Michelle's Summer with John Williamson

Being one of Jaimie’s Interns is a title I hold with honour and gratitude. Without a doubt, my summer spent in Ottawa was the most rewarding and incredible experience of my life.

I will never forget my first day working on Parliament Hill. Walking through East Block, I was greeted with a friendly handshake; I then found myself promptly taking notes, and preparing memos for my new boss. From day one, within the first hour of being an intern I was sitting in a committee meeting of National Defense.  The energy on Parliament Hill was palpable- and I was hooked.

As one of Jaimies Interns, I had the fortune to work with the incredibly passionate and talented Member of Parliament, John Williamson.  John tasked me with meaningful and challenging work, truly embracing the grassroots spirit of the Internship. He was not only a boss, but also a teacher. This included often working with residents of New Brunswick Southwest, wrapping my head around Parliamentary procedure, preparing memos or even researching in the Library of Parliament. I loved every moment of my job. May I add, the Library of Parliament is the most spectacular indoor space in the country!

However, this program is unique because it creates lifelong and genuine relationships. I accredit this to the Clanderson’s humor, warmth and love of people. Being welcomed into the JAPI family with fellow interns, and by extension, friends and colleagues of the program provided me with my most cherished memories. I was astounded by everyone’s willingness to answer my endless questions, their candidness, optimism and support for young people who are passionate about the political process, and civic engagement.

There is something about this program that leaves you with a real sense of place  in Ottawa. I often return to my second home (it may be time I invest in a VIA Rail pass) to catch up with friends that were made over my four short months in the city. The Internship values the role of young people and the importance of civic engagement in Canada.  For these experiences I am forever grateful.  I continue to be inspired by this program, and Jaimie’s incredible legacy. 

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.