Nanaimo City Council candidates who attended the first of three NDSS debates included (L-R) Viraat Thammanna, Zeni Maartman, Ben Geselbracht, Hilary Eastmure, Tyler Brown, and Sheryl Armstrong. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

getting political

‘That’s my future:’ NDSS students focus on climate change action with Nanaimo Council candidates

Oct 5, 2022 | 4:32 PM

NANAIMO — About 60 students from Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) packed their cafeteria Wednesday morning to ask questions and hear from 6 of the candidates running for Nanaimo City Council.

Candidates were given time to talk about their platforms, and also answer questions from students in attendance. Topics ranged from affordable housing to active transportation and combatting climate change.

Oliver, a grade 10 student, moderated the event. He was impressed with the answers he heard from the candidates.

“Housing affordability is a big problem in Nanaimo especially, and climate change. We really need to address climate change in the coming months and years.”

He had hoped to hear more about local tourism during the 90 minute long forum.

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“Tourism is a big part of the economy, and we are lacking big attractions for tourists, so I wish they would have talked about that.”

(Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Fellow Grade 10 student Danielle found the debate interesting and informative.

She was glad the candidates came to the school to hear their concerns directly.

“We were talking about how we’re going to make youth voices heard in our community, and this is one of those ways. We were able to ask our questions and hear the answers from all of the candidates that were here.”

She was happy to hear them speak at length about the effects of climate change, a cause which is close to her heart.

“That’s my future. That’s the rest of the students at this school’s future. There are definitely other issues that you could say are more immediate, but really those issues that are going to impact us in the future and for the rest of our lives are really what I think is most important.”

Danielle did have some unanswered questions about sports facilities improvements and making sure there was enough recreational space now and in the future.

Mary-Jane, also in tenth grade, said she and other students in attendance were grateful to hear the candiates thoughts about Nanaimo’s future and what role the youth will play.

“There was a lot talked about how the youth can be more involved in the community, and they definitely had a lot of interesting things to say, so I’m happy they were here.”

She did wish to hear more about how to expand or make improvements at the Nanaimo Regional Hospital but overall was pleased with the answers she heard.

Other candidates are expected at NDSS on Thusday, Oct 6., when the students will host back-to-back candidate forums.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow