If one of your dreams has been to chat with a prominent local female politician, now is your chance.

On Wednesday, November 15, Irene Mathyssen, Member of Parliament, London-Fanshawe will be meeting with students at Fanshawe College for a question and answer town hall session to discuss issues that concern students.

The public meeting will be followed by a luncheon with Fanshawe Student Union executive and faculty members to further discuss important issues addressed.

Mathyssen, who grew up in London, was elected MP for London-Fanshawe in 2006 and currently holds critic roles in Housing and Status of Women.

Since the January election, Mathyssen has been dedicated in both of her critic roles and for the needs and priorities of Londoners. She has fought to stop Conservative cuts to affordable housing, advocated for better childcare and not-for-profit daycare, defended women's programs and equity laws, and worked with student groups to fight rising post-secondary education costs.

Tuition, affordable housing, and child care were three points that Mathyssen said were the most important aspects the NDP were concentrating on in terms of education during an interview last year with the Interrobang.

“I think that those three things impact a lot of students. In terms of tuition fees we want to reduce and freeze tuition fees, and bring back grants, other then Japan we're the only country in the elite eight that doesn't have a grant system for students,” Mathyssen said.

“We want to revamp the loan systems because students are leaving with a brick of debt and the average is up around $25,000 for undergraduates. That is not acceptable.”

Prior to winning a federal seat, Mathyssen was a secondary school English teacher, teaching at several schools in London, including Clarke Road S.S. in the London-Fanshawe riding.

Mathyssen organized and supported many student clubs and activities designed to educate and motivate students about multi-culturalism, anti-racism and equity issues.

During her time as a Member of Provincial government Mathyssen fought city hall over the privatization of London Hydro, participated in hearings of the Rae Commission on Post-Secondary Education, and promoted the work of the Coalition of Canadian Immigrants.

Mathyssen has also been active in the community supporting the work of other citizens, taking part in Pride and the London AIDS walk, fundraising for the Women's Community House, and encouraging the work of Imagine London and the London Coalition Against Pesticides.

Mathyssen believes in being accessible and listening to her constituents. She hosts regular town hall meetings at venues all across the riding, keeps constituents informed with regular newsletter mailings, and continues to participate in as many community events as her parliamentary schedule allows.