Political Idol

Mike Sornberger is one of 10 finalists for Canada's Next Great Prime Minister. (Danny Abriel Photo)

Mike Sornberger made the cut. As one of 10 semifinalists on Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister, the Dal grad is attending “political boot camp” this week in Toronto.

After four pressure-cooker days, the 10 semifinalists will be pared down to four. And these are the four who’ll showcase their debating skills and innovative ideas to a panel of four former prime ministers, host Rick Mercer and a studio audience of voters in an hour-long program to be broadcast on CBC-TV on March 23. Not only does the eventual winner get hyped as Canada’s next great PM, he or she will walk away with a Magna-Dominion Fulbright internship and a cheque for $50,000.  

“It’s a really interesting contest and a great forum to get good ideas out on a national level,” says Mr. Sornberger, who graduated from Dalhousie last spring with a BSc in psychology. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I think we all are.”

To get this far, the 23-year-old Ottawa native sent in an audition via YouTube; he presented his platform while walking around Parliament Hill.

“My solid environment plan is based on the implementation of green technologies,” he explains in his videotaped audition. “As prime minister, I would foster that potential by giving grants and resources, specifically for the research and development of green technologies. This doesn’t just help the environment; it means more jobs for Canadians.

“Saving the environment is going to make Canadians money,” he continues. “Global warming is a global crisis and other countries are going to make the switch to green technologies as well. With Canada on the leading edge of green tech research, we’ll able to use it as a resource, export the technology to aid our national economy. Saving the environment isn’t going to be an economic drain, it will be a sustainable boost.”

After the audition, candidates were issued a challenge: organize a community event and find an advocate. Mr. Sornberger went out in his snowy Nepean neighbourhood with a big shovel to clear away the white stuff — “demonstrating that green technology is sometimes the technology we already have,” he says. For an advocate, Mr. Sornberger approached his MP, who just happens to be Environment Minister John Baird.

“We didn’t see eye to eye on everything, but I appreciate that he took the time to meet with me. I learned a lot too.”

While at Dalhousie, Mr. Sornberger was active in student life: he was a president of Eliza Ritchie Hall and served as a residence assistant at Risley Hall. He now works as a junior development officer focused on the Middle East for the Canadian International Development Agency and is considering graduate studies in clinical psychology. “Either that, or getting involved with politics around Ottawa,” he adds.

Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister is the successor to a program established by Magna International Inc. to provide a national forum for Canadians between the ages of 18 and 25 to put forth innovative proposals for a more prosperous country.

LINKS: Canada's Next Great Prime Minister | Mike Sornberger's Facebook Group | Mike Sornberger's YouTube videos