North Vancouver School District
the natural place to learnĀ©
May 17
Sutherlandā€™s Global Perspectives Program Pitches in Victoria!

By James Nevison, Teacher, Sutherland Secondary School

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Sutherlandā€™s GPP students with Jennifer Rice (MLA for North Coast and Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness), Anne Kang (MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake and Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors), Rick Glumac (MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam and Parliamentary Secretary for Technology), Mable Elmore (MLA for Vancouver-Kensington and Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction), and Bowinn Ma (MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale and Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink).

GPP_02_2019.pngThe students in Sutherlandā€™s Global Perspectives Program (GPP) recently had a unique opportunity to pitch their policy and planning projects in Victoria.

It was an early rise for the 5:30 a.m. departure from Sutherland for the twenty-eight Grade 11 students in the program, but fortunately the conditions were perfect for the ferry ride across the Salish Sea.

In Victoria, after a shout-out from Bowinn Ma (MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale) during introductions at the morning sitting of the Legislative Assembly, it was time for the students to get serious as they observed government procedure. Following the morning session, GPP students were led to the Hemlock Room where they rehearsed and polished their pitches.

Facing a panel of five MLAs (all Parliamentary Secretaries), the teams of students had two minutes to present their projects. Ranging from a proposal to ban single-use plastics to introducing more diverse forms of public transportation, the studentsā€™ projects cover a broad range of sustainability and community issues. Following the pitches, students received questions from the MLAsā€”all told it was an illuminating 45-minute session!

GPP_03_2019.pngPitches complete, the students relaxed (somewhat) as they enjoyed lunch in the provinceā€™s capital followed by a tour of the Legislature. But during the ferry ride home later that day, work had already reconvened!

The planning and policy projects will culminate at the end of the semester when GPP students lead a final presentation to staff at North Vancouver City Hall.

 

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