By Nicole Findlay
Not only does he have to contend with the NDP, Liberals and Green Party nipping at his heels, Steven Harper faces a more youthful challenge to his position. FASS students Alysia Garmulewicz and Patrick Rogers have also set their sights on Canada’s top job.
Garmulewicz, a second-year interdisciplinary studies student, was selected from over 300 Canadian applicants to compete in the second annual Next Great Prime Minister contest.
On Sunday, March 18, Garmulewicz and three other finalists had their visions for Canada and their political savvy thoroughly tested in front of four former Prime Ministers (Brian Mulroney, John Turner, Kim Campbell and Joe Clarke). Garmulewicz placed third in the competition.
Garmulewicz’ platform outlined her belief that the climate change we appear to be experiencing can be used to galvanize Canadian politicians to reconsider our future. “The best way to predict the future, is to create it,” she said. This focus on sustainable practices was a common thread linking her position on foreign policy, economics, education and healthcare.
Last year, Garmulewicz was one of 10 Canadian students to receive Environment Canada’s Cambio Merit scholarship at the Montreal Conference on Climate Change. She won the $500 scholarship for a conference she organized and ran this past July at the age of 17. “I first became passionate about climate change on an expedition to Antarctic in 2002, when I was 15,” said Garmulewicz. “Growing up with a very supportive environmental family, this was a catalyst that led me to organize the Canadian Youth Climate Change Conference (YC3).”
Rogers, an honours student in his fourth-year of History and Political Science, was selected as one of 20 finalists, before the final four candidates were chosen. His platform emphasized the importance of public service prior to entering political life. He said politicians should set their sites on the future, rather than engaging in fiery rhetoric over the past.
Can an election be too far off?