Executive Backbenchers or Political Nobodies? The Role of Parliamentary Secretaries in Canada by David Gamache Hutchison Winner of the Alf Hales Research Award November 1999 Paper written for the Institute On Governance’s 1999 Alf Hales Research award Institute On Governance, 122 Clarence St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 5P6 Tel.: 1 613.562.0090 – Fax: 1 613.562.0097 – e-mail:
[email protected] – Website: www.iog.ca Ó 1999 All rights reserved Executive Backbenchers or Political Nobodies? The Role of Parliamentary Secretaries in Canada ISBN 1-894443-03-9 Published and distributed by: The Institute On Governance Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Phone: (1-613) 562-0090 Fax: (1-613) 562-0097 Web Site: www.iog.ca Table of Contents ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION 1 HISTORY 3 STATUS 6 SELECTION 7 CAREER PROSPECTS 9 RESPONSIBILITIES 12 JOB SATISFACTION 17 THE FUTURE OF THE POSITION 20 INTERVIEWS 24 NOTES 25 David Gamache Hutchison David Gamache Hutchison served as a Parliamentary Intern in the Canadian House of Commons in the 1998-99 academic year. His previous experience in government included a tour guide position at the Quebec National Assembly and an internship at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. David is currently completing a Masters degree in political science at the University of Alberta. Alf Hales Research Award The Institute On Governance (IOG) created the Alf Hales Research Award in 1999 to recognise the valuable educational experience that the Parliamentary Internship Programme provides in Canada. The award seeks to promote research excellence and young people’s understanding of governance issues. It is handed out annually to the best Intern essay on a particular aspect of the Parliamentary system.