Jordan's Internship with Scott Brison

After the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is probably safe to say that our politicians stand out as the biggest magnets for criticism in Canada. In many ways, this fact should be welcomed; criticism is an indicator of a healthy and flourishing democracy. 

That said, it is also relatively easy for one to sit at home, (maybe) watch the nightly news, and fire off a few salvo’s of negativity across Twitter. For many, this is the full extent of their engagement with Canadian politics. Unfortunately, such rabid partisanship and polarization has had the additional effect of turning many of our generation away from Canadian politics altogether. While discouraging, this fact only underscores the need for young Canadians to come forward and engage with these issues head-on. 

I have always found it helpful to imagine civic engagement as if it were on a spectrum. At the low end, we could place the armchair cynic – heavy on negativity and light on substance. At the other end of the spectrum, however, we could find the political internship. For a young person who is passionate about Canadian politics and wants to make a difference, it is this end of the spectrum that holds the greatest appeal. And, as far as internships goes, none can come even close to the Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship. 

Being a Jaimie’s Intern myself, I acknowledge that my views may be seen as somewhat biased. This point is irrelevant, I think, because the facts can speak for themselves – and they do. 

My time as a Jaimie’s Intern was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. From the very first day, I hit the ground running. Unlike other bloated and unwieldy internships, I was one of only three interns in the entire program in 2014. Moreover, I had the good fortune of being paired with an incredibly experienced Member of Parliament in Scott Brison, and from the first day, I was expected to both integrate into his team and contribute. 

I came to understand that, as a Jaimie’s Intern, you are looked at differently. The honour of bearing the title comes with heightened expectations. I know I can speak for our entire cohort when I say this that this realization acted as a driving force; constantly pushing us to work harder and harder throughout the duration of the summer. And while the work was difficult, it was also unquestionably rewarding.

All of the Question Period and Committee work aside, I think it’s also important to highlight how much fun the internship is. Its inherently small size leaves you feeling less like you’re a part of a program and more like you’re a part of a family. Without question, the “impromptu dinners” – almost an institution of the JAPI – were home to some of my favorite memories. It was here, around one kitchen table or another, with the Clandersons and/or a variety of journalists, professionals, and civil servants, that the real magic of the internship can be found; where the barriers and boundaries of a conventional office meeting are broken down and real relationships are forged.

I could go on at length, but I will stop here. The Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship broadened my horizons, exposed me to different perspectives, and forced me to ask myself difficult questions. Most importantly, it made me excited for both the future of our country and the role that I could play within it. 

I am equally excited for the next group of interns, who will have the opportunity to continue building upon Jaimie’s inspiring legacy. 

Piper's Summer with Peggy Nash

I arrived in Ottawa not knowing the city; still a teenager; straight out of residence at Mount Allison University in rural New Brunswick; moved in with three people off Kijiji and began work on Parliament Hill. Needless to say I had a lot of new and exciting experiences waiting for me. 

I began working for Peggy Nash, MP for Parkdale-High Park in Toronto and the Official Opposition Industry Critic. One of the greatest lessons the Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship taught me is that it is one thing to learn or read about politics and a very different thing to tangibly experience the political arena. My very first day in Peggy’s office proved to be vigorous and never slowed down. As soon as I walked in the door I was asked to conduct extensive research on a piece of legislation receiving lots of commentary on the floor of the House of Commons, and provide a report by the end of the day. Two months later I had the rewarding opportunity to spend a week in Peggy’s constituency working on case files, and spending the afternoons going door-to-door asking constituents for feedback on current political issues, issues effecting them, and community concerns. I have spent time reading about and researching public policy, but I had not had the opportunity to see how public policy can affect large groups of people on such personal levels. A woman Peggy and I met during our canvassing emotionally expressed to us how the same piece of legislation I had researched on my first day of work negatively affected her and her family. This brief encounter humanized my understanding of public policy and governance and I learned how leadership (both positive and negative) truly affects the lives of thousands. 

Three weeks into my placement in Peggy’s office, her Member’s Assistant was unable to continue work. I was suddenly solely responsible for replying to constituent emails, writing most statements and questions for Question Period, answering and directing all phone calls, scheduling meetings, and every other office task under the sun. With generous guidance from Peggy’s exceptionally bright Legislative Assistant, Sheila Matthen, this was all manageable and exciting. 

Working for Peggy was a true privilege and honour. Peggy is a very hands-on politician and inspired me in terms of her work ethic, integrity, commitment to her constituents, and passion for serving Canada. Working with Peggy each day was a test of endurance (and I must say that I am very certain Peggy has more endurance than anyone I have ever met). We would spend the day running from briefings, to Industry Committee meetings, back to the office to meet with lobbyists, House Duty, Question Period, meetings with constituents visiting Parliament, and media interviews. Working on Parliament Hill proved to be the most rewarding exercise I have ever experienced! 

Working as a Jaimie’s Intern in Peggy’s office presented me with opportunities I never could have imagined. I cannot begin to explain the feeling of sheer joy I felt when I heard a question I had prepared recited in Question Period for the first time. Peggy is a dynamic, thoughtful, and energetic leader. She sought to excite and challenge me and thus, gave me the opportunity to research and prepare a Private Members’ Motion with her. I was astounded that I had the opportunity to help shape legislation in a meaningful way. It was a truly humbling experience watching online as Peggy presented the Motion in the House of Commons when Parliament resumed in the fall.  

