“You’re going to hear a bunch of baloney from all of us today,” one of the candidates in the London-North-Centre byelection warned about 700 senior students at Catholic Central high school earlier today.

It turned out the green-flavoured variety seemed to be favoured by those attending the 90-minute all-candidate gathering based on response, followed by the orange and red varieties.

That would be the green of Green Party leader Elizabeth May, the orange of New Democrat Megan Walker and the red of Liberal Glen Pearson.

The blue brand wasn’t on the menu because Conservative Dianne Haskett was absent, making an appearance during part of the relevant time on CJBK-AM Radio.

Steve Hunter of the Progressive Canadian Party issued the warning about baloney and he urged students to vote to make a difference in their government.

“This is your chance to stick it to the man,” Hunter said to rousing cheers and applause.

Another cynical note was struck by Will Arlow of the Canadian Action Party, who advised his listeners “Politicians lie their faces off to get elected.” He urged students to press into service their “bullshit detectors” when measuring promises.

Questions to the candidates ranged from the environment to the proper role for Canadian troops in Afghanistan, to gun control and whether they were pro-choice or pro-life on the abortion issue.

Pearson, Walker and Hunter said they are pro-choice, while Independent Robert Ede and Arlow said they are pro-life. May said while she believes in the sanctity of life, she defends the availability of therapeutic abortions to keep women away from back-alley abortionists.

Pearson and Arlow took note of Haskett’s absence from the debate, saying it reflected poorly on her.

“You should be angry about that,” Pearson told the students, only about half of whom are of voting age, as he pointed to Haskett’s empty chair. “There was a lack of respect shown to you today.”

May had a surprise when she was asked about the recyclability of her election signs. “They are all reusable when I run for re-election in London-North-Centre,” she said.

Challenged by Walker about her intentions after the vote, given the fact May parachuted into the riding with the rest of the candidates and said she didn’t plan to stick around, May sought to clarify.

“I appreciate the enormously warm welcome here,” said May, who lives in Ottawa and said originally she will contest the next general election in her Cape Breton home. “If I am elected here I will ask the voters,” she said. “If they want me to stay I will stay ... it’s an open question and I will ask that question.”

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