Political Jobs in Ottawa: Legislative Assistants (LAs) to Members of Parliament

Law. Academia. Consulting firms.

These are some of the areas in which political science stu- dents traditionally find work. But if you’re more interested in Trudeau than in academic ten- ure, you may want to consider becoming a legislative assistant to a Member of Parliament (MP).

LAs are at the centre of Cana- dian politics–the Parliament. The pace is fast, the atmosphere charged, the decisions historic.

Sometimes known as Parlia- mentary or Special Assistants, LAs have a behind-the-scenes look at these historic decisions. INSIDE As their name suggests, LAs assist MPs with legislative duties The Roles of a Legislative Assistant and handle communication and p. 2 media relations. Yet , outside of MP 101: How MPs staff their offices , little is known p. 3 about the role of Legislative Assistants. Internship and Volunteering Opportunities p. 4-5 This non-partisan guide at- The LA FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions tempts to change that. It draws p. 6-7 on extensive research and inter- views with Members of Parlia- Acknowledgements and Additional Sources ment and Parliament staffers to p. 8 inform you–the political science student–about a job you may want to pursue after graduation. The Roles of a Legislative Assistant Assisting MPs with Legislative functions

Votes When the House is in session, LAs must inform their boss about each issue that comes to a vote. LAs must consider their MP’s personal values, their constituents, and their political party.

Committees Each MP belongs to several Parlia- mentary Committees. LAs make sure that their MP knows the agenda of each of these meetings. In addition, the LA conducts extensive research on committee issues and ensures that the MP has questions to ask commit- tee witnesses.

Question Period (QP) contact they have with the media message than Householders. LAs is the part of the about issues before the House. may help select or write articles for Parliamentary Process that the media the 10-percenters and collaborate covers most extensively. LAs must Householders with the Constituency Assistant to help determine which questions their Householders inform constituents determine where to send them in the MPs should ask and which state- about federal issues that affect their riding. ments they should make during QP everyday life, such as health care and based on their MP’s main interests employment. They are sent to each Other Correspondence and constituent issues. household in the MP’s riding. LAs MPs respond to constituency cor- may help write and design House- respondence and write letters to Bills holders before they are printed and colleagues, Ministers, and the Prime The LA may assist their MPs in mailed to constituents. Minister about the issues on which drafting Private Member’s Bills or in they work. Many MPs collaborate creating amendments to legislation. 10-percenters with their LAs to make sure that As its name suggests, 10-percenters their message in these communica- Managing MP are printed communications sent to tions is effective and appropriate. Communications 10-percent of the constituents in a LAs must understand their MP’s MP’s riding. These communications position on a variety of issues and be Briefs represent the views of MPs and their diplomatic and personable in the cor- LAs prepare MPs for interviews, political party, and they tend to be respondence they are asked to do. press conferences, and any other more partisan and targeted in their

2 MP 101: How MPs Staff Their Offices

Members of Parliament surround “Constituency Assistants are part Administrative Assistant (AA) themselves with a trusted entourage mediator and part social worker,” says of staff members (or staffers). To Peter MacLeod of The Constituency The AA often shares work with the function effectively in their job, Legis- Project. “They act as advocates for Constituent Assistant. AAs are lative Assistants must understand the constituents on issues such as taxes responsible for taking phone calls, organization of the office in which and immigration and represent their handling paperwork, and schedul- they work. concerns in the federal government.” ing the MP’s meetings in the riding. They tend to keep extensive contact Although each office is different, an Constituent issues, or casework, with community and local political MP’s office generally has the follow- dominate most of the Constituency organizations in the riding. ing structure: Assistant’s work. Constituent As- sistants are also in everyday contact “You are as successful as your The Ottawa Office with the Legislative Assistant to coordinate the MP’s activities and to boss’ performance,” make sure that their MP is aware of Louis-Alexandre Lanthier, long- The Member of Parliament breaking local and federal issues. Legislative Assistants work for time staffer on Parliament Hill “backbenchers;” that is, MPs who are not party leaders, caucus officers, or cabinet ministers. MPs are elected to represent their constituents–the people who live in their riding–in the federal legislative process. They also act as the supervisor and employer of their staff.

