Mayoral condidates visit Winnipeg's universities
Rapid transit a hot topic at debates
VERONICA CARR STAFF
PHOTO: JENELLE PETRINCHUK
With only a short time left until voting day, Winnipeg’s mayoral candidates are now in a tight competition to see who can get the most attention from voters. Last week, students got front-row seats at two mayoral forums held at both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.
On Wednesday, Oct. 11 the first student-centred debate for Winnipeg’s 2006 civic elections took place at the U of W. A packed-full Eckhardt- Grammaté Hall included university students from both the U of W and the U of M as well as Margaux Watt of CBC Radio, who broadcasted the event later that same day.
Marianne Cerilli, Kaj Hasselriis and Ron Pollock were present, but Sam Katz couldn’t make it — “no shocker,” commented Hasselriis. Katz spokesman David MacKay released an official statement saying the “The mayor had a long-standing meeting that he has been previously committed to and regrets that he unable to participate in the debate at the U of W today. However addressing the concerns of young Winnipeggers is a priority of the mayor and he will be attending the forum at the U of M tomorrow.”
A large percentage of the audience burst into laughter at the mention of Katz prioritizing young Winnipeggers.
A blown-up punching bag with Katz’s face taped over George Bush was left in place of the absent mayor.
The debate ran for little over an hour with Pollock making jokes about his sportsmanship and lack of “political correctness.” He emphasized that he wants to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg and create a more bluecollar atmosphere in the municipal government.
Cerilli mentioned several times that she has spent 13 years as an MLA. One of her main suggestions was implementing a subway system instead of rapid transit with buses. She was generally the only candidate that continually went over her allotted speaking time.
Hasselriis sat calmly for the most part, making sure everyone was speaking in turn and abiding by the rules of debate. He brought up the importance of rapid transit, and the significance of a “full-time mayor.”
The next day, Oct. 12, Richard Cloutier and CJOB broadcasted a civic election forum at the U of M. The audience consisted of professor Kim Speers’ political studies class as well as various students passing by the event as it took place at the fireside lounge in University Centre.
CJOB invited Hasselriis, Cerilli and Katz. No official reasons were given for not inviting Pollock. The three candidates in attendance were told by Cloutier that this was “their time to listen, not just talk.”
Prior to the candidates arriving, Cloutier spoke with U of M students about their plans after graduation — if they planned to stay or leave the province. The majority of students seemed to have plans to leave. “This is the concern,” said Katz. He explained that this was one of the thoughts that made him run last year: “the bottom line is that if we don’t provide opportunities and quality jobs, our graduates aren’t going to hesitate to leave.”
Hasselriis added, “We not only need to keep graduates here, we need to start recruiting them as well.”
Topics from Winnipeg’s aggressive stand in the business world to the environmental concerns facing the city were brought up by students and Cloutier. The transit system was once again a hot topic.
Cerilli stated she “wasn’t sold on the idea of rapid transit.”
Katz said he recently implemented a new transit plan that cost $142 million, including 100 new buses, 20 of which are new hybrid buses, and more heated bus shelters. “More meat and potatoes for our transit system,” he claimed.
In return, Hasselriis brought up the transit plans from two years ago. He said “Katz killed [the plans] when we finally had it all ready to go.”
By 11 a.m. all three candidates were running out the door to head to another debate at the Hotel Fort Garry, hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, and Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.
After the candidates departed, U of M president Emöke Szathmáry made an appearance, to talk with Cloutier and address students. When asked about keeping young people in Manitoba, Szathmáry.
