Fanshawe hosts Q&A with London-Fanshawe riding candidates

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: KERRA SEAY
Conservative candidate Suzanna Dielman is conspicuously absent at a Q&A with Green Party candidate Matthew Peloza, NDP candidate Irene Mathyssen and Liberal candidate Khalil Ramal.

Three of the five candidates running for Parliament for the London- Fanshawe riding met in Forwell Hall for a formal Q&A session as a way to inform students about the election.

Khalil Ramal from the Liberal Party, Matthew Peloza from the Green Party and Irene Mathyssen from the NDP met on Oct. 5 and spoke on a range of topics from the legalization of marijuana to the Syrian refugee crisis. Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) president Alan Bushell moderated the Q&A.

Conservative candidate Suzanna Dielman did not appear at the event, nor did Independent candidate Ali Hamadi.

Rebuttals were not allowed at the event as it was not an actual debate. It was an opportunity for Fanshawe students and staff to learn about what the candidates have to offer to the London-Fanshawe riding.

NDP candidate Irene Mathyssen has held the seat since being elected into office in 2006. Mathyssen said her goal has been to “pull down bureaucratic barriers”, something she said she has done for residents of the London-Fanshawe riding.

“I’ve listened carefully. If you write to me I’ll write back,” Mathyssen said.

Mathyssen also said if re-elected that she would focus on repealing Bill-24 and Bill-51 and decriminalizing marijuana among other things.

When asked about the changes he would make to post-secondary education Liberal candidate Khalil Ramal said a national strategy is necessary to ensure an education for all Canadians who want it, and that there should be more of a focus on students.

“You cannot build a future without students, without young people,” Ramal said.

Ramal said he is passionate about the area, saying he learned a lot about the community by going “street by street, house by house”, to understand the riding he wishes to represent.

Green Party candidate Matthew Peloza was honest about his level of political experience compared to his competition.

“I’m probably not the most qualified,” Peloza said, pointing out that he has never sat in the House of Commons.

Peloza said what he lacks in practical experience he makes up for by being honest, educated and hard working. Peloza calls himself “an underdog putting up a good fight”.

Peloza is in favour of both decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana and removing the burden of student debt.

The turnout for the event was low, with only a few dozen staff and students scattered around the hall and students were not given the opportunity to ask the candidates their own questions.