'They don't want to make time for us': Students stung after CAQ and PQ sit out of Dawson College debate
Candidates from various Quebec political parties took part in an English-language debate at Dawson college Tuesday with topics ranging from climate change, to systemic racism, to identity politics.
But two parties were notably absent from the discussion: the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) and the Parti Quebecois (PQ).
According to Donal Gill, a political science professor at the junior college (CEGEP), the latter didn't even respond to the invite.
"The CAQ replied and declined to participate. The PQ didn't even bother to answer our invitations," he said.
Gill said the parties of Francois Legault and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon missed out on an opportunity to connect with young voters.
"I think it's really unfortunate. As a political science teacher, I'm always encouraging my students to see avenues of participation in our political system and get involved, and it's discouraging to see parties decline the opportunity."
To Dawson students like Kiana Lalavi, the move sends a clear message.
"They don't want to cater to the Dawson community, that they don't think it's worth their time," said Lalavi, who is a Dawson Student Union executive.
"Regardless of whether they get their votes here or not, these [students] are people they have to represent in government, these are people that are Quebec civilians."
Diana Rice, coordinator of the Dawson College Peace Centre, agrees.
"For them not to show up sends a big message that our students aren't valuable, the diversity of our students aren't valuable, and they don't want to make time for us, and they don't want to make time for the things that matter to our students," she said.
But their absence is perhaps not so surprising.
READ MORE: Quebec only issuing marriage certificates in French under Bill 96, causing immediate fallout
Much of the discourse around Bill 96, Quebec's new language law, was centred on its effect on English CEGEPs.
In January, the CAQ shelved Dawson's $100 million expansion project, opting to prioritize French schools instead.
The PQ was also against the expansion.
"If they can avoid being criticized for their policies regarding Dawson, by Dawson students -- well, they're probably going to feel that's time better spent," said Gill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
'What have we done?' Lawyer describes shock at possible role in Trump's 2016 victory
A lawyer who negotiated a pair of hush money deals at the centre of Donald Trump's criminal trial recalled Thursday his "gallows humor" reaction to Trump's 2016 election victory and the realization that his hidden-hand efforts might have contributed to the win.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
New scam targets Canada Carbon Rebate recipients
Fake text message and email campaigns trying to get money and information out of unsuspecting Canadian taxpayers have started circulating, just months after the federal government rebranded the carbon tax rebate the Canada Carbon Rebate.
Universities grapple with the complicated politics of campus encampments
Montreal police are facing pressure to move in and dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on McGill University campus on Thursday, as a growing number of universities across this country grapple with the tough decision of how to handle the protests.
Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email
A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.
Loblaw leaders call criticism 'misguided,' say they aren't to blame for high food prices
Loblaw chairman Galen Weston and the company's new CEO are pushing back against critics who blame the grocery giant for soaring food prices, as a month-long boycott of the retailer gets underway.
Heavy police presence at McGill University as counter-protesters assemble opposite pro-Palestinian encampment
A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.