Congratulations Graeme Cunningham, a Green and "Next Great Prime Minister" finalist!

Please join me in congratulating Graeme Cunningham, first runner-up on "The Next Great Prime Minister" broadcast on CBC Sunday night. Graeme was one of four finalists chosen from thousands of students across Canada to share their vision on what policies and legislation they would pursue as Prime Minister. Graeme led throughout the show but was edged out at the end. He received a cash prize and an internship for his strong result.

Graeme has had a long and active involvement in the Green Party for one so young. He is the President of the University of Ottawa Greens, and in that role organized an Ottawa-wide youth rally on Parliament Hill last fall to push the Conservative government to reach beyond the ineffective Clean Air Act and commit to the Kyoto Protocol.

Graeme is currently the Events manager of the Ottawa-Vanier Greens Electoral District Association. He has also been active in the Global Youth Greens (GYG). In January, Graeme represented the Green Party of Canada at the GYG conference and the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

After spending time preparing for his national TV debut, Graeme is now focusing on completing his Master's thesis in biochemistry at the University of Ottawa. We are lucky to have someone so accomplished bringing thoughtful discussion on energy and climate issues to the national stage. Felicitations Graeme!