The Executive Assistant (EA) The EA runs the MP’s Ottawa office. He schedules the MP’s meetings in Ottawa and makes the MP’s weekly travel arrangements to and from the riding.

The Riding Office

The Constituency Assistant Each MP has at least one Constitu- ency Assistant. (MPs whose ridings cover a geographically large region may have more than one constituency office and, therefore, more than one constituency assistant.)

3 Internships and Volunteer Opportunities Many MPs and Parliament staffers Legislative Internship Internships in the Legislative consider internships and volunteer Programme (OLIP) Assembly of work as the best preparation for future LAs. So take a step outside The Canadian Political Science As- The Legislative Assembly of British of the lecture hall and see how the sociation (CPSA) offers a ten-month Columbia offers recent graduates legislative process really works. internship program at Queen’s Park from universities and colleges in the for students who want to work as province the opportunity to work for Internships in the Legislative assistants for backbenchers and a Minister and for a Member of the Assembly of pursue research on a related topic of Legislative Assembly (MLA). Each their choice. Interns split their time intern receives a $17,250 stipend The Legislative Assembly of Mani- between two placements: one in the for the six-month program. At the toba offers six internships during office of a Member of Provincial end of the program, all of the interns which interns research policy and Parliament (MPP) in the govern- work together to produce a newspa- work on constituency issues for a ing party and one in the office of a per that reflects their experiences in Member of the Legislative Assembly MPP in the opposition party. Each the Legislature. (MLA). The ten-month program student receives a $19,000 stipend offers a $1,033.74 bi-weekly stipend and another $1,000 award upon their Applicants must be residents of Brit- for each intern. It also includes submission of the program’s required ish Columbia and either have citizen- seminars that cover a wide range of research project. Students have the ship or permanent residency status in topics related to government. At the opportunity to travel to other legisla- Canada. Interns who plan on pursu- end of the program, interns submit tive institutions and to the ridings of ing a M.A. in Political Science at Si- a research report based on a public the members for whom they work. mon Fraser University, the University policy issue in Manitoba. of British Columbia, or the Univer- Applicants must possess an under- sity of Victoria may arrange to obtain All applicants must be graduates graduate degree from a Canadian credit for their respective degree from a university in Manitoba. (Per- university and demonstrate knowl- programs from their internship. manent residents of Manitoba who edge and interest in the Ontario graduated from universities outside legislature. Web site of the province are also eligible to http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/info/2-5.htm apply.) Applicants should possess Web site excellent oral and written communi- http://www.olip.ontla.on.ca cation skills in English (similar skills in French are considered “a strong asset”), participate in extracurricular activities, and know how to research and write reports independently.

Web site http://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/info/ internship.html

4 Internships and Volunteer Opportunities

Programme annuel de bourse et Volunteering Suggestions de stages parlementaires in the Quick Facts about National Assembly of Legislative Assistants must know Members of Parliament about current policy issues and where Number of MPs The their political party stands. By volun- Fondation Jean-Charles-Bonenfant 308 offers five $15,000 scholarships for teering for your political party, you can learn more about these policy is- students who are interested in study- Number of current MPs who ing the political and parliamentary sues, network with like-minded indi- are political scientists institutions of Quebec. The ten- viduals in your region, and participate 1 (Réal Ménard) month program includes two place- in politics at a grassroots level. ments: one in the office of a deputy Number of current MPs who who belongs to the governing party You may also want to check the stu- were born outside of Canada and another in the office of a deputy dent organizations at your university 39 who belongs to the Opposition party. to see if any are affiliated with your At the end of the program, students political party. MP of the smallest riding (in area) Pierre Pettigrew (Papineau) must submit and present a thesis If you live or study in the Ottawa related to their work. MP of the largest riding (in area) region, you can apply to become a Nancy Karetak-Lindell (Nunavut) The program is open to all students volunteer in a MP’s Parliament of- who earned un baccalauréat from a fice. Volunteers work approximately MP who has served the longest Quebec university within the past 20 hours a week and are generally in Parliament two years. All applicants must be university students. Depending on Bill Blaikie (Elmwood—Transcona) Canadian citizens or permanent the MP’s office, volunteers answer residents of Canada, and they must phone calls; handle constituent cor- Source: The Library of Parliament be fluent in French. respondence; assist in the writing of Householders, 10-percenters, and Web site Questions for QP; and research their http://www.assnat.qc.ca/fra/ MP’s issues of interest. fondation-jcb/bourses/index.html