As a Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Intern I spent the entire summer smiling from ear-to-ear. Each day was an exciting adventure, as new tasks, and new challenges presented themselves regularly. The experiences Jordan, Michelle, and I were privy to are unmatched. From appearing on CBC’s Power and Politics (yes, it really happened!); visiting the Google Canada offices; to traveling to Toronto to share in conversations with Samara Canada and CBC’s At Issue Panel; to having tea with Mrs. Laureen Harper at 24 Sussex (and the Prime Minister walking in unannounced) and everything in between, the interdisciplinary opportunities and eye-opening moments that came from being a Jaimie’s Intern continue to inspire me and guide me through my academic career and everyday life. 

I truly value and greatly appreciate the education I received as a Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Intern. I learned more about politics, businesses relationships, and the media in four months on the Hill than I ever could have learned from a textbook or in a classroom. This Internship fueled my love of politics and taught me how positive partisan relationships move the country forward and create a stronger Canada. I am so grateful to the Anderson family, Peggy Nash, Sheila Matthen, Jordan, and Michelle for making this summer truly unforgettable and a life changing experience. 

Pat Joyce’s thoughts on his time with Nathan Cullen

Serving as a Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Intern for 2013 opened my eyes to the reality that is our Canadian democracy. Working with staff in Ottawa and in Nathan’s riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley, along with my fellow interns Julia and Jeanelle, and the incredible supporters of the Internship program, I’ve had the opportunity to witness how human Ottawa truly is. They say all politics is local; in reality, it’s personalities, relationships, and a belief in the idea that is Canada that allows our country to be the shining star of the world it is. It’s been a pleasure taking part in such a wonderful program, and an experience I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.

Julia’s Summer with Michelle Rempel

I feel incredibly lucky to have been a Jaimie Anderson Intern this year. Having been granted the opportunity to forge relationships with individuals of all political stripes, from around the country, has been truly inspiring. The Honourable Michelle Rempel and her team, with whom I had the pleasure of working, have been fantastic mentors who never missed the opportunity to turn the news of the day into an incredible learning experience for me. Above all, my time on the Hill has challenged my conceptions about the boundaries of political space. In my experience, working at the federal level means maintaining an open dialogue with key community stakeholders at the local level. To that end, technology has facilitated the transmission of ideas in real time. Media coverage, as I have also learned, is especially important in this regard, so that Canadians remain informed of the complexities of developments that affect them. Finally, I have learned that ideological differences can be bridged—collegiality within politics is ubiquitous and effective. Politics is, above all, a business of good people who want the best for Canada.

Jeanelle’s Summer in Dominic LeBlanc’s Office

It’s a well-known fact that I absolutely adore the cafeteria on the 5th floor of Centre Block; I fell in love with its $4.05 French toast breakfast special last summer. As a result of this dangerous relationship with icing sugar and maple syrup, I’ve started taking the stairs up to my office (which is conveniently located right next to said cafeteria). Although the flights of stairs began as a strategy to offset all of the breakfast goodness, the exercise resulted in early morning moments of reflection, some interesting encounters, and these final thoughts on an incredible summer.

The transition into summer recess certainly led to a much calmer work environment; however, as Mrs. Harper noted during a lovely chat over tea at 24 Sussex Drive yesterday, “they’re not on vacation!” While our MPs have been back in their ridings for the last few weeks, there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’ve been working with Sébastien on some constituent outreach projects and surveys; I really enjoy reading comments from constituents who have taken the time to fill out the sections where we ask them to tell us more about their ideas for their communities and the issues that matter most to them. I’ve also been doing some ongoing work regarding the question of privilege I mentioned earlier in the summer, as well as reading about and summarizing Bill C-21, which is an Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, particularly regarding accountability with respect to political loans.

The first half of the summer was a whirlwind of daily meetings and encounters with MPs, Senators and visitors from the riding. However, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the chance to get to know more people working behind the scenes, including staffers, chefs at the cafeteria, constables, librarians, and everyone working hard to keep the building at its best. As I met and learned more about all of these people dedicated to doing their jobs well and with pride, I decided that one of the most important takeaways of the summer is this: to build and nurture genuine and positive relationships with those who cross your path. These happen anywhere and everywhere – from the cafeteria, to the stairways taken to compensate for the cafeteria, Tactics meetings, Question Period prep, summer barbecues, Atlantic Assistants’ meetings, chatting with visiting school groups, to dinners with insightful and talented journalists. I’ve learned to forge these relationships based on interest and sincerity, and not as a means to an end; in other words, don’t seek people out because you need a favour, or because you’ll need one in the future. Seek them out and engage because you’re interested and because you’ll genuinely learn fascinating things about them, and often, about yourself. Furthermore, the chance to get to know people across party lines has emphasized the fact that, for all of our differences in opinion on how best to get things done, the end objective remains the same: to serve Canadians.

I’ve learned so much over the past couple of months, and I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the internship organizing committee, as well as to Mr. LeBlanc, Sébastien Belliveau and all of my colleagues. Finally, a huge thanks to Pat and Julia for being a great team to share the experience with!