On Friday morning the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Pontiac held a debate between the candidates for warden of MRC Pontiac. Hosted by Director Karim El Kerch, the debate focused on issues impacting youth in the region, from the lack of affordable housing and public transportation, to support for small businesses. 

The meeting was only scheduled to go run from 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., but went more than an hour over time. 

Sid Sharpe, a student at the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre’s commerce program said the debate was well run.

“I thought the questions were well asked and there were relevant questions to the concerns of the youth. I think we have some great candidates and I look forward to the election.”

Sharpe asked candidates about whether the region should invest more in various forms of public transportation, from busses to carpooling services. 

“I have trouble with transportation due to my disability and I think being in a rural area it’s very important to have transportation because you can become isolated.”

Other questions focused particularly on the difficulties that newcomers to the region have finding employment and housing they can afford, as well as the lack of leisure activities.