Backbench MPs from all official parties are eligible to host one of the ten Parliamentary Intern provided they are not serving as a minister in cabinet or as party leaders. The interns are paid for their ten-month internship by the Parliamentary Internship Programme.

The Canadian Political Science Association has managed the Programme in cooperation with the House of Commons since it was established with all-party support in 1969. To show our commitment to being a non-partisan internship, each intern must work for one MP in government and one MP in opposition during two separate allocation periods. Opposition MPs are allocated Parliamentary Interns based on their representation in the House.

Parliamentary Interns work closely with their MPs and their staff. They often assist with committee work – reviewing reports, meeting with advocates, drafting questions and assisting in pre-committee and committee meetings. They prepare questions and speeches, write editorials and press releases, and help draft Private Members Bills. MPs often invite interns to visit their constituencies, where they are called on assist with casework, public consultations and community meetings. All Members of Parliament representing official parties are eligible and encouraged to apply for support from a Parliamentary intern.

Following group interviews, each intern selects one MP in government and one in opposition,  for whom they will work during two separate placements. In the current Parliament, there will be five interns with Liberal MPs, three with Conservative MPs, one with an NDP MP, and one with a BQ MP during each allocation period.  

MPs 2019-2020 

The Parliamentary Interns, the Parliamentary Internship Programme, and its stakeholders thank all the MPs who applied for interns this year and, most especially, those hosting interns in their offices. 

During their second allocation period (March 23, 2020 – June 30, 2020), the allocations are:  

  • Greg Fergus, Hull-Aylmer (LPC)
    • hosting Christopher Coulson
  • Marilène Gill, Manicouagan (BQ)
    • hosting Robyn Otto
  • Jenny Kwan, Vancouver East (NDP)
    • hosting Caroline Woodward
  • Erin O’Toole, Durham (CPC)
    • hosting Enya Bouchard 
  • Michelle Rempel Garner, Calgary Nose Hill (CPC)
    • hosting Madison Pearson
  •  Randeep Sarai, Surrey Centre (LPC)
    • hosting Hadeel Aziz
  • Brad Vis, Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon (CPC)
    • hosting Griffyn Chezenko
  • Arif Virani, Parkdale-High Park (LPC)
    • hosting Shona Moreau
  • Patrick Weiler, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country (LPC)
    • hosting Myles Goodman-Vincent

During their first allocation period (November 26, 2019 – March 20, 2020), the allocations were:  

  • William Amos, Pontiac (LPC)
    • hosting Madison Pearson
  • Stéphane Bergeron, Montarville (BQ)
    • hosting Christopher Coulson
  • Élisabeth Brière, Sherbrooke (LPC)
    • hosting Griffyn Chezenko
  •  James Cumming, Edmonton Centre (CPC)
    • hosting Hadeel Aziz
  • Pam Damoff, Oakville North—Burlington (LPC)
    • hosting Robyn Otto
  • Earl Dreeshen, Red Deer—Mountain View (CPC)
    • hosting Shona Moreau
  • Andy Fillmore, Halifax (LPC)
    • hosting Enya Bouchard 
  • Lloyd Longfield, Guelph (LPC)
    • hosting Caroline Woodward
  • Blake Richards, Banff — Airdrie (CPC)
    • hosting Myles Goodman-Vincent

“The Parliamentary Internship Programme is an exceptional program that offers a work-study experience for university graduates while at the same time providing Members of Parliament with the highest qualified assistants. These non-partisan interns participate fully in the parliamentary process and contribute to our Canadian democracy. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many of the interns during my time as a Member of Parliament and cannot stress how valuable an asset this program is to Members’ offices.”

James Bezan, MP

Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman

“The Parliamentary Internship Programme is a truly extraordinary initiative. I do not know who benefits more, the MP or intern; the interns experience a truly unique opportunity, while the MPs have the privilege of working with young men and women who will make a real contribution to their work. I have had the good fortune to work with many Parliamentary Interns over the past few years and I sincerely believe that this is one of the most positive experiences for me and my team. We have stayed in contact with the interns after their departure and it is always interesting to support them and follow their careers. I strongly recommend the program.”

Hélène Laverdière, MP

Laurier-Ste Marie

“As a former Parliamentary Internship Programme intern from the class of 1994-95, I am personally familiar with the benefits and opportunities that this program gives young Canadians while working for Members of Parliament here in Ottawa.  I have long been a supporter of PIP and since being elected in 2015, I’ve had the benefit of having 2 PIP interns work in my office.  Both interns provided me with invaluable, professional and unmatched non-partisan research, writing and office support.  The quality of the candidates who become PIP interns, selected through a highly competitive national process, means that only the “cream of the crop” are selected.  This is evidenced by the work I’ve seen them perform in my office but also in the research projects they undertake and that I have been happy to support and promote.  PIP was essential to my education and training, and allowing me to get where I am today and I would encourage all MPs to participate in this program and would encourage all young Canadians with an interest in Government to apply.”

Arif Virani, MP

Parkdale-High Park