Paul Chen, Ed Holder, David Millie, Sean O’Connell, Paul Paolatto, Tanya Park, Vahide Bahramporian, Nina McCutcheon and Carlos Murray are the candidates that were present during the Future of London Mayoral Debate at Kings University College. Many of the topics discussed centered around student issues including Western’s infamous Fake Homecoming, the bus rapid transit system, low income housing, sexual violence against women, and addiction. The candidates got the opportunity to present their stance on these issues to the audience, which was made up of older Londoners and Kings’ students.
The debate operated in three sections. The first section allowed the candidates to introduce themselves to the crowd, while expressing a part of their campaign promise. The section continuing by focusing on student issues, allowing students to ask individual or all candidates questions that concern them. Popular topics included high housing costs, transportation difficulties, the increase in minimum wage, and the importance of sexual consent.
The section section proved to be the most entertaining, allowing candidates to ask a question to their candidate of choice and then proceeding with a rebuttal. The popular topic fir this round surrounded how to combat addiction, increase employment, plans for bus rapid transit.
The third and final section allowed audience members to ask individual or three candidates questions concerning how they plan to make London a better city to live in. Questions asked largely centered around how to handle safe injection sites and how people with disabilities will be better accommodated in London.
Londoner, Natalie Minato attended the event to get a better understanding of how to vote for.
“It helped me to learn about what their feelings and what their ideas were for helping and improving the city of London, and what they bring to the table.”
Minato believes that more people should be interested in coming to debates.
“I think everyone in London who is either near voting age or who will be able to vote, they should all take interest in their candidates, because those are the candidates that are going to represent their ward. I also always mention to people that you can’t complain unless you vote.”
The election will be held on Oct. 22.