Voters, candidates talk election issues at London Chamber of Commerce meet and greet

At a job fair, usually it's the attendees looking for work, not the other way around.

But on Wednesday, nearly a dozen London-area politicians looking to get a job in Parliament paused their door-knocking efforts to set up shop in the downtown event hall of Goodwill Industries for a two-hour meet and greet with the people who will decide whether they get the gig.

Organized by the London Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors, the trade show-style event was described as an "informal networking opportunity" for voters, business leaders, and candidates. 

It's a departure from the debates the chamber has hosted previously. CEO Graham Henderson said difficulties persuading candidates to debate, and getting voters to attend, played a role in the change. Other debate organizers have faced similar challenges. 

Compared to a debate, which can look artificial, meet-and-greets let voters and candidates talk in-depth, said Bronagh Morgan, a former debate moderator, federal and provincial Green Party candidate, and self-described non-partisan.

Morgan had one key issue in mind — grief and bereavement support. She wants to see a national strategy to help those suffering and prevent related mental health impacts. "It really serves everybody. Everybody, at the end of the day, is going to experience death and loss."

Davon Michel, a marketing and design strategist, came to hear how the candidates would approach U.S. President Donald Trump and trade with other countries.

"Also, I'm looking at the younger generations. How are you incentivizing them to even come out to vote and understand what's going on with politics?"

Of the 16 candidates running in London's three main ridings, 10 participated in the event, including all from London Centre. Absent were the Conservative and Liberal candidates from London—Fanshawe, and the Canadian Future Party, Green Party, and United Party of Canada candidates in London West. Liberal Arielle Kayabaga was listed as attending but didn't make it.

Most candidates told CBC News that President Donald Trump's tariffs, annexation threats, and the high cost of living were the main issues at the event and at doorsteps.

"Ninety per cent of the conversations are focused on the Trump issue," said Peter Fragiskatos, the Liberal candidate in London Centre, formerly London North Centre, of what he's heard while canvassing.

"Our region is particularly affected. Windsor directly, but also jobs in London, perhaps as many as 10,000 jobs could be lost if this goes any further."

For Conservative Adam Benni in London West, it's tariffs and affordability. "The two are tied with each other," he said. "What I say to everybody is if you need to tackle Trump, (you) need a strong economy."

"I've knocked on so many doors. I have even seniors who are now going back to work because ... life has become so unaffordable," he said.