Nanaimo-Lantzville candidates speak on student-centred questions at VIUSU All Candidate Forum
Hosted by the VIU Students’ Union and VIU Political Science program people gathered in the theatre to hear the candidates discuss five key topics VIUSU gathered from students at the university. Photo: Jesse Woodward / CHLY 101.7fm
This is part one of a two-part report.
On October 8 candidates from the Nanaimo-Lantzville and Nanaimo-Gabriola Island ridings took to the stage at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre to discuss topics important to post-secondary students.
For the Nanaimo-Lantzville riding, the event featured BC NDP candidate George Anderson, Conservative Party of BC candidate Gwen O’Mahony and BC Green Party candidate Lia Versaevel.
Nanaimo-Gabriola Island candidates were also in attendance.
Hosted by the VIU Students’ Union and VIU Political Science program around 40 people gathered in the theatre on October 8, to hear the candidates discuss five key topics VIUSU gathered from students at the university.
The first question asked what their party’s long-term plans are to ensure students and young adults have consistent access to affordable, nutritious food while they pursue their education.
Lia Versaevel said all institutions including universities should have onsite food production, such as green roofs, and community gardens which could be located throughout the campus.
“These growing systems must include students who will not only participate in food production but get credit for the hours they contribute additionally, communal spaces for preparing, preserving and storing food must be incorporated into universities,” Versaevel said. “Community kitchens can teach students valuable skills in preparing nutritious salads, soups, and stews, and expand everyone's access to a wide variety of culturally inclusive foods and dishes. Local restaurants and food producers can be invited to participate in teaching, preparing and preserving foods.”
George Anderson said he remembers being a student at VIU and having to eat a lot of instant ramen as meals, but he said that the BC NDP government is working on ensuring food security for everyone. He also touched on affordability for students in his response.
“That's through the $7-million investment in Loaves and Fishes, but apart from that, we've made sure that we've cut ICBC premiums by $500, that we've made sure to cut BC Hydro rates as well that we've continued to make sure that transit-oriented hubs exist so that you can walk to and from your grocery store and get the type of services that you need,” Anderson said
Gwen O’Mahony said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the key issue of having food security when there were supply chain disruptions and shortages of food. She said that to lower food insecurity, the Conservative Party of BC wants to increase local food production.
“I've met with farmers from [BC Agriculture Council] and other farmers locally, and they say, ‘we can do more, we can certainly do more. We need a couple of things, though. We need support and we need you to cut the red tape,’” O’Mahony said. “So that's why in our platform, we want to double food production in British Columbia.”
The second question highlighted that with the ongoing cost of living crisis. Students are spending a significant portion of their part-time or full-time income on rent, with some students facing homelessness. Candidates were asked what their party’s plan is to increase affordable housing options for students near campuses.
Anderson said the BC NDP government is focused on supporting affordable housing for students at Vancouver Island University through projects such as the 266 new student housing beds and new dining hall coming to VIU in fall 2025.
“That, again, is an NDP government that's focused on taking action immediately,” Anderson said. “Whereas under John Rustad and their government, it's actually kind of laughable the fact that between 2001 to 2016 they built 135 beds for affordable housing for students alone, which is a very small number. ”
O’Mahony said the cost of housing has skyrocketed under the BC NDP government.
“I went to school during the time that John Rustad was a cabinet minister, and do you know what my rent was back then, $500 and it was for a two-bedroom basement suite, which I shared with a roommate,” O’Mahony said. “So that meant I paid $250 so what has the rent turned into in the last seven years? Under NDP rain, it's ballooned out of control.”
She mentioned a poll done by TD Bank this summer that found 45 per cent of students are unable to adequately cover basic needs such as food and housing. This poll also found that 65 per cent of post-secondary students define themselves as financially unstable.
Versaevel said it is up to the universities to realize the need for densification of housing on and near campus. She said if universities want to continue enrollment, housing must be part of the package.
