Sutherlandās 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).
The students in Sutherlandās 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 MLAsāall told it was an
illuminating 45-minute session!
Pitches complete, the students relaxed
(somewhat) as they enjoyed lunch in the provinceās 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.