What do election promises mean for students balancing classes, work and rising costs? On Sep 23, 2026, the Champlain Student Association (CSA) and Champlain Debate Society brought four provincial election candidates to the Student Space to answer questions shaped around student concerns.

For CSA President Victoria Gerov, the goal was to help students, including first-time voters, understand their choices and vote according to their own values.

“Questions that were tailored to them.”

That was the starting point, Victoria explained. Antoine Urbain, president of Champlain Debate Society and a Law and Civilization student, helped lead the organizing effort. Students prepared questions on affordability, education, the environment and rights, with support from Student Services. At an English CEGEP, the question of extending Bill 101 to postsecondary education had particular relevance.

CSA Chief of Staff Rejna asked whether candidates would support using the notwithstanding clause in the future. The question brought rights and freedoms into the discussion alongside the everyday pressures students face.

David Bowles (Liberal), Anne-Sophie Maguire Armand (Parti Québécois), Claude Lefrançois (Québec solidaire) and Mi Jie (Conservative) participated. After the moderated discussion, students could speak with the candidates directly and ask their own questions.