Thanks to the inspiration and dedication of the late MP Alf Hales, the Parliamentary Internship Programme has offered more than 550 young Canadians the experience of a lifetime. The significant contributions of former interns to Canada and the international community through academia, public service, and industry are a lasting testament to important role the PIP plays in developing the potential of promising young Canadians.
Shane Atienza – Burnaby, BC
- BA (History and French), University of British Columbia
Shane earned his BA in History and French from the University of British Columbia in 2023 and is on leave from his MA in History to participate in the PIP. His research examines how policymakers in Britain and the Dominions (such as Canada) conceptualised the Crown as a constitutional keystone and shaped divergent visions of what would become the Commonwealth. Shane has also served as a teaching assistant, contributed to research on interpreter and translator experiences at UBC, and worked with Vancouver non-profits including the Roedde House Museum and the Société historique francophone de la C.-B. Passionate about making history and the French language accessible for future generations, Shane received a Killam award in 2024 for his contributions to teaching and learning. In his free time, he enjoys writing letters and tapping away on his typewriter. Through his internship, Shane looks forward to bringing an historically grounded and linguistically nuanced perspective to the work of Canadian democracy.
Oliver Batchilder – Cornwall, PEI
- BA (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), Mount Allison University
Oliver holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Mount Allison University. During his studies, he served as Chairperson of the Students’ Union, worked at the University’s Wellness Centre, and volunteered with a local elementary school breakfast program. In 2023, Oliver began working with Meals on Wheels PEI, where he helped to develop a rural frozen meal delivery program and supported the launch of a new chapter in his hometown. This experience inspired him to pursue a research project assessing levels of food insecurity in rural PEI communities. Wanting to explore broader policy challenges, he also took part in a partnered research project analyzing changes in non-state cyber threat activity in Canada from 2015 to 2025 and conducted an independent analysis of Canada’s defence procurement process. Oliver is looking forward to participating in PIP to learn how systems can be reshaped to better serve people, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Logan Breen – Saint John, NB
- BA (Economics and Political Science), Carleton University
Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, Logan holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Carleton University. Throughout his studies, he actively engaged in student leadership, serving as Vice President Internal of the Carleton University Students’ Association, where he worked to improve funding for the campus food bank and student clubs. As Co-President of the Carleton Political Science Society, he led the organization of two, three-day long model parliament events at the Senate of Canada. Logan also served as a Student Governor on Carleton University’s Board of Governors. His parliamentary experience includes roles as a House of Commons Page and a Proceedings and Verifications Officer in committees. Outside of work, Logan enjoys cooking, hiking, and travelling. He is thrilled to be joining PIP to gain a deeper understanding of Canadian politics and public policy from a fresh perspective.
Lily Collier – Portage la Prairie, MB
- BA (Political Science), University of New Brunswick
Lily recently completed a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies at the University of New Brunswick. Lily has a keen curiosity for Canadian political institutions and public policy. Beginning as a tour guide for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Lily passionately learned the intricacies of the provincial legislative process, before heading to Ottawa to be a Parliamentary Tour Guide. Lily is also proud to have served the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Page and subsequently Head Page – a fulfilling role in which she led a team of Pages and facilitated invaluable first-hand learning in the Chamber. Through these roles Lily gained practical experience in Parliamentary procedure, assisting with Royal Assent and throne speeches. Having been born in the prairies, worked in Alberta, and educated in the Maritimes, Lily is thrilled to serve the institution which represents each of Canada’s regions as a parliamentary Intern!
Divya Dey – Toronto, ON
- BSc (International Development and Environmental Sciences), University of Toronto
- MSc (Sustainable Management), University of Toronto
Born and raised in Toronto, Divya Dey holds a Master’s in Sustainability Management and an Honours Bachelor’s in International Development and Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. Her experiences lie at the intersection of sustainability, governance, and international development across business, academia, nonprofits, and government. Her research includes transboundary water governance, nature-based solutions, and perceptions of historical flooding. As Program Manager with the Canadian and African Business Women’s Alliance, she led four internships, mentoring participants in diplomacy, event coordinating, and global partnerships. Divya serves on the Youth Advisory Council at the Jane Goodall Institute Canada, where she led workshops on translating conservation to different stakeholders. While representing the Goodall Institute at the UN in Geneva, Divya realized that international institutions shape dialogue—but real change happens nationally. She is eager to explore Canada’s politics through a non-partisan lens and understand how inclusive decisions take root. In her spare time, Divya enjoys outdoor adventures, frisbee and partaking in improvisations.
Bridget Duimering – Drayton, ON
- BA (Political Science and Business Administration), Western University
Raised in rural Ontario, Bridget holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Western University and in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School. Professionally, she has worked in public policy research, municipal governance, and stakeholder engagement, including as a Policy Research Analyst at PSD Citywide and as a project lead in pro-bono strategic consulting projects. Bridget brings a global perspective to her work, having studied in France, the UK, and the Netherlands. At Western University, Bridget volunteered with the Social Science Students’ Council, helping to shape the first-year representative program and empowering young students. As a VP at the Ivey Social Impact Club, she executed a conference to share the importance of social entrepreneurship and responsible business with fellow students. Bridget is passionate about applying globally informed perspectives to domestic policy challenges and fostering meaningful public engagement in democratic institutions. Outside of work, you can find her skiing, deep in a book, or hiking new trails.
