Young voters had a lesson in federal politics last night at the People's Forum, which was an opportunity for people to ask questions of the local candidates in the federal election.

'The candidates spent a lot of time talking without really answering the questions,' said first-time voter Jared Tuck.

The 18-year-old said if the candidates had been more direct and to the point, people could have asked more questions during the two-hours of questions and answers.

Since the forum was hosted by Bringing Youth Towards Equality (BYTE) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), half of those in attendance were young people whose concerns included gay health, child labour, marijuana and the U.S. missile defence program.

Four out of the six federal candidates showed up for the public grilling at Hellaby Hall.

Candidates from the Christian Heritage Party, the Marijuana Party, the Green party and the NDP were in attendance.

Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell was not present, while the Conservatives sent a representative on behalf of candidate James Hartle.

Both the Liberals and Conservatives blamed scheduling conflicts for the absences.

Bagnell was in Watson Lake during yesterday's forum.

'I am not going to sacrifice the rural vote to attend one of the many invitations I get in Whitehorse,' Bagnell said in an earlier interview.

His campaign manager, Shayne Fairman, said sending a representative on Bagnell's behalf was not an option.

'In an election campaign, Larry is the candidate and Larry should be the spokesperson. And I don't think it is appropriate that we send someone in his place,' said Fairman.

Hartle on the other hand sent his campaign manager, Fred Jennex, to speak for him.

However, Jennex could only stay for an hour and would not speak on controversial issues such as gay health.

The Rhino candidate, Big Ben Mahony, let out a laugh when he heard Bagnell and Hartle were not going to be present at the forum.

'It is absolutely scandalous that they are not here,' said Mahony, who isn't actually on the June 28 ballot as his nomination was rejected by Elections Canada after he couldn't find an accountant. He is planning to challenge the rejection in the Yukon Supreme Court.

Candidates used Bagnell's absence as an opportunity to attack Liberal misspending.

Geoffrey Capp, the Christian Heritage Party candidate, said the sponsorship scandal stole from Canada's children. 'And theft is a moral issue.'

Mahony said if he were ever elected he would rename the Yukon Group Action and use the new name as a method to get more federal money for the territory.

Former MP Louise Hardy of the New Democrats accused Bagnell of being seduced by power because he did not stand up to his party on gun registration.

Bagnell skipped a parliament session in order to avoid voting against his party on the issue.

Jeromie Williams, BYTE's youth health promotion and prevention worker, brought gay health issues to the table.

The 28-year old said many gay people are afraid to seek health care because they are scared of being outed by doctors. He wanted to know how candidates would improve health care for gays and lesbians.

Pam Boyde, the NDP candidate, said it sounds like there is a lack of education in the system, adding her party would reinvest in health care.

'We want to create a number of community health centres so that the issues you are describing can be dealt with,' said Boyde.

Green candidate Philippe LeBlond said his party is committed to people understanding each other. 'And that is going to take a lot of education.'

He said his party is ready to recognize gay marriage.

'Get married. Get divorced. Get a lawyer. Live the same life everybody else leads,' said LeBlond.

Jennex declined to address Williams' concerns.

'I am not qualified to answer,' said Jennex, whose response received hisses from audience members.

Sean Davey, the Marijuana party candidate, said he also couldn't answer Williams question.

'We're just trying to legalize pot, man,' said Davey. 'But to each their own. It doesn't matter if your gay, lesbian, Chinese or whatever.'

Capp told Williams that people need to know the truth about homosexuality.

'Condoms do not stop HIV transmissions,' said Capp, who believes the pores in condoms are too large and will not prevent the virus from seeping through.

'SARS was stopped dead because people voluntary took measures to prevent it. HIV is the only politically protected disease in the world,' said Capp.

His comments received scoffs from the audience.

Williams asked Capp where he had received his information from, to which Capp replied the Internet and his national party.

'It's scientific fact,' said Capp.

Mahony told Williams the Rhino party was open to anything.

'We need more of everything: more money, more funding, more gay people, more condoms, more sex, more parties,' said Mahony.

The U.S missile defence program was another issue brought to the table.

America plans to build a major missile defence base in Delta Junction, Alaska, a location that neighbours the Yukon border. Canada has been asked by Bush to support the program.

Both Jennex and Capp supported the program.

'We are living in the real world and that real world presents a threat,' said Jennex about the need to defend Canada.

Capp said the defence program is needed because there are people out there who don't respond to humanitarian efforts, referring to those who are 'determined that Islam should rule the world.'

The Green Party, Marijuana Party and the NDP all opposed the issue.

'Terrorists might be homicidal, but they are not stupid. They are going to smuggle bombs into the country,' said LeBlond, adding that would make missiles useless. He also said the missile technology has yet to be tested and proven.

Boyde said there are other ways to address world problems then increased weaponry. She said Canada should be looking at those measures.

'The true threat to the world is not terrorism but global warning,' said Boyde.

Davey said he personally disagreed with missile defence. 'But first things first and that is legalizing pot,' he said.

The Rhino party took a lighter approach to the issue.

'The world is a dangerous place, more so everyday chock full of violent, paranoid, homicidal and suicidal lunatics. And they are not all in Yellowknife anymore,' said Mahony. He suggested Canada build a one giga-ton nuclear bomb, which Mahony named Giggles.

'We just let the world know that Giggles is on our side and they better think long and hard before they mess with us,' said Mahony.

The Marijuana Party and CHP faced off on the cannabis issue.

'Marijuana is a threat to children because they don't know what the affects would do to them,' said Capp. 'If you legalize marijuana it wouldn't just stop there. It would be cocaine and ecstasy, too.'

Although Capp did say hemp should be used to create cleaner fuels.

Davey said legalizing marijuana is a human rights issue.

'It is a personal choice and it doesn't affect anybody else,' said Davey. 'There has never been a death because of marijuana use and it has been proven to have medicinal uses.'

Davey said people who are arrested on marijuana charges should be out of jail contributing to society.

'Legalizing marijuana would lower our criminal rate,' he said.

Both Boyde and LeBlond said marijuana should be decriminalized.

Marie Abbott, a 14-year-old who was Canada's loan representative at a child labour conference in Italy last month, asked the candidates what their parties would do to stop child labour.

Jennex was absent for the question and could not give the Conservative stance.

Boyde said the NDP would do its best to contribute to the global village by putting more dollars into foreign aid.

'Canada has a responsibility to help children living in poverty,' said Boyde.

LeBlond said his party has a stance of non-violence and education.

'If you know companies are using child labour, don't buy it,' said LeBlond.

Capp said his party has been campaigning against child labour since 1995.

'We believe that the trade commissioner should ensure that goods are not made by child labour. If it is made by child labour, keep it out of our country,' said LeBlond.

Abbott cannot vote because she is under age, but she wanted to hear where the candidates stood on certain issues. She expressed disappointment that Bagnell wasn't at the forum.

'People won't get to hear his opinions,' she said.

Tuck also expressed disappointment in the absences of Bagnell and Hartle.

Abbott told the candidates that whoever is elected, he or she should put into action his or her campaign promises.

Davey told the crowd that smaller parties like his are good for democracy.

'There are a lot of spineless bastards out there that have no back bone,' said Davey, adding people like him, who speak from the heart, should be in office.

Davey reassured the audience that he was not stoned during the election forum.