in two years so [I came to] just learn a bit,” he said.
“He got to see two highly-qualified professional individuals talk in a professional manner. It's good for young students to see what that's like,” said his father Earl Wiseman.
Some recent graduates who have reached voting age brought their list of questions for the candidates.
“I haven't made up my mind as much as my friend here. I have more of an open mind right now although it could definitely be swayed by what I hear tonight,” said Bialik graduate Morgan Gold.rim
The Q and A focused mostly on the three main party's national platforms, which meant very few surprises from the candidates.
Liberal candidate Anthony Housefather reminded voters of his involvement in the community, and his activism over language laws.
“I was first elected at 24-years-old, so not much older than you. I got involved because I believe we have to care for our community,” he said,
The NDP's Mario Jacinto Rimbao played up his humble roots and tried to appeal to disenfranchised voters, noting that “43 per cent of people in the riding did not vote” in 2011.
Conservative candidate Robert Libman was able to count on a large contingent of supporters.
“Our party differs from other parties when it comes to our approach to balanced budgets and reducing taxes,” he told the crowd.
Mount Royal's outgoing MP Irwin Cotler also attended the forum. Among those in attendance, many admitted their mind was already made up, but it remains to be seen who will succeed Cotler in the riding.
