FRINGE PARTIES MAKE VOICES HEARD AT DEBATE

GUELPH - Independent candidate John Turmel says getting kicked out of
a high school debate does little to teach students about democracy.

"What kind of example are you setting for the students?" he
questioned Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute principal Wes
Coffey yesterday.

Turmel and Marijuana party candidate Kornelis Klevering were escorted
off school property by three Guelph Police officers.

Turmel came into the high school auditorium earlier and was told by a
teacher he wasn't invited. He said he would excuse himself.

Several minutes later when a few students filed into the front row,
he reappeared on stage.

"I've got the right to answer your questions," Turmel shouted. "How
dare you influence this election in this way?"

Several minutes later, he got off the stage and was outraged that
someone turned off a video camera he had set up in a corner.

During Guelph's federal byelection campaign, Turmel was removed by
police from a Guelph Chamber of Commerce debate.

Following Turmel's exit at Guelph Collegiate, Klevering insisted to
officers it was within his right to remain.

All of the candidates were invited to an earlier debate at Our Lady
of Lourdes Catholic School, Klevering said. He asked why that wasn't
the case yesterday, but the principal and police were unconvinced and
Klevering left.

Just as Klevering was leaving, Green party candidate Mike Nagy
stepped offstage to object, but he was directed back by an officer.

Coffey said the debate, which included the four mainstream
candidates, was by invitation only.

Turmel's move to set up a video camera and Klevering handing out
pamphlets was another reason they were asked to leave, Coffey said.
The other candidates were allowed to make pamphlets available for
information, he said, but not hand them out to students.

As officers and school officials dealt with the fringe candidates,
nearly 800 students were held outside in the hallways. The debate was
delayed for about 15 minutes, then resumed. Students went on to press
the four candidates to get their take on proportional representation,
abortion, vandalism of election signs and the environment.

One student was also curious about whether candidates would support
lowering the voting age to 16.

Conservative candidate Gloria Kovach said she wouldn't necessarily
fight for it, but she would endorse the participation of school
debates and youth forums.

"Only having a voice, but not a vote may be discouraging," Liberal
candidate Frank Valeriote said, adding it might be a way to get
youths more actively involved.

Kovach was also put on the spot for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's
decision to call a federal election the day before Guelph's byelection.

She defended Harper, saying Parliament was dysfunctional.

"The Liberals failed to show up for votes and when they did, they sat
on their hands."

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was also threatening to bring down the
government, she said.

Harper decided it was best to call the federal election when he did,
Kovach said, rather than shortly after the byelections had taken place.