Thanks to the inspiration and dedication of Alf Hales, the Parliamentary Internship Programme has offered 500 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.
Hadeel Aziz
BA Honours (Political Science – Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies), University of Toronto
Hadeel graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies and Political Science. With a passion for governance, Hadeel has worked extensively with several non-profits, including Daughters for Life and The Syria Film Festival, designing workshops for youth, organizing charity events, and writing grant applications. Hadeel is excited to apply everything she has learned in her academic career into practical contexts on the Hill. In her spare time, Hadeel loves to expand her collection of teas and write fiction and poetry.
Enya Bouchard
MA (International Relations), Université Laval
BA (Public Affairs and International Relations), Université Laval
Of Chinese origin, Enya grew up in Québec City. She holds a Master’s degree in International Studies with a specialization in International Relations from Université Laval. Her multidisciplinary background has given her an appreciation of international studies, and she further developed this interest during diplomatic simulations and conferences in New York, Washington and Vancouver. Enya has had the opportunity to study and work abroad, including a placement at King’s College London, a trade mission to China, and an internship at the Secrétariat général de l’Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie in France where she assisted the Political Committee in Djibouti and Abidjan. As a page at the Quebec National Assembly, a guide at the Governor General’s Residence, and as a student at the Youth Secretariat of the Ministry of the Executive Council, she has cultivated an interest in democratic institutions and politics. Her hobbies include reading, hiking and traveling.
Griffyn Chezenko
MA (Political Science), Memorial University of Newfoundland
BA (Political Science, Law and Society), Memorial University of Newfoundland
Originally from Cape Breton Island, Griffyn G. Chezenko is a Master’s candidate in Political Science at Memorial University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Law & Society. His research interests include Canadian politics, elections, party systems, and the intersection of gender studies and political science. His MA thesis, for instance, assesses party system change in Nova Scotia. While at MUN, Griffyn was an active participant in student life as treasurer of the Memorial Political Science Graduate Students’ Society and as an original member of the Memorial Gender and Politics Lab. Griffyn is also active in his community, having served as a board member of the Georgestown Neighbourhood Association and as a representative on the City of St. John’s Environmental Advisory Committee. Moreover, Griffyn has a diverse employment history, with past experiences including Census enumeration, elections administration, human rights complaint investigations, motor vehicle registrations, and teaching and research assistance. In his spare time, Griffyn enjoys exploring new places with his partner, Cordelia.
Chris Coulson
BA (Political Science), University of British Columbia and Langara College
Chris was born and raised in Vancouver and recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of British Columbia. While there, he co-facilitated a Student Directed Seminar on international development assistance between Global South states and travelled to Chongqing, China, to compare urban solutions to global challenges. According to his parents, he has been interested in politics since he provided his thoughts on the 2001 BC election in Grade 1 Show-and-Tell. Chris was honoured to serve as Premier of the 88th British Columbia Youth Parliament, an organization dedicated to community service through its motto of “youth serving youth”. He has previously worked with organizations in the non-profit, private, and government sectors. This includes his time with the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat and at Disney World. His research interests include analyses of public administration and Canada’s relationship with Latin America.
Myles Goodman-Vincent
MPhil (Development Studies), University of Cambridge
BA Honours (Political Studies), Queen’s University
Born in Toronto and raised by Canadian parents in Switzerland, Sudan, and Nepal, it is unsurprising that Myles is passionate about Canadian foreign policy and Canada’s role in international relations. Myles recently graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MPhil in Development Studies, where he was able to explore his interest in social policy and political economics. Prior to attending Cambridge, Myles received his BA (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University. During his time at Queen’s, Myles worked at the Queen’s Student Experience Office, acting as a mentor for first year students. Myles has worked with refugees as a student in Kathmandu and later as an intern with the UN Refugee Agency in Greece. He has also had the opportunity to work as an intern with Save the Children International. In his spare time, Myles enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking, and soccer. Appreciating being in the outdoors and working with youth, Myles has spent many of his summers in Algonquin Park, working as a Camp Counsellor and climbing instructor.
Shona Moreau
BScSoc Honours (Conflict Studies and Human Rights), University of Ottawa
Born in South Africa and raised in Québec, Shona is a dual citizen and a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa with an interest in international law, diplomacy and citizenship. During her studies, Shona participated in an academic exchange to China and conducted field research on European integration in Germany and Belgium. Additionally, Shona has worked as a research assistant on elections and immigration. Professionally, Shona has had the privilege to work for the Senate of Canada in the Senate Page program, the Department of Justice on files related to the over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system and legalisation of cannabis, as well as the Department of Indigenous Services on First Nation education partnerships. In the past year, Shona worked at the Human Right Clinic supporting the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Prosecutors.
Robyn Otto
BA Honours (History), University of Winnipeg
Robyn was raised on a family grain farm in Thalberg, Manitoba. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from the University of Winnipeg and won the Gold Medal for Achievement in History. During her studies, Robyn worked as a research assistant and as a historical interpreter at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. Following graduation, she accepted a position at the Juno Beach Centre and was fortunate enough to travel to Normandy, France to work as a guide. Robyn’s interest in politics is rooted in her love of history, as well as her passion for agriculture, feminism and the environment. Outside of politics, she enjoys hiking, camping, cycling and podcasts. She is thrilled to be part of the Parliamentary Internship Programme!
Madison Pearson
BA (Political Studies), University of Alberta, Augustana Campus
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and English, with a certificate in Writing Studies, from the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. During her undergraduate degree, Madison had the opportunity to learn about issues impacting rural Canadians, including technology, health, and the environment, as a research assistant for the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities. Her research with the ACSRC, as well as her independent research, has taken her around the world to present and learn. Madison has worked in municipal administration, informing broadband policy and programming in rural Alberta. She has experience as a peer tutor for the Augustana Writing Centre and as a Court Worker for the Elizabeth Fry Society in both Edmonton and Camrose. Madison looks forward to new understandings of Canadian politics and political processes as a parliamentary intern.
Caroline Woodward
MA (Political Studies), Queen’s University
BA Honours (Political Studies), University of Ottawa
An avid follower of Canadian politics, Caroline holds a Master of Arts (Queen’s University) and an Honours Bachelor of Arts (University of Ottawa), both with specializations in Political Studies. Her research interests include the politics of immigration, nationalism, and critical border studies. Her major research project for her Masters was a comparative study of Canadian public debate on immigration policy in the 1970s and 1990s. Caroline has experience working in the House of Commons as a Parliamentary Page, as well as in the not-for-profit world. She recently lived and volunteered with a dairy cooperative union in Chapagaon, Nepal, where she developed her strong appreciation for the importance of intercultural dialogue and collaboration. Caroline looks forward to gaining exposure to the ‘inner workings’ of Parliament through the Parliamentary Internship Programme!