Trinity Students Participate in U of T Women in House 2017
To celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, students travelled to Ottawa for a special edition of U of T Women in House. This program, aimed at promoting greater female representation in government, allows female students at the university the opportunity to shadow Canadian politicians for a day on Parliament Hill. Students witness political procedures, learn about gender equity, and engage in mentorship and networking with Canadian political leaders.
At the most recent session on September 25th to 26th, students enjoyed a unique opportunity to explore our nation’s capital. Beginning with a tour of the Supreme Court of Canada for a mock trial and Q&A with Justice Andromache Karakatsanis, the group later joined 90 Members of Parliament and Senators at a welcome reception. The following day students were paired with host MPs for the day.
Among the one hundred students that participated, 10 were from Trinity College. Included below are some of their reflections about their time on Parliament Hill and the benefits of the U of T Women in House program:
Frances Grace McCormick
Veronique Nuqui
Nammal Khan
Amelia Ritchie
Heather Wong
Riam Kim-McLeod
Sukaina Kazim
Mariya-Kvitlana Tsap
Nathalia Marques
Olivia Yidi Huang
Since its inception in 2013, close to 300 female students from the University of Toronto have participated in U of T Women in House. It is a non-partisan and bilingual program, co-founded by Trinity alum Tina Park and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and M.P. for St. Paul’s.
To learn more about Women in House, visit https://utwomeninhouse.wordpress.com.
Frances Grace McCormick
Program: Margaret MacMillan Trinity One – Public Policy- Parliamentary Host: MP Bev Shipley
Seated in the room that houses Canada’s highest court, we made up an unusual audience. I wondered at how rarely this courtroom had held a group like ours – a group of one hundred young women, each of us listening eagerly to the Honourable Andromache Karakatsanis as she spoke of the experiences that made up her path to the Supreme Court.
“I’ve found that the opportunities that influenced me most,” she said, “were the ones I couldn’t expect or plan for.”
Her words resonated with me. As a first-year undergraduate only a few weeks into my time at the University of Toronto, I could not have anticipated the opportunities that U of T’s Women in House program would offer me. During my two days in Ottawa, I was able to learn about and humanize the legislative process, make meaningful connections with leaders I truly respect, and build my confidence in a political environment. I witnessed the truth that seeking out diverse viewpoints strengthens our own perspectives, our relationships and our society as a whole.
Shortly after our session with Justice Karakatsanis, we attended a reception where we listened to and mingled with successful parliamentarians. As the MPs introduced themselves to our group, praising the Women in House program, I was struck by the common thread between the messages of the female leaders who spoke. They told us that being a woman in politics was more than a challenge to them: it was, in fact, a strength, a source of the nuance and determination in their perspectives. One MP said boldly that our journey would not be finished until not only half but 51 percent of the House of Commons consisted of women. I felt empowered by their energy, their sincerity and their willingness to confront the status quo. When I had the chance to approach and talk to these leaders, I soon found my sense of intimidation replaced by a new confidence. I spoke with women of influence and character like the Honourable Carolyn Bennet and Bardish Chagger, walking away both starstruck and inspired.
I was also able to meet Sarah Brown, the staffer of MP Bev Shipley, who I had the opportunity to shadow the following day. I was grateful to learn from Sarah’s experiences and to hear the story of how she came to work for Mr. Shipley, which echoed and reinforced Justice Karakatsanis’ remarks on unexpected opportunities.
The following day, I was thrilled to meet Mr. Shipley himself at his office. I felt surprised by how naturally our conversation flowed – like I actually belonged here, discussing politics with an MP – and appreciated Mr. Shipley’s eloquent, insightful responses to each of my questions. While I’d initially felt unsure of how I’d engage with his background and interests as a farmer and advocate for agriculture, I found that Mr. Shipley’s perspective gave me a unique awareness of some of the day’s most pressing policy issues. The government’s proposed tax reform, which would greatly affect agricultural communities, made up the bulk of the debate during question period. Mr. Shipley’s impressive knowledge of this issue exposed me to viewpoints and discussion to which I otherwise would not have had access. And, beyond policy, I found Mr. Shipley’s guidance on contributing to my community, taking decisive stances and keeping an open mind to be invaluable.