Mathis Filiatrault – Ottawa, ON
- BSocSc (Political Science), University of Ottawa
Originally from Quebec City, Mathis lived in Montreal and Kingston before settling in Ottawa. Deeply committed to his community, Mathis represented young Franco-Ontarians as vice-president of the Fédération de la jeunesse franco ontarienne. He also helped to develop legal education programs for Franco-Ontarian students as a program developer for the Ontario Justice Education Network. Mathis’ interest in politics led him to serve as a House of Commons Page and later the Page Program supervisor from 2022-2025. He worked closely with the Speaker, Clerks and administrative staff to support their work, and recruited and trained over 120 university students as Pages, passing on his appreciation of parliamentary procedure. Mathis also served as vice-president of the University of Ottawa Model Parliament, where he accompanied students from the University of Ottawa and University of Toronto in their discovery of how Canadian legislation works. Mathis enjoys reading, watching films, cycling, camping, hiking and will pursue a law degree at McGill University after the PIP.
Emily Gough – Dartmouth, NS
- BSocSc (History and Political Science), University of Ottawa
- MA (Political Science), McGill University
Proudly born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Emily holds a Joint Honours Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in Political Science from McGill University. Her academic and professional journey has been driven by a steadfast commitment to improving public life through academia, community involvement, and public service. Serving as a House of Commons Page sparked Emily’s interest in Canadian politics and gave her a lasting appreciation for parliamentary procedure and Canadian federalism. Studying at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom also broadened her perspectives on international diplomacy and the global impact of democratic governance. Emily’s passion for civic engagement guided her work as a Senate of Canada Events Coordinator, a McGill University Teaching Assistant, and a Host with Eastlink Community TV, where she facilitated meaningful discussions on local and political issues. Emily is excited to join the PIP and contribute to Canada’s evolving political landscape.
Yara Idris – Ottawa, ON
- BSocSc (Political Science), University of Ottawa
Yara obtained an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science from the University of Ottawa. Through the Undergraduate Partnered Research Program, she examined the impact of foreign election interference on public trust and electoral integrity in Canada and presented her findings at the 2025 Canadian Vote Summit. During her studies, Yara contributed to multiple research projects and served as Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Journal of International Affairs, Politics and Policy. She also worked as a policy analyst on various defence and security files at Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, and Public Safety Canada. In her free time, Yara enjoys reviewing new coffee shops and restaurants, volunteering with community organizations, and picking up new hobbies. She is thrilled to be joining the 2025-26 Parliamentary Internship cohort!
Alexandre Moreau – Montréal, QC
- BA (Political Science), Université du Québec à Montréal
- MA (Political Science), Université de Montréal
Alexandre holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the Université de Montréal, where his thesis focused on the practice of diplomacy by European subnational states. Funded by the Canadian and Québec governments, this project led him to conduct three months of fieldwork in Catalonia. During his undergraduate studies, he coordinated a political economy research centre before turning to teaching, first in high school, then at the Cégep level in political science. Convinced that education can engage young people with contemporary issues and encourage active citizenship, he has organized several conferences and roundtables open to the community. In the fall of 2024, he was selected by LOJIQ to participate in a training program in Wallonia-Brussels focused on youth civic engagement and contemporary democratic challenges. He sees PIP as an opportunity to explore ways to strengthen the bond between youth and our political institutions. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cultural travel, and discovering cafés in the cities he lives in.
Amy Topshee – Victoria, BC and Halifax, NS
- BA (Political Science and International Relations), University of British Columbia
As the eldest of four daughters in a military family, Amy grew up crisscrossing North America, leaving roots in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, and Rhode Island. The experience taught her to understand diverse perspectives, bring people together, and embrace change. Amy’s passion for security and defence, cultivated through her honours thesis on climate security, involvement with the NATO Field School, and work with the Canadian Defence and Security Network, earned her recognition as Top 20 in their 20s by Women in Defence and Security. Driven by her love of sport and background as a competitive triathlete, she spent several months working as a Policy Analyst with Sport Canada. Additionally, Amy co-founded the CPR for EveryBODY Initiative with BC’s Lieutenant Governor to address sex disparities in first aid. Most recently, Amy spent the summer working at Camp Goodtimes, caring for children with cancer and their families. Amy applied to PIP after completing and loving the BC Legislative Internship Program.
Cloé Tourigny – Drummondville, QC
- BA (Political Science, Law, and Economics), Université Laval
Cloé studied Health Sciences at Cégep and graduated as Valedictorian before turning to social sciences. During a gap year, she worked in British Columbia, France, and Germany, which sparked her interest in international relations and inspired her to pursue a BA in Public Affairs and International Relations at Laval University. During her bachelor’s, she became involved in various student associations and diplomatic simulations. She also gained professional experience as a guide-interpreter at the Governor General’s Residence at the Citadel of Quebec, a Page at the National Assembly of Quebec, and an intern at the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes. These experiences nurtured her interest in constitutional politics and federalism, and led her to present her work comparing nationalist constitutional amendments in Quebec and Catalonia at a student conference at Laval University in 2024. She continued to build on this research during a semester abroad in Barcelona. In her free time, Cloé enjoys learning languages, cycling, and thrifting.