Every year The Gateway hosts a panel to determine who should and who will win in each race for the Students’ Union elections to assist those undecided on who to vote for. Our election dissection panel is here with their insights on student politics and their takes on this year’s candidates.

Opinions expressed by the panellists do not reflect those of The Gateway.

The Panel

This year’s panel for election dissection included:

• Tom Ndekezi: U of A alumni, former arts and culture editor at The Gateway

• Kyle Monda: U of A alumni, past Gateway contributor, GFC and Students’ Council councillor, past candidate for Students’ Union vice-president (student life) 

• Alyssa Stoddard: third-year political science and English student, previous caucus researcher for the Government of Alberta (2019 – 2021)

“Yes” Side: Campus Food Bank (CFB)

The panel saw the crucial services the Campus Food Bank (CFB) brings to students. 

​​Ndekezi mentioned that, while the CFB campaign could’ve gone to more forums, the services are too essential to cut over this fact alone.

“[Forums are] probably something to improve on in the future,” ​​Ndekezi commented. “I think there has been a market increase in the number of people accessing the food bank in the last couple years … you’re pretty heartless to vote no over this.”

Stoddard explained that she had donated to the CFB in the past, and emphasized its role in the University of Alberta community.

“I’ve donated to the CFB multiple times, especially during COVID-19,” Stoddard said. “As the economy goes up, student jobs are so hard to find right now. I know I’ve had multiple friends and classmates not necessarily say they need the food bank, but are appreciative that it’s there.” 

“The U of A community is so close-knit and connected and needs to be supportive at any time for whatever needs. The CFB is the place that students go so they have fuel and food to do well in their studies.”

Monda noted that students will likely know someone impacted by the services of the CFB.

“In an ideal world, the CFB wouldn’t need to exist, but unfortunately it absolutely does need to exist and so it absolutely deserves the support of students,” Monda said. “Anybody who spends time on campus will understand the need for the food bank and will know someone who’s been impacted by their services in some way.”

Will this pass: three votes for “Yes”

Should this pass: three votes for “Yes”

“Yes” Side: The Alberta Public Interest Research Group (APIRG)

Panellists had mixed knowledge about the Alberta Public Interest Research Group (APIRG) but all agreed that their work for communities in and outside of campus was important.

Monda elaborated on the work that APIRG does in the community.

“I think APIRG does a lot of really cool work in the community and is a really cool organization that connects people with campus that aren’t necessarily students themselves,” Monda explained. “I really want APIRG to succeed. I think they’re really responsive to the students who fund them in that their board is elected by students, even if that election often doesn’t get that much attention — we still have that direct means of advocacy.”

“I don’t see any reason not to support APIRG’s dedicated funding unit (DFU), not only because there’s so much control over how the money is distributed, but you can also opt-out if you want.”

​​Ndekezi noted that APIRG’s transparency made them valuable for the University of Alberta community.

“I do know that they’re one of the more visible services on campus,” ​​Ndekezi said. “I appreciate that. They make it known when they’re doing things. I think it’s a good thing to have for the community.”

When Monda ran for vice-president (student life) in 2017, APIRG’s DFU was up for election. That year, a “No” side campaign was ran, which Monda described as a “dark chapter in U of A history.”

Stoddard noted that of the three panellists, she knew the least about APIRG, but based on what she knew, she thought that their fee was one worth passing.

“I wish I knew more about this group because it sounds interesting and good,” Stoddard said. “I don’t see anything wrong with it but I think I’m going to have to go on an adventure to HUB and check it out so that I can learn more. I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with supporting a student-run initiative that is trying to make some monumental change for their student and Alberta community.”

Will this pass: three votes for “Yes”

Should this pass: three votes for “Yes”