Twelve hours after tackling First Nations issues at a public debate, the territory’s four federal election candidates addressed another audience – this time, a gymnasium full of people not old enough to vote.

Seated on the stage at F.H. Collins Secondary School in a room full of high school students was déjà-vu for NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson and Conservative MP Ryan Leef. They graduated from the school some 20 years ago.

The candidates expressed their desire to inspire the students to go to the polls – once they are able to – and took the opportunity to show how they each promote issues affecting youth.

In a series of prepared questions by the high school students, the MP-hopefuls discussed their parties’ positions on various issues – the most buzz-creating subject being marijuana.

Instead of triggering high tension, the four candidates jointly agreed that the laws around marijuana are less than mellow.

Green Party candidate Frank de Jong called the system “backwards,” and added that his party has supported legalizing the drug for “years and years.”

Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell was quick to applaud his party leader’s support of legalizing the drug.

Justin Trudeau, he added, is the only leader to support the sale and use of marijuana – and gave the students two thumbs-up.

“The proceeds from crime will no longer go to the Mafia, but they’ll go to the government to provide services for youth,” Bagnell said.

Drawing upon her experience as a lawyer, Atkinson said the NDP would decriminalize marijuana “immediately.” That would ensure people in possession of small amounts of pot “don’t get caught up in the system,” she said.

More surprising than the first three candidates’ not arguing with one another was Leef’s subsequent agreement with Atkinson’s statement.

“I don’t think that Canadians in minor possession of marijuana should be caught up in the criminal justice system,” Leef said, adding that his opinion comes from his time as an RCMP officer.

Leef’s opinion may seem to contrast startlingly with that of Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper, who has both opposed legalizing the plant and has continually criticized Trudeau for his position.

Leef, however, said permitting the use of it should not be a priority for government.

Education, getting a job and promoting healthy and active lifestyles should come first, he said.

“To suggest that (marijuana) is in any way healthy, is not true,” Leef said.

The students also prepared questions to hear the candidates’ promises to better post-secondary education, career prospects and protect the environment.

De Jong mentioned the Green Party’s initiative to get rid of post-secondary tuition, while Bagnell took the opportunity to point out Trudeau’s substantial education investment.

“New Democrats take young people seriously,” Atkinson said.

Her party has promised a large affordable housing initiative that would assist young people in putting a low-costing roof over their heads, she added.

Leef discussed the investments made to Yukon College, noting the value of providing education in the territory.

He also stressed the importance of training and educating Yukon youth in job fields where there are prospects, such as trades.

On the subject of climate change, Bagnell and Leef shared their parties’ intent on creating more infrastructure to produce green energy.

“Tom Mulcair is the only leader with a plan to address climate change and commitments to build a green economy,” Atkinson said.

But de Jong quickly lambasted the other parties’ support of some or all of the pipelines being proposed currently.

Supporting pipelines or fracking, de Jong said, makes them disinterested in stopping climate change at the source.

“These parties do not really care about climate change,” he said.

In two weeks, the school will have a “vote” to see which candidate the high school students favoured from the debate.