Scott Brisson (left) and Michael Ignatieff, during the Liberal leader's speech to students Jan. 15. (Nick Majors photo)

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff spoke to a crowd of nearly 300 gathered at Kwantlen’s Surrey campus Jan. 15 as part of his cross-country tour to woo the nation.

The former Harvard professor made his pitch on why he should be Canada’s next Prime Minister to an excited crowd of instructors, students and Liberal supporters who were free to submit written questions throughout the night.

For two hours the Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP spoke about everything from Gaza to the environment to post-secondary education. He stressed the need for increased university-research funding, saying that “the funny stuff in between our ears” is the “hope of the new generation.”

He spoke about the coalition too, but only to confirm that his party wouldn’t make a decision until they read the Conservative budget Jan. 27. He added that their main stipulations would be whether it creates jobs, saves jobs and helps those most in need.

While Michael Ignatieff spoke inside the G Building on the Surrey campus, a handful of people outside the building protested in support of Palestinians in Gaza. (Nick Majors photo)