District 11 candidates went after the youth vote Thursday night.
The Young Voters of P.E.I. hosted the forum at bar1911 in Charlottetown with all four candidates — Bob Doiron (Liberal), Hannah Bell (Green), Melissa Hilton (PC) and Mike Redmond (NDP) — in attendance.
The room was packed with people of all ages looking to be part of what likely will be the only debate the four candidates will participate in before the District 11 byelection for Charlottetown-Parkdale on Nov. 27.
Each had a turn to address a variety of topics ranging from retaining young people on P.E.I. to sustainability.
Jesse Hitchcock, who runs Young Votes of P.E.I., felt the candidates did a good job of speaking candidly to the issues they were asked in a way that was positive and engaging.
“I’m always really happy when the candidates show up and give considerate answers. I think we asked the questions in a way that don’t lend themselves as well to talking points,” said Hitchcock.
Charlottetown resident Matthew Victor said he was inspired by some of the words shared by Redmond and Bell.
“They were a different breed almost than Bob (Doiron) and Melissa (Hilton),” said Victor. “I’m a no bull kind of guy, and I just felt (Doiron and Hilton) gave politician style answers.”
The Young Voters of P.E.I. asked questions and incorporated issues they said are felt within the community of young voters. They also incorporated questions asked from the public, but they were submitted questions via social media.
A bonus round was held where candidates had a chance to ask another candidate a question by drawing a name out of a hat.
One topic Victor was interested in hearing about was housing.
The average cost to purchase a home in P.E.I. has risen 29 per cent in the last year, and the vacancy rate in rental units is expected to fall below 0.5 per cent.
Candidates were asked what they thought the best strategies were for addressing these problems and how this intersects with emerging housing issues such as Airbnb, the prevalence of income properties and the demand for renewed developments.
Bell said the challenge with housing is that it’s a long-term project and something that doesn’t work inside a four-year cycle.
She says some solutions could be micro-housing or co-housing, which are some alternative ways to creative housing, as well as public and private partnerships, such as community-based housing for seniors or co-housing for students and seniors.
Hilton said she is seeing development that has multi-uses, including townhouses, apartment buildings, semi-detached, all within one subdivision.
“I think a multi-use of housing is very important for our sustainability of the city and the Island.”
Doiron said more affordable housing is needed, especially for seniors and young people.
“I think that the Liberal government, they can work with the federal government and get initiatives to increase that,” said Doiron. “I would like to be a voice there. I would like to improve on what we have.”
Redmond said housing is a shared responsibility, and everyone has to come to the table.
“Put your chequebook on the table and ensure that people have appropriate, adequate, not only social and affordable housing, but accessible housing for people with disabilities.”
Hitchcock said she was thrilled with the turnout at the event.
“I thought that the crowd tonight really looks like the community, which is something you don’t always see. It was great mix of people tonight of all ages, genders and backgrounds.”
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