What do teenagers think of politics? If you were to ask grade 9 students their opinion it would be different than if you a grade 12 student. Teenagers' views change day by day. What do they really know about Sylvia Jones, who is running for the John Tory team? What do they know about Betsy Hall, the Liberal candidate? Or what they know about Rob Strang, the Green Party standardbearer? Or what do they know about Lynda McDougall who is running for the New Democratic Party?

I am a grade 12 student at Westside Secondary School. I am doing my co-op placement at the Orangeville Citizen. I don't know what most teenagers think, but I do know what I think. I think about health care, education, fairness for everyone and working family needs.

Sylvia Jones grew up on a family farm, and she has been involved in local fundraisers such as M.A.D.D., M.S., and The Heart And Stroke Foundation. She believes in fairness for farmers, taxpayers and you, and says her party will invest in health care: "Real Plans, Real Leadership."

Lynda McDougall was born in Orangeville but grew up in Alton on a family farm. Her family has seven kids including her. She understands the needs for health care funding. The NDP wants happier hopes.

Betsy Hall also grew up in a family of seven kids on a family farm. She is actively involved in the Rotary Club, graduated law school and is currently living in Orangeville. The Liberals have balanced the budget twice, and the party says it plans to fund full day child care for four-year-olds, and increase shelter money: "Strong Women for a Strong Ontario"

Rob Strang grew up in Scarborough and came to Orangeville in the 1980's. He has served as an active member of the Green Party since 1999.

The key Green values include gender equality and the values of people. The party would like to increase minimum wage to $10.50 an hour.

Next Wednesday's provincial election is going to be one to remember. We have new candidates and new questions being asked and many major issues to be addressed.

One of the issues addressed had to do with health care. Sylvia Jones asked a good question when she said, "How will you ensure the health care system will be there for my family when I need it?"

Mr. Strang answered that they will have clean air and clean water. Ms. Hall said the Liberals plan to bring more doctors to rural areas. Ms. McDougall said the NDP wants more money invested in long-term health care. And Ms. Jones said the PC party wants to see more funding of health care in the '905' area of the GTA.

Lynda McDougall asked, "In the byelection of 2005, seven men and a woman have serviced the area. Does gender matter?"

Ms. Hall said that over 50 per cent of people in the election are women. Mr. Strang said equality matters the most, and all Green policies are neutral. Ms. Jones said the PCs are glad to see women in the riding. And Ms. McDougall said gender does make a big difference, the NDP is the one party that believes in affirmative action and in this election 60 per cent of its candidates are women.

The luncheon was held at the Best Western hotel in Orangeville and the facilities were splendid and very welcoming. Men and women from all types of businesses attended. Barbara Russell chaired the meeting and Rob Rice was moderator.