The Student Union Building’s (SUB) deficit, pro-life group Youth Protecting Youth (YPY) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) were all on the table at the chairperson debate on March 2.

Three candidates — James Coccola, Veronica Harrison and Ryan Levis — are vying for the position of UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) chairperson for the 2010 to 2011 year.

Throughout the debate, candidates stuck fairly close to what they’ve already said in their election materials and in last week’s election supplement.

However, when asked if they believe that the money spent on CFS membership is worth it, candidates began to take firmer stances.

Harrison said she is interested in continuing to work with other student unions to create “a strong and united voice,” and that students want access to the services CFS membership provides to them, such as the Student Saver card.

Coccola also said that he would like to work with other student unions, including those which are not CFS members.

However, Coccola, who went to both the CFS and CFS-BC Annual General Meetings this year said that he’d like to see the CFS reform from within because, currently, it is not working properly.

Levis said that he would like to see a referendum on continued membership in the CFS.

When it came to the question of YPY’s club status and funding, most of the candidates attempted to remain diplomatic.

Levis said that while he would leave the decision up to Clubs Council, in the event of a tie, he would “support inclusion.”

Harrison said that any club that follows club policy should be allowed status and funding, and that the reason YPY does not have status or funding is because of the harassment complaints brought against them.

However, she added that it is important to review that policy in order to move forward.

Coccola said that he supports giving YPY status.

He noted that taking away status and funding from a group would likely just make that group more radicalized.

One audience question asked the candidates what it means to them to be on a slate and whether or not they would ever pressure their slate members to vote a certain way.

Levis noted that, as an independent candidate, the only person he can pressure is himself, which he promised to do.

“I feel like that was a jab at myself,” said Harrison of the question.

She said that preparing for a board meeting is important and that it makes sense for her to prepare with her slate members because they have common goals.

Coccola said he would never ask his slate members to vote one way or the other.

He said that, instead, he wants to encourage them to think critically about the issues and engage with them.