I would like to thank MP Bev Shipley and Sarah for the time and effort they spent to welcome me and to share their knowledge and experiences with me. I would also like to thank Tina Park for all she has done to run this program and promote gender equity in the political arena. I’ve emerged from the Women in House program with a deeper understanding of government affairs and my own interests in public policy, a fortified confidence, and a strengthened desire to create change as a woman passionate about policy and the public good.
Veronique Nuqui
Program: Margaret MacMillan Trinity One – International Relations- Parliamentary Host: MP Brigitte Sansoucy
I will never forget how I felt the first afternoon upon arrival in Ottawa, when a hundred of us women sat in the Supreme Court, speaking to Justice Andromache Karakatsanis. I had an overwhelming sense of pride and of hope, and for the first time, felt an amazing, welcoming presence at Parliament. I had been to Parliament Hill before, but at the time, it felt so distant. It felt so untouchable. But in the presence of these women and the Honourable Andromache Karakatsanis, there seemed to be a ringing repetition of the phrase: “Anything is possible,” in my head. It was a phrase that was repeated several times throughout the two days we were in Ottawa.
Later that night, we all had a Welcome Reception where I not only had the chance to meet MP Brigitte Sansoucy, the Member of Parliament I would be shadowing, but other MPs that I had admired as well, such as MP Bardish Chagger and MP Elizabeth May. At the reception, it was said that women are only representative. Whilst speaking to MP Bardish Chagger, she told me and others how her mother had prayed for her about two things: the first, that she would get married and the second, which she would stay out of politics. I laughed, and was incredibly amazed at how she’d gotten so far in her career with those expectations put upon her.
As a woman (albeit a young one), I had always had thoughts about raising a family and if that would interfere with my future career. But here, I was presented with several women MPs who manage to raise children as well. The next morning at breakfast, when I asked MP Brigitte Sansoucy on how she found a balance raising children and being an MP and if that was difficult, she said that having a governmental job is a family decision and that “it is necessary that it should be possible.” This is something I found insightful. In the past, many women were forced to choose between a career and a family. That day, it became apparent to me that I would no longer have to be concerned about having to make that choice. I also had the chance to speak to her about working in public service, especially working with Les Auberges du Coeur which helps build houses for impoverished youth in Quebec. This fascinated me as poverty is an issue that is very close to my heart. From MP Brigitte Sansoucy and her staffers, I learned that career paths are often non-linear and that I should be open to new opportunities even when they are out of my comfort zone.
During the second day being in Ottawa, I also had the chance to attend a question period in the House of Commons. I was enthralled by the animated speeches and the heated debates that arose from it, the topics discussed ranging from indigenous peoples to tax breaks. Later that day, I also had the chance to witness meetings with MP Hélène Laverdière about landmines and the disarmament treaty. Seeing plans being made firsthand during these meetings really opened my eyes to the passion and hard work the MPs put into their job.
I will never forget my time in Parliament and hope to come back in the future. I am truly humbled by the work these women have done for our country and was left with more hope for the future of women than ever before. I am endlessly grateful to have had this experience.
Nammal Khan
- Program: Margaret MacMillan Trinity One – International Relations
- Parliamentary Host: MP Sonia Sidhu
Despite spending a childhood surrounded by politics and various politicians, my interest within the field was not piqued until much later. It was near the end of elementary school, after realizing medicine and teaching were not the professions for me, when I accepted that the experiences that shaped my childhood were the ones I wanted to continue to follow.
One of the first political leaders I met was the former leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Jack Layton, and his wife Olivia Chow. Layton’s passion for his party and his goals for an energy conserving Canada were motivational and to me became the embodiment of a true leader – one that is willing to take a stand for his or her beliefs, despite the difficulties they may encounter.
