Over the last several days, Yukon youth have had the opportunity to meet the territory's federal election candidates and take them to task.

However, the turnout at a variety of events has been poor.

At a youth forum hosted by the comite Espoir Jeunesse, Bringing Youth Towards Equality (B.Y.T.E.) and the Blue Feather Centre on Tuesday night, despite an audience of 23 people, only three were in the 14 to 25 age range and allowed to ask questions.

Yukon College's student union hosted an open-mic lunch on Wednesday with three federal candidates in attendance.

More than 100 students showed up to the event. But based on the free pizza line snaking through the college's foyer, called the Pit, and the consistent background noise while the candidates were speaking, hearing the stances of the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP was not the draw.

Jason Leonard, president of the students' union, said the event was never meant to be a debate or even a forum for the candidates.

The purpose was to encourage students to register to vote and to actually get out and cast their ballots on Monday.

'I think lots of young people neglect that opportunity,' said Leonard. 'It's important that students vote. Our future depends on it.'

Kawina Robichaud, 21, served as the moderator at Tuesday's all-candidates' youth forum.

She was disappointed with the turnout at the event, but said it was the timing of the election conflicting with youth's busy lifestyles in the winter months as they deal with their studies.

She added, like many adults, youth are often disinterested in politics.

'It's extremely important to sensitize youth to politics,' said Robichaud. 'In a place like the Yukon, they do have an impact and their votes do make a difference.'

At Porter Creek Secondary School, students were invited to make a democratic statement Wednesday by casting ballots in Student Vote 2006.

The results showed the high school students would elect Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell as their representative. He took 38 per cent of the vote.

NDP candidate Pam Boyde came second with 25 per cent; Conservative candidate Sue Greetham received 20 per cent of the student vote while vacationing Green Party candidate Philippe LeBlond garnered 18 per cent of the ballots.

Of the approximately 750 students at PCSS, 488 voted in the election. There were 104 spoiled ballots, many of which teacher Mike Toews said appeared to be spoiled as a political statement.

'It's critical (to get youth involved),' he said. 'It's essential to start these habits young.'

'We are such a free country, but we take it for granted youth take it for granted. We need to get them more involved,' agreed Robichaud.

Robichaud lead the questioning at the youth forum and quizzed the candidates, who included Jonathan Champagne, representing the absent Leblond, on issues related to education, child poverty, negative campaigning, climate change, the voting age, health care, energy and natural resources and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Bagnell focused his responses by telling the attendees at the forum and the college lunch about the investments made by the Liberal government into numerous initiatives directed at youth.

Greetham instead presented her specific views on the issues prior to reading from the Conservative platform what the party plans to do if it forms government.

Boyde continued the NDP's campaign of 'people are not happy' and want change. She told the youth what the party could do for them, based around the themes of making the government more able to relate to Canada's citizens and what they want.

Champagne, who only read the Green Party's platform a week prior, encouraged the attendees to consider the lifestyle provided by the party and how addressing social issues such as poverty, affordable housing and healthy living and environments can improve Canada.

Greetham appeared to be confused about whether Champagne was representing the Greens or the youth. She repeatedly thanked him for his 'youthful innovation,' saying his thoughts provided her with hope for the future of Canada.

'It's interesting to hear what Jonathan (Champagne) has to say and from his perspective. Looking at his youthful position, it makes me feel very comfortable,' she said.

After the debate, Champagne was unfazed by Greetham's comments. He said he came to the event hoping to be able to relay the party's message to other young people and connect with them.

'I would find it easier to have people over to my house and for them to live with me for a few day and to express (Green) values that way,' he said.

Holly Hildebrand, 20, attended the Yukon College event. Though Champagne wasn't there to speak and Leblond is out of the country, she said she is considering voting Green.

'I think it's a good alternative,' she said. 'I don't really feel like voting Conservative. I don't really feel like voting Liberal. I'm not sure what's going on with the Liberal party. I'm not sure whether I have a good impression of the NDP this year.'

Hildebrand voted NDP in the June 2004 election, but has been 'distressed' by the fact she sees the party's campaign in the territory or nationally as being 'not very positive.

'It's not always about what your perspective is on each individual issue. It's if you can work and be compatible,' she said. 'I would just like to see an honest representative that wants to make things better from where people left off rather than starting things again.'

Robichaud agreed the campaign is not just about issues. But as an undecided voter, she said she was interested in hearing the candidates' thoughts on health care, the environment and poverty.

'I think personal conviction isn't enough; you need your party's views behind you,' she said.

But she was unimpressed with Bagnell's talk of Liberal money and investment.

'Talk of money didn't move me. It is important, but often concrete actions lead to more positive change than just throwing dollar bills in.'

'I try to look to the person that's describing what I want to hear,' Derrick Hastings, 26, told the Star.

He attended the youth forum hoping to get a better understanding of the parties and the candidates, but says he still has more research to do before he casts his ballot.

Hastings is taking his election very seriously because it could change Canada forever, he said.

'It's a big decision. I don't really want the Conservatives to win, but I don't want my vote to be an against vote. I want to be a for vote.'