From Blogcritics, my own expression of impotent frustration at the CRTC hearings:

• Canadian Television Embracing Irrelevance?

From CBC:

Do you want to be Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister? Let the auditions begin!

Do you have what it takes to be Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister? If so, you could be one of four candidates to compete in the second annual NEXT GREAT PRIME MINISTER competition that culminates in a one-hour CBC Television special, hosted by Rick Mercer, airing Sunday, March 18, 2007.

THE NEXT GREAT PRIME MINISTER competition is for 18- to 25-year-old Canadians who wish to share their ideas for making Canada a better, stronger and more prosperous country. This is a great opportunity for anyone considering a future in politics, world affairs or social policy.

Don’t miss your chance! If you are interested in applying, you can audition for the broadcast in these select cities across Canada on the following dates:

LONDON, ON – Dec. 7
KITCHENER/WATERLOO, ON – Dec. 8
OTTAWA, ON – Dec. 8
EDMONTON, AB – Dec. 11
TORONTO, ON – Dec. 11
VANCOUVER, BC – Dec. 12
MONTREAL, QC – Dec. 13
HALIFAX – Dec. 13
ST. JOHN’S, NL – Dec. 14

*For audition times and locations, please go to www.thenextgreatprimeminister.ca

Candidates will be asked to give a three- to five-minute speech with their “Prime Ministerial Message.” Bring your passion, opinions and ideas and be ready to answer questions about your convictions.

Judges will select the 20 best applicants’ nationwide based on originality of ideas and effectiveness of delivery. Finalists will then be selected for the nationally broadcast Next Great Prime Minister television show. In the televised special, candidates will undergo a series of political debates and answer tough questions for a $50,000 first-place cash prize. They will be grilled and judged by four former Canadian prime ministers: The Right Hon. Joe Clark, The Right Hon. Kim Campbell, The Right Hon. John Turner, and The Right Hon. Brian Mulroney.

This one-of-a-kind broadcast is based on a popular nationwide competition originated in 1995 by Frank Stronach, founder and Chairman of Magna International, in his quest to search for Canada’s best and brightest future leaders. It was launched to engage young Canadians in the political process and to encourage them to think about ways to improve the country.

If you are unable to come to an audition, candidates can apply online by submitting a video and application to: www.thenextgreatprimeminister.ca