“The existing single or two-story structures are just insufficient with increasing demand in the housing market, land must be dedicated for housing units immediately on campus and a suite of other possibilities must be given consideration. Continuing the use of single-purpose buildings must also be examined carefully, both on campus and in adjacent buildings, schools sit empty,” Versaevel said. “No student should be forced to couch surf, live in shelters in the woods or in a car while attending university, and yet this is the reality for many.”
She suggested universities extend invitations to Chambers of Commerce, local private builders, and corporations to create a cooperative student housing infrastructure.
For the third question, candidates were queried about budget deficits that universities like VIU are facing, in-part due to the recent caps on international student visas. The candidates were asked what commitments their parties will make to ensure that public post-secondary institutions in B.C. receive sufficient funding to provide high-quality education and services, reducing their reliance on international student tuition.
O’Mahony responded by saying that international students are a valued part of the student body and said her experience at VIU as a student was better because of her international classmates. She said while she understands the funding crunch universities go through, she does not believe in filling enrollment targets with international student fees.
Versaevel said education needs to be reimagined from the ground up, suggesting a system like that of Nevada, where public schools offer kindergarten through grade 16. She said that the Nevada college and career system allows the students to finish their public school education with more than just a high school diploma but with opportunities to continue for years afterwards, into trades, apprenticeships, and academics.
Anderson said the BC NDP government has been focused on making sure that operating grants have increased for universities, allowing for services to continue at universities. He worries this is something the other government may not focus on if elected.
For the next question, candidates were asked what steps they would take to improve access to timely, affordable and culturally competent mental health services for all students in B.C.
Versaevel said she plans on bringing her decades of experience in mental health programs and advocacy to the legislature. She said she has been affiliated with Cowichan Family Life Association for several years now where they train peer counsellors under the mentorship of registered clinical counsellors to increase access to mental health services. This model, she said, could be implemented in universities such as VIU.
Anderson said the university can be a tough time for students as they are away from home and may be dealing with financial issues. He highlights the Here2Talk app that the BC NDP government created for students to connect with someone 24/7 regarding their mental health.
O’Mahony said while she was at university she remembers not having many mental health resources but she said during that time students did not have as much strain and mental health issues as current students do. She said students nowadays are facing many other issues such as the costs of living that is straining mental health.
“If you can't afford your rent, or if you have to live in a neighbourhood where crime is out of control and you don't feel safe, because the only place you can afford if you don't have a family doctor, all of these things are going to add to the stress that you're already experiencing in this what's supposed to be actually one of the most wonderful times of your lives,” O’Mahony said. “And this happened all under the NDP watch.”
For the candidates' last question, they were asked what specific steps their party will take to enhance funding for Indigenous services and supports such as scholarships and community learning hubs to help more Indigenous students complete their post-secondary education.
Anderson said the government needs to work with Indigenous partners to create partnerships in economic development. He said the BC NDP government has already ensured that students who are overrepresented in government care, can get a post-secondary education.
“So what we've done is made sure that there was free tuition for Indigenous students, and that's something that we need to be doing more of to ensure that they can reach the same type of heights that everyone else is because there are significant systemic issues within our communities,” Anderson said. “I can speak to it specifically as a black individual, that there are specific institutions throughout our communities that make it really difficult for people to get ahead, and this government's very focused on ensuring that Indigenous students can get further ahead.”
O’Mahony said it is important to continue to build on universities like VIU that offer education for rural and Indigenous communities. She said allowing students to stay in their communities will allow them to have the ability to continue to participate in their local economy.
Versaevel, having worked at Tillicum Lelum said students brought in a wealth of lived experiences and cultural knowledge to class every day.
“The most important thing I learned is that cultural and community support is critical to academic support success in this context, the opportunity to practice cultural healing and empowerment, to hear from teachers whose academic experience had led them to PhDs and master's degree, to be brushed with cedar, fed healthy foods and supported in technology and curriculum were essential to student growth and capacity,” Versaevel said.
Advance voting has now started across B.C. leading up to Election Day on October 19. An advance polling station will be located at Vancouver Island University on October 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and October 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the upper cafeteria.
With files from Jesse Woodward
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.