Oct 22, 2014
Vancouver, BC – This afternoon, Langara College hosted the first major debate between five of the candidates for Vancouver’s 2014 mayoral race. In partnership with the Globe and Mail and the Langara Students’ Union, the event was the first debate involving candidates from all three major parties: the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), the Non-Partisan Association (NPA), and Vision Vancouver.
The participants represented a broad cross-section of candidates for the city’s 2014 mayoral race: Bob Kasting, Independent; Kirk LaPointe, NPA; Gregor Robertson, Vision Vancouver; Colin Shandler, Independent; and Meena Wong, COPE. Moderated by veteran Globe and Mail reporter and Langara alumnus Gary Mason, the debate was live-streamed on the Globe and Mail website and live-tweeted @LangaraCollege.
Addressing a wide range of subjects – including transit, homelessness, government transparency, affordable housing, and economic development – the candidates engaged in lively one-on-one topical debates for the first half of the event before facing specific questions from a panel of journalists. The panel’s questions were submitted in advance from the Langara community and Globe and Mail readers, then chosen by panel members Charlie Smith, editor of the Georgia Straight; Frances Bula, Chair of the Langara Department of Journalism; and Ash Kelly, a student editor in the Langara Department of Journalism.
“Langara prides itself on being a forum for dialogue and informed conversation,” said Roy Daykin, Vice President, Administration and Community Engagement. “We are proud to host events such as this that further respectful civil discourse in this wonderful city of which we are a part.”
More than 300 people attended the sold-out event, which was free and open to the public. A recording of the live-stream is available on the Globe and Mail website. View the gallery.