North Yorkers bring their questions to election fest

"It's things we're all kind of worried about," said Janet McKerrow, a resident living in the Don Valley East riding, who attended the election festival hosted by The North York Mirror to discuss issues such as crime and healthcare. "I just wanted to sort of hear my candidate's view on some things."

While McKerrow is most likely voting for the Conservative Party come election day, other North Yorkers like Anna Bloom were still undecided.

The Willowdale resident was a little disappointed the candidates in her riding couldn't make it to the election festival in person due to an all-candidates debate scheduled the same night. Their respective representatives were in attendance, however, handing out pamphlets and buttons to prospective voters.

"I think it's a great idea, but it's a bad night," she said, noting the federal leaders' debate was also airing on television that same evening.

But Bloom thought ahead and taped the debate, which she planned to watch as soon as she returned home from Election Fest.

Shirley Blake had more luck Monday evening and spoke to several of the candidates in her Don Valley East riding.

"I was asking about lowering the property tax," said Blake, wondering how exactly the federal government can work with cities in the future.

With candidate profiles in hand, Blake is leaning toward one party, but isn't 100 per cent sure yet which candidate she will cast her vote for.

"I still have to sleep and dream about my decision."

Brian Hoessler had a different agenda in meeting all the North York candidates.

"We want to get the word out about our campaign," said Hoessler, representing fairvote.ca, an organization in favour of proportional representation to determine the makeup of federal parliament.

The response from candidates was mixed, Hoessler admitted.

"Some parties have a platform in favour of proportional representation. Some have doubts about the feasibility of the system," he said. "But the response is generally positive."