Nebbeling, Mitchell agree on exchange If there is agreement between Liberal candidate Ted Nebbeling and independent MLA David Mitchell can national unity be far behind? The two rivals for the West Vancouver-Garibaldi seat in the next provincial election hope not. Nebbeling met with Mitchell last week to discuss a proposal for a youth exchange program that would further young people’s understanding of Canada. "I think it could be a special program, giving kids a feeling that they are a part of Canada’s destiny," Nebbeling says. The proposal, which Nebbeling announced with a press release on B.C. Liberal letterhead, is to mobilize youth to become partners in finding a new form of confederation that all Canadians can live with. Corporate Canada will be solicited to help underwrite the cost of the exchange. Mitchell is in agreement with the idea. "We want to get kids to use the opportunity to learn more about Canada," Nebbeling says. "We need to get a whole dialogue on the country going involving youth, not just people over 50, like myself." Whistler started a similar exchange program three years ago with the Quebec community of Mont Tremblant. It is funded by corporations and companies in the two towns. Nebbeling hopes to get national companies like VIA Rail involved in the program and to draw in some national authorities, like Pierre Berton or Peter C. Newman. However, he stresses the program should be designed by youths. "We, as politicians and business leaders, can open doors but it should be the kids who approach the companies for funding and design the program," Nebbeling said. Two West Vancouver students have taken the concept back to their peers to discuss it further. Nebbeling suggested they also talk to some of the people involved in Whistler’s youth program. "Hopefully the program could start in 1997," Nebbeling said.