The U of T Women in House program allowed me to expand on my definition to include the word inspirational. Although many women and a few present men on the hill may not have been trying to be, their actions and their hopes to achieve more female prominent voice and presence on the hill were inspiring and unforgettable.
When applying to this program, I had really wanted to learn about how women made an impact on the modern-day political sphere and what initiatives they were currently pursuing. Being on the hill allowed me to experience a relatively normal day of an MP, something that I had previously only heard or learned about in class. Shadowing MP Sonia Sidhu and spending time with her executive assistant taught me that despite the differing political affiliations, the people in parliament were one big family – outside of question period that is. Not only that, but it opened my eyes to the difficulties of drafting legislation on the federal level without imposing too many restrictions on the provincial – the current bill being discussed was Bill C-45, the legalization of marijuana. It was an honour to be able to give my personal input on the issue at hand and have the ability discuss other initiatives that Canada should be pursuing in the upcoming future.
My favourite part of the whole experience was getting a personal tour of the House of Commons and learning all the insider details about what goes on in the building. One of my favourite rooms in the whole building was the library, it was so grand and held every word ever spoken in Congress, a fact that floored me. Other parts of the building my inner history buff adored were the paintings of former Prime Ministers – can’t wait to see females up there – and of historical events that made Canada what it is today like the Charlottetown conference.
Amelia Ritchie
Program: Margaret MacMillan Trinity One – Public Policy- Parliamentary Host: MP Mona Fortier
The University of Toronto 2017 Women in House program I feel was an extremely important experience for me to be a part of. Over this trip, the girls who participated had two full days of activities. We spent the first of these days together, with a Q&A with Supreme Court Justice Andromache Karakatsanis and a lovely reception where we got to meet many influential individuals. The second day for me consisted of sitting in on a meeting my host, MP Mona Fortier, had discussing the importance of removing active land mines, a lunch in the Parliamentary restaurant (which was a particular highlight for me, as I got to do some people-watching of important politicians), a tour of Centre Block, and watching Question Period in the House of Commons.
I went into this trip not knowing a whole lot about politics or how a day on the Hill is spent, and luckily I was able to learn quite a bit about these things! I learned that the MPs staffers are very important and that it is a good idea to develop close relationships with them in order to build connections. I was also somewhat surprised to learn that the pace of the day of an MP is lightning fast – there are always people to meet with, relationships to form, meetings to prepare for or receptions to make an appearance at. Also, in my informal tour of Centre Block (and specifically the Senate foyer) I got to learn quite a bit about some of the history behind the architecture and features of the building, such as how the portrait of Queen Victoria was cut out of its frame by staff in order to be saved from fire in 1916. I was not expecting this history lesson, which made it a really pleasant surprise!
The reason that I wanted to go on this University of Toronto Women in House trip to Ottawa was in part because I wanted to learn more about Canadian politics, which as I just mentioned, I was able to do. However, my principle motive for going on this trip is that I wanted to see the work that Canadian female leaders were doing and try to model myself after their behaviour so that one day I could be a leader like them, in Canada or on the global stage. I would have to say that I definitely was able to do this. From Justice Andromache Karakatsanis, to the Honourable Karina Gould, to my gracious host MP Mona Fortier, I was able to witness the incredibility of so many astounding women, and I was able to truly believe that I could grow into a woman with much the same drive, skills, and credibility as them. Specifically, from our Q&A with Justice Karakatsanis (which was another highlight of my trip), I was able to listen to her talk about how my gender identification as a woman does not only mean that I will sometimes be subjected to sexism, but how it also means that this position can be an asset for me in the fact that my perception and my reality is different from that of men, and that I can use this in a particular way to further my career. From conversation with the Honourable Karina Gould, I was able to learn that it is natural to feel like sometimes I am not doing enough to get where I want to be or help those who I want to help, but that this does not mean that I will not end up as extraordinary as her. From MP Mona Fortier, I was able to understand that my life might not always go exactly as I am planning it now, but that I can always end up in a place that I love if I embrace what I am doing. I am so grateful that I was able to learn from not just these amazing women but others as well on this trip.
