Thanks to the inspiration and dedication of the late MP Alf Hales, the Parliamentary Internship Programme has offered more than 530 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.

Jared Borgersen – Surrey, BC

Jared Borgersen – Surrey, BC

  • BA (Political Science), University of British Columbia
  • Master of Management (Business), University of British Columbia

From Surrey, British Columbia, Jared holds a Master of Management degree from UBC Sauder School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science from UBC as well. Jared believes civic engagement is a crucial aspect of any functioning democracy and is involved in his community as a Board Member for the Surrey Delta Métis Association, which is a chartered community of Métis Nations BC. Before the PIP, Jared acquired entrepreneurial experience as a franchisee with University First Class Painters, where he was responsible for all South Surrey-White Rock franchise operations for two Summers, and private-sector financial services experience working for HUB International. Jared is knowledgeable in Canadian politics, economics, management, commercial insurance, and business development. He is excited to expand his political knowledge during the PIP and learn from the amazing civil servants and elected officials working on Parliament Hill.

 

Katie Campbell – Winnipeg, MB

Katie Campbell – Winnipeg, MB

  • BA (Political Science), Western University

Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Western University. Katie has a strong passion for political research focused on Canadian electoral issues and government institutions. She has worked for the Consortium on Electoral Democracy, where she produced provincial election reports, analyzed Canadian Election Study datasets and presented at a conference. Katie has also had the privilege of serving as an Ambassador at the Royal Canadian Mint, the first Undergraduate Student Representative on Western’s University Research Board, and a Student Director of the Leadership and Democracy Lab at Western University. Katie has experience producing published policy papers, political risk reports and op-eds on topics that include sexual and gender-based violence along with the transition to a digital democracy during COVID-19. In her free time, Katie loves spending time with family and exploring the beautiful landscape of the Prairies.

 

Paulina Chan – St. Catharines, ON

Paulina Chan – St. Catharines, ON

  • BA (Political Science and East Asian Studies), University of Toronto
  • MSc (International Social and Public Policy), London School of Economics
  • Masters of Management (Public Policy), Fudan University

Paulina Chan holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto with a double-major in Political Science and East Asian Studies, and a double master’s degree with the London School of Economics and Political Science in England and Fudan University in China, where she studied social policy and global governance from international perspectives. During university, her main research interests included foreign policy, international and comparative politics, socio-economic equality, and poverty alleviation. In terms of recent professional experience, she has worked with C.D. Howe Institute in Toronto and the Centre for the Study of Living Standards in Ottawa, where she researched and analyzed Canadian policy issues including healthcare, trade, labour, education, economic wellbeing, and Indigenous affairs. She is delighted to be part of the Parliamentary Internship Programme and looks forward to deepening her understanding of Canadian politics on Parliament Hill.

 

Camille Cournoyer – Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton, QC

Camille Cournoyer – Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton, QC

  • BA (International Studies), Bishop’s University
  • MA (International Development and Globalization), University of Ottawa

Camille holds a Bachelor’s in International Studies (Honours) with an Adjunct Concentration in Hispanic Studies from Bishop’s University, as well as a Master’s in Globalization and International Development from the University of Ottawa. She is returning from Taiwan where she studied Mandarin for 15 months at the National Taiwan Normal University Language Center. Camille confirmed her interest for the field of Canadian cultural diplomacy and its future in the Indo-Pacific region by gradually integrating the Taiwanese music scene and meeting federal political actors. Her exchanges and collaborations with Taiwanese and international artists, as well as the interest expressed for the French language, motivate her to continue deepening her knowledge on the matter and to explore the way in which such exchanges have the potential to encourage mutual understanding. The Parliamentary Internship Program represents an opportunity to better understand the processes used to determine government priorities that guide diplomatic processes.

 

Catherine Despatie – Ottawa, ON

Catherine Despatie – Ottawa, ON

  • BA (Global Development Studies), Queen’s University
  • Master of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

Catherine Despatie is a proud franco-Ontarian born and raised in Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Development Studies from Queen’s University, and she recently completed her Master of Global Affairs (MGA) at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Driven by her interest in global issues, Catherine pursued a summer internship at the Embassy of Canada in Madrid, Spain, in the summer of 2022. During this internship, she fine-tuned her Spanish language abilities, worked behind the scenes of the 2022 NATO Summit, and developed an interest for Canada’s role in global diplomacy. Catherine is also a 2022-23 Fellow of the Baxter & Alma Ricard Foundation, which recognizes the efforts of French-Canadian leaders in higher education. Inspired by her passion for social policy and her previous work as a Parliament tour guide, Catherine is excited to return to the Hill and experience firsthand the inner workings of Canadian politics.

 

Sahib Kaur Dhaliwal – Abbotsford, BC

Sahib Kaur Dhaliwal – Abbotsford, BC

  • Bachelor of Social Science (Economics and Public Policy), University of Ottawa

From Abbotsford, British Columbia, Sahib holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Economics and Public Policy from the University of Ottawa. Sahib focused her undergraduate studies on exploring interdisciplinary approaches to developing effective policy responses to international crises. She also expanded on the knowledge gained through course research through applied activities, including a national monetary policy competition and Model United Nations conferences. Through her role in planning International Development Week conferences and leading the Sikh Student Association at the University of Ottawa, Sahib strove to collaborate with students to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and advocate on social justice issues nationally and internationally. Participating in the House of Commons Page Program allowed Sahib to understand the complex impact of legislation and, in turn, the importance of parliamentary procedure. Her recent assistant position at the Bank of Canada exposed her to the ongoing evolution of its legislated function to safeguard the stability of Canada’s financial system. As a Parliamentary Intern, Sahib is excited to engage in this learning experience to expand her perspective on public policy by contributing to both sides of the House!

