Student Vote Reflections

Topic:

6.  Describe your impressions from the FH All Candidates Debate.  Did the candidates' performances help you decide your vote?

I had never been to a candidate’s debate before. I thought this was a very interesting thing to do at our school because, like Amrik Virk said, "We need to engage the voters!" I totally agree on what he said for his speech and it made a lot of sense to me. I think that we need to involve younger audiences in the elections because, like the election night said, “only 49% of people voted, and they were mostly adults.” One problem I had with the debate was that, what all the Candidates said doesn't involve us. “So what if you lower the bridge prices?” We don’t cross the bridge anyways, and if we do, we will be on a transit or in a car. I understand that they each stand for something, like the bridge, the health care, the education, and I’m not sure what the BC Visions stand for. But they need to think of what’s in it for us younger people.

          Take McDonald's for example, they have a playground inside most restaurants. They have one because it attracts kids, “Hey mommy, can we go to play at McDonald's ” When the family does get there, they have to buy something to eat, for themselves and their kids. So just like McDonald's  if one of the candidates said something like, “Free lunches for high schools in Surrey.” Then the kids will convince the parents to vote for them. Also, every parent cares about their children, so if they see a candidate caring for children, standing up for them, providing them with a good life, then they will vote for them, not someone who will lower the toll prices.

          For the All Candidates Debate, I had no problems with it. I heard what everyone had to say, but I just wished they had more time, because they were on a tight schedule. I wonder if BC Visions had someone else to represent them because I couldn't quite figure out what they were trying to say. The debate did help me on choosing someone to vote for in the student vote. I thought Amrik was a very good speaker, acknowledged that the audience was lost/bored, and stood for a good cause. With all problems aside, I had a good time at the All Candidates Debate, and hope to hear them again soon!