First Ministers on campus next week
James Muir

Laurier's Political Science Association is staging the third annual First Minister's Conference simulation.

Held on the weekend of January 22nd, the mock conference is designed to give students hands-on, practical experience in the dog-eat-dog world of provincial politics, and to have a truck-load of fun in the process.

"It's a great way to meet people and a good learning experience," said member of the organizing committee Wes Ferris.

The student-run and organized conference pits groups of political science students against each other as they assume the roles of provincial representatives or the federal government and tackle such contentious issues as senate reform, Quebec separation, and a myriad of other political flashpoints.

The conference participants involve themselves in a lengthy process of preparation and presentation over the three day weekend, often spending whole mornings discussing issues and strategies during heated committee sessions.

In previous years the conference has attracted participants from other univeristies.

This year, though, the turnout is expected to be decidedly domestic as a problem with the package mailouts failed to reach prospective faculties in time for registration.

Ferris, expects there to be approximately 15 - 20 students participating in this year's conference.

The event is described as the Political Science Association's premiere event of the year and is to be held in the board room of the Students' Union and the Green Room below Health Services in the Student Services building.

Although this event remains a student initiative from its organization to its coordination, Ferris commends the Political Science Faculty for being very supportive of the student venture.

He also mentions the organizing committee colleagues.

"We have a really good organizing committee this year and I'm very happy with the way things have gone this year."