Student leaders from across the province were in Montreal Sunday, hearing out prospective MPs who debated topics of interest to younger voters.
Members of the student group FECQ listened to the parties' stances on matters such as the environment, education and jobs.
In the last federal election, less than 40 per cent of people under 25 came out to vote compared to 60 per cent of the general population.
The NDP's Matthew Dube spoke about an internship protection act, welcomed by student leaders.
“We want students who have a lot less experience than employees to at least have the same level of protection and also to be able to get paid when they work for a company,” said FECQ president Antoine Cote.
Liberal candidate Melanie Joly outlined the Liberals' job plan for young people, who struggle more than ever to get into the workforce.
“We have a plan to invest $1.3 billion in the next years to create 40,000 jobs for young people,” she said.
Some in the audience were concerned with the Energy East pipeline and oil movement by train. The parties agreed that as inheritors of the earth, youth have a responsibility to shape Canada’s environmental policies.
“It will be the young people that will have to do the cleanup for these spills,” said Green Party candidate Daniel Green.
The Bloc Quebecois came out with a proposal to make it simpler for students to check the box, saying there should be polling stations in colleges and universities.
The Conservatives chose not to take part in the debate.