 

Jean-Samuel Houle – Sherbrooke, QC

Jean-Samuel Houle – Sherbrooke, QC

  • BA (International Relations and International Law), Université du Québec à Montréal
  • MA (Public and International Affairs), University of Ottawa

Jean-Samuel hails from Coaticook, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and international law from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), where he conducted research on the unravelling of the strategic arms control architecture at the Institut d’études internationales de Montréal (IEIM). He also completed a Master of Arts (MA) degree in public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa, where he worked as a teaching assistant. Jean-Samuel’s paper on space security earned him a 2021‑22 Graduate Research Award for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation from the Simons Foundation and Global Affairs Canada. He previously worked at the Embassy of Canada in France and at the Department of National Defence, as part of the emerging technologies, cyber and space policy team. To relax, Jean-Samuel enjoys spending time in the mountains, exploring the trails and biking.

 

Cynthia (Changxin) Huo – Markham, ON

Cynthia (Changxin) Huo – Markham, ON

  • BA (Political Science), Western University

Cynthia recently graduated from Western University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Economics. During her time at Western, she developed a strong interest in Canadian politics and has research published or forthcoming in Canadian Public Administration, the Canadian Parliamentary Review, and Policy Options. Cynthia is particularly interested in Parliament: a course paper she wrote analyzing the Speaker’s role in the House of Commons won the 2022 Charles B. Koester Essay Competition hosted by the Canadian Study of Parliament Group and her undergraduate thesis examined elite polarization in Canada through an empirical analysis of partisanship in House of Commons standing committees. When not working, Cynthia loves watching k-dramas and going on adventures with her partner. She looks forward to the Programme as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of Canadian politics and the inner workings of Parliament.

 

Michael Nolan – Valley, NS

Michael Nolan – Valley, NS

  • BA (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), Mount Allison University
  • MA (Political Science), McMaster University

Michael is from Truro, Nova Scotia, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Mount Allison University and a Master of Arts in Political Science (Canadian Politics & Public Policy) from McMaster University. During his studies, he received grants to conduct research on a variety of topics, ranging from Lyme disease and urban deer management to First Nations fishing rights in Atlantic Canada. In his SSHRC-funded master’s research, Michael explored decision makers perceptions on proposed reforms to the Canadian equalization system. Aside from his academic pursuits, he worked for a New Brunswick MLA, served as the Vice President, Finance and Governance for the Mount Allison Students’ Union, played on the lacrosse teams at both Mount Allison and McMaster, as well as coached minor baseball and lacrosse. In his free time, Michael enjoys reading about Canadian history, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. He thrilled to experience the functioning Canadian democracy first-hand during the PIP!

 

Arianne Joyce Padillo – Mississauga, ON

Arianne Joyce Padillo – Mississauga, ON

  • BA (Political Science and French Studies), University of Toronto

Arianne is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction from her double major in Political Science and French Studies. As President of U of T Mississauga’s Filipino Student Association, she fostered a community and established the inaugural Presidential Summit for Filipino student leaders across Canada. Arianne believes in youth representation in democracy and advocated for access to education, racial equity, and financial security as a volunteer for Future Majority’s Canada 2.0 Campaign during the pandemic. As her academic interests lie within urban political issues, Arianne worked as a Research Assistant and contributed to a now-published paper titled, “Mapping Homelessness Research in Canada.” In her spare time, she enjoys baking and spending time with friends or family. Arianne is excited to join PIP to witness Canadian democracy at work in both official languages.

 

Rodney Stehr – Coquitlam, BC

Rodney Stehr – Coquitlam, BC

  • BA (Political Science), Simon Fraser University
  • MSc (Interdisciplinary Studies), University of British Columbia

Rodney holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Simon Fraser University, and recently graduated from UBC with a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Public Health/Anthropology). His thesis research focused on the mental health experiences of queer youth living through the early COVID-19 pandemic period. He has previously worked with queer youth in drop-in settings, helped set-up and coordinate programs across Metro Vancouver and has served on a variety of youth-led boards. Rodney is excited to have the opportunity to apply his qualitative research skills and interest in Pacific Research Methodologies to explore policymaking processes and MPs experiences of them. In his spare time, Rodney loves finding new artists to listen to, thinking about food, and trying to read the books he purchased on a whim.

 

Ahdithya Rajan Parvathi Visweswaran – Edmonton, AB

Ahdithya Rajan Parvathi Visweswaran – Edmonton, AB

  • BA (Political Science and History), University of Alberta – Campus Saint-Jean

Born in the United States and raised in the Canadian Prairies, Ahdithya obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean. Passionate about social policy issues in Canada and around the globe, Ahdithya has taken a keen interest in the topics of immigration, the Francophonie, federalism, and Indigenous-settler relations. During his studies, Ahdithya worked as a Junior Policy Analyst with the Department of Canadian Heritage where he advanced new programs under the Action Plan for Official Languages that keep in mind the diversity of Canada’s minority official language communities. Outside of work, he is the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Young Diplomats of Canada where he advocates for the meaningful involvement of all youth in the nation’s participation at international decision-making tables. Driven by his interest for international affairs, Ahdithya has participated in various forums worldwide. Notably, he took part in the CanStudyUS Fellowship in Washington, D.C., as well as the Japan-Canada Academic Consortium in Tokyo, where he won recognition for his presentation on gender equality policy. In his free time, Ahdithya finds joy in the company of family and friends, writing poetry, practicing Bharatanatyam and spending time outdoors. He is thrilled about this outstanding opportunity to gain valuable insights into the inner workings of Canada’s public policy creation process, specifically addressing social issues.