With a federal election set to take place May 2, Carleton University’s political clubs are revving up their campaign activities in support of their respective parties. The Carleton Campus Conservatives are no exception.

Jeff Pierce is a third-year political science student and the current president of the Carleton Campus Conservatives (CCC). He said the CCC is working with riding associations in Ottawa and across the country in an effort to get students as involved as possible in the election.  

Pierce is careful to point out that while he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the Conservative Party, he is happy to talk about the work of the CCC.

Tax relief is one part of the Conservative Party’s platform, Pierce said. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced March 28 that a Conservative government will allow approximately 1.8 million families with children to share up to $50,000 of their household income for federal tax purposes, allowing them to accumulate around $1,300 in tax relief.

“These are the kinds of smart policies that Canadians like, and the kind of tax relief they so desperately need,” Pierce said in an email.

The Conservatives also have plans for Canada’s youth and post-secondary students, according to Pierce. He said over $10 million has been invested in post-secondary education by the Harper government thanks to the Conservatives’ Economic Action Plan.

“This is money that will ensure that those who require retraining may do so at the highest quality universities/colleges possible. Graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions will have the skills they need to succeed in this highly technical world,” he said.

The Carleton Campus Conservatives hope to bring Conservative Party candidates to Carleton to allow students to ask them questions in an informal manner, Pierce said.

“Not only does this help students, but it gives candidates the chance to hear the concerns of young adults who might be entering the workforce at the end of this school year,” Pierce said.

They also plan on working to connect students with their local riding associations after they return home from exams, Pierce said. Students will then have an opportunity to gain valuable campaigning experience without having to worry about conflicts with their academic priorities.

Pierce said students who vote Conservative would be voting for a government that is committed to Canada’s economy.

“Thanks in large part to the leadership of Stephen Harper and his team, Canada is in a better position than most developed countries around the world. Students need only look at the recent riots in Britain and France to fully appreciate the strength of our economy under this conservative government,” he said.

Elie Salibi is the Conservative candidate running in the Ottawa South district, and Damian Konstantinakos is the candidate running in Ottawa Centre.