Alumnus Gabriel Bran Lopez, BA 08, and three other finalists in CBC Television’s Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister competition faced off March 18 in a nationally televised debate led by four former Canadian prime ministers.

To qualify for the final debate, Gabriel and the three other finalists survived a gruelling political “boot camp,” a series of heated debates, staged media scrums—and even a mock national crisis.

Former Canadian prime ministers Brian Mulroney, Joe Clark, Kim Campbell and Paul Martin grilled the candidates on a full spectrum of Canadian and international issues during the debate, hosted by Alex Trebek of Jeopardy! fame.

As the only finalist without a background in politics or debating, Gabriel was surprised he made it to the final round. Judges said it’s something else—a rare genuineness and a natural ability to speak from the heart—that got him on the show.

While Gabriel didn’t win the audience’s vote for the title of Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister, he says it was a huge learning experience and lots of fun.

“Like a job interview that went on for six days, the pressure never stopped and we never knew what to expect!” said Gabriel. “Sharing the stage with three very talented people and seeing so many young people debate passionately about social, economic and political issues gives me hope for the next generation.”

At just 25 years old, the Communication Studies graduate has travelled the world, worked as a volunteer in Africa and founded his own non-governmental organization, Youth Fusion Jeunesse Quebec, aimed at reducing dropout rates and encouraging community involvement among Quebec high school students. Now working at the grassroots level with his organization, Gabriel plans to pursue a political career.

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