The official Web sites of the four major parties have sections where you can sign up to become a volunteer:

Bloc Québécois http://www.blocquebecois.org

Conservative Party of Canada http://www.conservative.ca

Liberal Party of Canada http://www.liberal.ca

NDP http://www.ndp.ca 5

5 The LA FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions How can I prepare myself for be able to recommend which courses Each LA is considered an employee a job as a LA? would prepare you best for working of the Member of Parliament for on the Hill. whom he or she works. This means Besides pursuing volunteer and that, if your boss does not get re- internship opportunities, you should Watch political programs elected, you no longer have a job. create habits now that correlate to Study how MPs and spokespeople Your salary is at the discretion of the functions that LAs often perform: from the political parties convey their Member of Parliament, who has an messages on television. The following operating budget of approximately Read the news programs often feature such guests $250,000. Keep track of major current events and summarize the major viewpoints that influence Ottawa, Canada, and on the political issues of the day: NDP staff members are the only the world at large. Try to read a va- unionized Parliament staffers. If you riety of newspapers and publications Politics Early Edition become a LA for a NDP MP, you are Weekdays, 10:30 AM ET, CBC to understand different viewpoints on entitled to receive a starting salary in these events. Most newspapers have the $30,000 range. online versions of their daily editions: Politics Weekdays, 5:00 PM ET, CBC Although they are not considered employees of the government, LAs http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ Question Period are entitled to the same benefits that Sunday, 12:00 PM ET, CTV public service workers receive. To The National Post learn more about these benefits, visit http://www.canada.com/national/ Primetime Politics the Treasury Board of Canada’s Pen- nationalpost/index.html Weekdays, 8:00 PM ET, CPAC sions and Benefits Web site at http:// www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hr-rh/bp-rasp/index_e.asp. The Hill Times Revue politique http://www.hilltimes.com/ Weekdays, 7:00 PM ET, CPAC How many LA positions are La Presse Tribune parlementaire there? http://www.cyberpresse.ca/reseau/ Weekdays, 5:30 PM ET, RDI

Le Devoir The government does not publish statistics on the staff of Members of http://www.ledevoir.com/ What is the general salary Parliament, but it is estimated that Take courses outside your disci- range for LAs? 200-250 people work as LAs. pline LAs typically earn $30,000-$70,000 LAs must draw on skills and knowl- a year. Most LAs start at the lower edge from a variety of disciplines. By end of the range, and the amount that taking university courses in journal- LAs generally receive varies according ism, public relations, French, sociol- to their previous experience. ogy, economics, or history, you will be able to complement and enhance your understanding of Canadian politics and policy. Academic advisors may

