Maryam Jaffery – Parliamentary Internship Report 2013
I would like to thank NCCAR for presenting me with such a rewarding and enriching experience. Through this opportunity, I was able to play an active contributing role in the Canadian democratic process fulfilling my strong motivation to support a Federal Member of Parliament. I developed in-depth knowledge of the various political parties stance on a range of issues as well as extensive insight into the challenges that many Canadians and potential Canadians face. Moreover, my writing, editing, research and communication abilities have significantly advanced and broadened. This experience was particularly rewarding as it was an opportunity to gain insight into the core of the government. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!
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Parliamentary Internship Report: Parliamentary Office of Federal Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Joe Comartin – By: Maryam Jaffery
Photo Caption: Left to Right: Renée Taylor (Parliamentary Assistant), Me, Joe Comartin, and Patrick de Sousa Lahey (Assistant to the Deputy Speaker)
The final Monday of the month of May marked the beginning of the pursuit of a most unattainable matter, the truth. Initially, if asked as to why I was interested in pursuing a parliamentary internship I would likely have answered something along the lines of gaining extensive insight into the Canadian political process or being active in contributing to the democratic wellbeing of our nation. However, if asked the exact same question presently after having experienced my parliamentary internship, I would respond with quite a differing and conflicting approach.
Reflecting on the experience, it appears as if my parliamentary internship was a challenge presented to me that I was responsible for mastering. As author Margaret Atwood notably once wrote, “I’m supposed to have accumulated things by now: possessions, responsibilities, achievements, experience and wisdom. I’m supposed to be a person of substance.” As this quote implies, I was not simply offered a parliamentary internship with Mr. Comartin’s office, I was provided an opportunity to discover myself. I found myself in a foreign city where I had the opportunity to meet and learn from so many fascinating individuals while in the process developing lasting friendships and opening up new opportunities for the future.
Research Projects, Administrative Assignments, and Parliamentary Events
Just as exhilarating and enjoyable as my first day was, the coming days were equally as memorable. Introduced to my first project, I was assigned to review the householders mailed back from Mr. Comartin’s constituency, Windsor-Tecumseh, that were originally sent out with cut-out survey’s in which constituents were able to check off and list issues that were of primary concern to them. Interestingly, I found the issue that most people prioritized as their main concern was that of health care. The householders contained new and updated existing voter data information which was then input into the NDP Vote database system for future reference.
Through a research project I worked on in response to the concern of a constituent who was distressed over the accessibility of home and end-of-life care services for her terminally ill father I was able to understand and empathize with the citizens who deemed health care as the issue of greatest priority.
Throughout my time at Mr. Comartin’s office I had the privilege of working on several other research projects concerning issues such as Canadian snowbirds who travel to the U.S. for extended periods of time as well as a comparison of Question Period reforms and procedures in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Furthermore, I worked on many other interesting and rewarding projects such as composing a compilation of summer events taking place in the Windsor-Tecumseh constituency for the annual ‘householder’ summer mail distribution and ensuring citizenship certificates were mailed to new immigrants in the constituency. Moreover, I had the opportunity to attend the 40th anniversary of the Writers Union of Canada, Staff Forum, Human Resources Committee, End of the Year Stornoway barbeque, and many other influential gatherings.
End of the Year Stornoway Barbeque
Fellow NCCAR Intern Rawan Kulaib and I at the End of the Year Stornoway BBQ
Leader of the Official Opposition, Thomas Mulcair and I at Stornoway!
Stornoway, located at 541 Acacia Avenue in the Rockcliffe Park region of Ottawa, is theofficial residence of Canada’s leader of the official Opposition. The residence has been in use by the Government of Canada since 1950 in purpose of recognizing the leader of the Opposition’s position. As of March 24th, 2012 the current residents of Stornoway are Thomas Mulcair and his wife.
On June 6th, 2013 I had the pleasure of attending the NDP End of the Year barbeque hosted at Stornoway with fellow NCCAR parliamentary intern Rawan Kulaib. Mr. Mulcair addressed the crowd of staff members and fellow MPs at the gathering congratulating everybody on a successful year and offering his wishes for an enjoyable summer as Parliament annually rises for summer recess. Fortunately, Rawan and I were both able to take photographs with Mr. Mulcair as a memory of the event!
Working with the Hon. Joe Comartin and the office staffers
Mr. Comartin and I posing for a photograph as a memory of my parliamentary internship in his office.
Fortunately, I was able to spend quite some time with Mr. Comartin despite his demanding schedule. I am greatly appreciative of the moments Mr. Comartin, shared with me offering his vast knowledge and advice. More importantly, I am thankful for Mr. Comartin treating me to the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had!
Renée and Patrick had also made me feel very welcome appearing seemingly less as simply my mentors and more so as good friends. Without Mr. Comartin’s amazing staff, my experience would have remained incomplete. Their time and effort in ensuring my stay was one of comfort will remain invaluable.
Additionally, I would like to thank NCCAR for presenting me with such a rewarding and enriching experience. Through this opportunity, I was able to play an active and contributive role in the Canadian democratic process fulfilling my strong motivation to support a Federal Member of Parliament. I developed in-depth knowledge of the various political parties stance on a range of issues as well as extensive insight into the challenges that many Canadians and potential Canadians face. Moreover, my writing, editing, research and communication abilities have significantly advanced and broadened. This experience was particularly rewarding as it was an opportunity to gain insight into the core of the government. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!
Posted on August 27, 2013