« We wanted to get the information to the students because they are not necessarily going to go to the information per se. » Knowing that some disinformation was travelling down the halls of the school, Riaz – as well as the College’s Students’ Association – decided that it was a debate-worthy issue – especially since « some 90 nationalities are represented among our student body, » according to Marguerite Corriveau, a communications agent at Vanier College.
Since Pauline Marois rejected the idea, Riaz said, he decided it was not practical to hold out for the major party leaders, so he asked local candidates be present. Christine St-Pierre, Liberal candidate in the Acadie riding and her PQ opponent Évelyne Abitbol will be on hand, while Benoit Charette, running for the CAQ in Deux-Montagnes, and Hasnaa Kadiri, running for the QS in Saint-Laurent round out the debaters.
« I am expecting all the representatives to reiterate the platform of their party and try to sell their thoughts to the students. One of the main topics of the debate is the Charter, » Riaz said.
He admits that the Charter could greatly affect the students of Vanier. He said there is some apprehension among the multicultural student body « but also (among) the teachers — they could be losing their jobs! »
He stresses that the Students’ Association expressed a great concern about the effects that could have the Charter if the law is indeed passed. « It’s definitely a concern that we are not taking lightly. »
In an ideal world, Riaz said that the college would not enforce the Charter, but said he could not speak for Vanier decision-makers.
« I think the Charter was not the biggest deal up to a point, but then they started talking about the referendum. Our consensus is that it’s not promoting secularism, but actually dividing the citizens of Quebec within our society. »
Vanier College is located 821 St. Croix Ave. in St. Laurent. For more information, call 514-744-7500 ext. 7596.