On October 11, students gathered in the Great Hall to meet provincial candidates and hear their opinions on key policy issues at an AMS-hosted mixer and debate.
Three candidates attended the debate, including Vancouver-Point Grey Green Party Candidate Dr. Devyani Singh, Port Coquitlam Green Party Candidate Adam Bremner-Akins and Vancouver-West End NDP Candidate Spencer Chandra Herbert.
To begin the debate, candidates provided a brief introduction about their experience and motivation for running,
“I’m here fighting because I believe the BC Greens have the best policy for students,” said Bremner-Akins, a fourth-year political science student at SFU.
Singh, a climate scientist and economist, echoed Bremner-Atkins’ support for the Green Party and said “the [Greens are the] only party in this election that truly cares for the planet.”
Chandra Herbert said he has been the MLA for Vancouver-West End since 2008, “advocating for renters and advocating for human rights.”
No representatives from the BC Conservative Party were in attendance. AMS VP External Ayesha Irfan confirmed party candidates were invited, but declined to attend.
Candidates discuss housing, affordability crisis
Candidates largely agreed there is not enough student housing in BC.
“We've never built as much student housing as fast in this province,” Chandra Herbert said, referring to the NDP Party’s student housing initiatives that have resulted in thousands of new units.
“You have to build the right kind of supply,” said Singh. Speaking to her experience in graduate school at UBC, she said there needs to be a focus not only on undergraduate student housing, but on housing for graduate students and students with families.
“We need to take a holistic approach when it comes to housing,” said Bremner-Akins. He said students should not be “forced into subsidized university housing,” when they eventually will have to face the housing market. Instead, he said students should have the option to live off-campus and afford to do so.
“It’s good to invest in student housing, but that’s not going to solve our problems forever,” he said.
Candidates promise to extend public transit access
Next, the candidates spoke about the SkyTrain extension and the future of public transit.
“I support extending it all the way to UBC,” said Singh. She said student commute times could be spent doing other activities.
Bremner-Akins said the Greens are committed to extending transit further into the interior and doubling the number of buses in four years.
Chandra Herbert spoke to the NDP’s past successes in increasing public transit services, highlighting the party’s SkyTrain expansion into Langley.
He also said the NDP is committed to creating rapid transit across the North Shore and extending the SkyTrain to UBC.
Voting for the future
In closing statements, candidates reiterated the core of their platforms and encouraged students to vote.
Bremner-Akins said he hopes to create a future for people where they do not need to worry about issues surrounding affordability and living.
Singh emphasized the importance of the climate and the impact this election can have on the planet.
Chandra Herbert urged students to vote and said engagement in a democracy is vital to maintaining civility and building a better future.
“Regardless of what your political beliefs are, who you're involved in, stay involved.”
This article is part of The Ubyssey's 2024 provincial elections coverage.
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