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Let the YFS games begin

After weeks of gossip and speculation, candidates in the 2016 York Federation of Students election have finally emerged out of the darkness.

Two dominant slates, including incumbents Student Action and newly minted LiftYU came out of the woodwork in last week’s all-candidates meeting, while Bloc Glendonois and scattered independent candidates flesh out the rest of the field at this year’s student union elections.

On Monday, Excalibur sat down with president and VP-campus life candidates in a filmed discussion to figure out the candidates’ stances on issues plaguing York students.

Chenthoori Malankov, presidential candidate for Student Action, reiterates her slate’s stance on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

“Our stance is pretty clear. We do stand in solidarity with the Palestinian folks. Their land is being occupied, that is very clear for the YFS,” says Malankov.

Melissa Calanza, her rival from LiftYU, acknowledges BDS is a major issue at York, but says a student union is responsible for maintaining a safe space where both groups (pro and anti-BDS factions) can come together to discuss the issues.

Independent candidate Gurdeep Singh Jagpal says York should not be investing in weapons.

“We’re investing in weapons to get scholarship money,” he says. “Is that the money you want to get scholarships with?”

The 2016 election has been marked by discussions on whether a student union should focus on pragmatic issues facing the student body, or take stances on broader political issues, such as Israel-Palestine. 

Jagpal says BDS is in fact a local issue because part of students’ tuition finds its way to weapons investment. In his view, the YFS can focus on BDS and local concerns like student space at the same time.

Calanza says the YFS should prioritize local student issues.

“Obviously, if an international issue affects them (students), we would address it,” she adds.

Malankov says the YFS will best represent students by taking on international issues, some of which will inevitably affect York students because of the diversity of York’s student body.


Follow all the YFS elections coverage by visiting our YFS Elections Hub


York’s diversity also manifests itself in a wider spectrum of views expressed by students, raising questions on values such as defending free speech and the right to dissenting opinion.

Candidates were asked whether they would amend the YFS constitution and bylaws to include a commitment to free speech and freedom of expression, if elected.

Malankov recognizes the importance of free speech and freedom expression, adding she would consider amending the bylaws based on demand from students.

“If students want that, as a presidential candidate, I should be able to offer that.”

Calanza committed herself to a firm stance on free speech, stating she would amend the bylaws.

“We are trying to foster a safer and open environment for students to have the ability to express in any form they want, [while] not harming other people.”

“We have the right to freedom of speech, as long as it isn’t offending someone else,” says Jagpal.

“This is what is given to us in the Charter [of Rights and Freedoms], this is what we will be fighting for,” he adds.

The Charter grants offensive speech, a safeguard under the values of free speech to protect dissenting opinion, which might be deemed “offensive” by opposing views. Free speech laws generally draw the line at incitement.

Candidates also cited mental health and tuition as top priorities.

Excalibur is interviewing Bloc Glendonois candidates separately in the coming days, who could not make it to Monday’s discussion.

Voting is to take place over four days between February 9-12, with campaigning permitted during the voting period.

According to candidates campaigning in Vari Hall, a mad scramble for prime poster space ensued early on Monday morning as slates rushed to post promotional material.

Controversy reared its head at the all-candidates meeting, with opposition candidates alleging a drastic reduction in the Chief Returning Officer’s office hours.

At the meeting, CRO Alex Hunsberger went to great lengths to emphasize the independence of the elections process from any influence from incumbent candidates.

As a non-member of the YFS, Hunsberger has sole authority for the printing of ballots.

“All ballots are numbered such that we can track the number of ballots that go out,” says Hunsberger.

A secure computer system records the number of voters at each polling station and on each day of balloting, preventing unauthorized persons from voting and the same person from casting multiple votes.

Candidates may send scrutineers to oversee the counting process.

Other concerns include the lack of accommodations for school work regarding opposition candidates during the campaign period, while incumbent candidates are restricted to only one course, as set out in the YFS constitution.


Alex Kvaskov, Assistant News Editor

Featured image by Michael Zusev, Photo Editor

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