Third-year Glendon political science student Joseph Lavoie is one of four finalists selected for the nationwide “Who Will Be Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister?” competition. This unique event was created in 1995 by Frank Stronach, founder and chairman of Magna International, in his search for Canada’s best and brightest future leaders. It was launched to engage young Canadians in the 
political process and to encourage them to think about ways to improve the country.
Right: Joseph Lavoie
The competition is open to Canadians between the ages of 18 and 25, and invites them to share their ideas for making Canada a stronger and more prosperous country.
Candidates were asked to submit a three- to five-minute speech on video, detailing their ideas on this topic. The 20 best applicants nationwide were chosen based on originality of ideas and effectiveness of delivery. From these, the judges have selected the four finalists who will debate in the second annual “Next Great Prime Minister” program, a one-hour CBC-Television special hosted by comedian Rick Mercer, airing on Sunday, March 18.
The panel of judges for the final competition – former Canadian prime ministers Kim Campbell, Joe Clark, Paul Martin and Brian Mulroney – will join Mercer for the March 18 debate. During the televised special, candidates will participate in a series of political discussions and answer tough questions for a $50,000 first-place cash prize and a Magna-Dominion-Fulbright Internship. For more information about the competition and its evolution, visit the competition Web site.
“I have been following this competition from its inception, when everything was still submitted on paper,“ says finalist Lavoie. “Now that it is a televised program, the debate is sure to be an even more gruelling experience. But the topic is so important and so interesting. It gives us young people a chance to have our say about the future of our country.”
This article was submitted to YFile by Glendon communications officer Marika Kemeny.