6 The LA FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions What challenges do LAs face for whom you want to work. What qualifications do I need in their work? to have to become a LA? Once you’ve done your background A LA may need to research the latest work, you are ready to apply for a LAs must have a university degree. policy issue, work on a 10-percenter, position. Each MP has a different Other qualifications vary according to and fulfill their MP’s requests for hiring process, but the following each MP, but successful LAs typi- instant information–all in one day. strategies are generally accepted ways cally: With so many responsibilities, LAs to apply. must learn how much time to spend • dedicate themselves to the MP and his Submit your CV and a cover letter causes on each task and how they should • have an interest and understanding of prioritize their work. to your local MP. Canadian politics After reviewing your CV, the MP • manage time well “Sleep and take breaks when you will decide whether to recommend • act maturely and professionally can,” advises one Hill staffer. “Other- you as an applicant. If the MP does • are able to research, synthesize and recommend you, then her office will analyze complex policy issues in a short wise, you’ll burn out.” period of time send your CV to Parliament Hill and • are able to multitask And if you like discussing your have it distributed to various offices. • possess excellent written and oral com- workday with friends and family, be (If you do not know the name of your munication skills careful: a lot of the work that LAs do Member of Parliament, go the Parlia- • are able to work well with others and independently must remain confidential. If LAs dis- ment Web site, where you can search • are bilingual (depending on the MP) cuss sensitive information, whether for MPs by postal code.) it’s an upcoming major policy deci- sion or a crucial political strategy of Submit your CV and cover letter their MP’s party, they ruin not only to the MP(s) for whom you wish What type of career path do their reputation, but also the reputa- to work. LAs normally follow? tion of their MP. If the MP has an opening, his office will contact you. If not, the office Most LAs stay in their positions for will pass your CV to the office of its several years. During that time, they How can I become a LA? party’s Whip. MPs generally request develop key communication, analyti- CVs from their Whip’s office when cal, and managerial skills that they As with any other field, you should they need to hire a new staffer. can apply to careers as executive as- network to learn about available posi- sistants to MPs, assistants to Cabinet tions. Participate in your local politi- The MP goes through the CVs Ministers, lobbyists, senior bureau- cal organizations and let people know that he has gathered through either crats, and government affairs officials you are interested in working as a LA. of these processes and determines in the private sector. They might offer you advice or give which candidates to interview. If you leads to possible openings. Fol- you are selected for an interview, you low up on leads and research the MPs should expect to speak with the MP for approximately 45 minutes.

“People who are polite, confident, punctual, calm under pressure, and well-organized will do best as a Legislative Assistant,” Josh Arnold, Executive Assistant to Wajid Khan, MP

7 Acknowledgements and Additional Sources

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank the following people for their assistance in this guide.

Josh Arnold Executive Assistant to Wajid Khan, MP

Dr. James Baker Director, Canadian Parliamentary Internship Program, Western Kentucky University

Dr. James Bickerton Author, Canadian Politics and Associate Professor of Political Science, St. Francis Xavier University

Michèle Charbonneau Principal Assistant to Marlene Jennings, MP

Dr. David Docherty Chair, Department of Political Science, Wilfrid Dr. Judith McKenzie Additional Sources Laurier University Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Guelph The Canadian Political Science Aaron Hynes Association Legislative Assistant to Guy Lauzon, MP Caroline Parent Parliamentary Assistant to Nicole Demers, MP http://www.cpsa-acsp.ca

Louis-Alexandre Lanthier The Long-time staffer on Parliament Hill Doug Rice Legislative Assistant to Bob Mills, MP http://www.parl.gc.ca Louise Kennedy Executive Assistant to Bob Mills, MP Charla Robinson Legislative Assistant to Ken Boshcoff, MP Peter MacLeod About the author Author, The Constituency Project Dr. Jonathan Rose Gabrielle Grubka was an intern in the Associate Professor of Political Studies, House of Commons and the Senate. Jonathan Malloy Queen’s University She studied Canadian Politics at St. Assistant Professor of Political Science, Car- Francis University in Antigonish, Nova leton University Carol Skelton Scotia and received her B.A. in French MP, Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar (Honours) with minors in International Studies, Civic Society and Sustain- Richard McGuire able Communities, and Writing from Executive Assistant to Mark Holland, MP Peter Stock Daemen College in Amherst, NY. She Political Consultant is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Professional Writing at Carnegie Mellon University.

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