MP Fortier also said something over our lunch that seems to have stuck with me. When I asked her about how she got to volunteering to be a host for the University of Toronto Women in House program, she said that she has always found it extremely important to participate in events such as this one in order to inspire younger adults. I think that this is a very good philosophy – one that, when I become accomplished in my field further down the line, I would like to adopt. I find myself completely agreeing with the fact that younger people, such as my current self, need experiences that will show them what they can do. I will forever be thankful to MP Fortier, U of T Women in House coordinator Tina Park, and this wonderful program itself for allowing me the opportunity to do just that.
Heather Wong
- Program: Margaret MacMillan Trinity One – Public Policy
- Parliamentary Host: MP Terry Duguid
Going into the program, I was nervous. As a first year surrounded by brilliant upper year and graduate students, it was nerve-wracking to think that I would be networking alongside these incredible women. That fear immediately disappeared when I went to the first briefing. Everyone there was so welcoming that I couldn’t help but be inspired. This inspiration was only heightened when I found out that I would be shadowing Terry Duguid for the day with Lydia Ocharo, an upper year student. As Secretary for the Committee on the Status of Women, his work deals directly with important issues such as gender-based violence and economic security. In addition, his background in infectious disease was perfect for me, someone who is interested in the intersection of gender and health.
Shadowing MP Terry Duguid was a genuinely transformative experience. We began the day with attending a meeting for the Committee on the Status of Women, where the Liberal members immediately walked out in protest of the Conservative nomination of an anti-abortion candidate to chair the committee. I had the opportunity to see the ensuing media scrum up close, which gave an in-depth look into the parliamentary process and the variety of methods politicians use to express their desires. Even more interesting was listening in on the Conservative conversation afterwards and to hear the beginnings of their response strategy. MP Duguid filled us in on the moral opposition the Liberals felt regarding the nomination. In a time where cynicism is high regarding the political system, it was important to see politicians using language based in morality and not political expediency.
Following that dramatic meeting, we moved to an industry meeting regarding anti-spam and malware legislation. The meeting was completely bilingual, so my French got a good practising! While I didn’t have all of the background on the legislation, it was still really interesting to see how the parliamentary process worked and the bipartisan committee work together on information gathering to create a study.
After a delicious lunch provided by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Emerson and Denys took us to Question Period. Emerson is MP Duguid’s legislative assistant, who very patiently escorted us everywhere and waited for us to get through security each time. Denys is from Ukraine, here on a joint Ukranian-Canadian parliamentary internship program. Question Period was much rowdier than I thought it would be, complete with loud heckling. A wide range of issues were discussed, from farm taxation to cultural protection. Seeing my parliamentary heroes such as Chrystia Freeland and Carolyn Bennett respond in-person to questions was so inspiring. They were calm and collected under pressure and spoke with poise. One can only dream to reach that level of articulation.
The final meeting of the day was a stakeholder meeting to Inspiring Women in STEM. Essentially, four people were pitching to MP Duguid for his approval and to possibly receive funding from the Committee on the Status of Women. It was so interesting to see how people approach a meeting with a parliamentarian and the way they try to receive funding. It was a combination of a business pitch and an advice session; MP Duguid was genuinely giving advice as to how to navigate the funding system for initiatives that have yet to come to fruition.
This experience was inspiring on two levels. Firstly, being surrounded by intelligent and ambitious women has made me want to work that much harder to match the wonderful U of T community I have found. Secondly, seeing men like MP Duguid pledge to use an intersectional lens and meaningfully work to rectify gender equality has underscored the importance of partnership to fix societal problems. I want to thank MP Duguid, Emerson and Denys, and Ms. Park for putting all of this together. It has shown me that being in politics is possible, and that all of the tools are there for me to achieve that goal.
Riam Kim-McLeod
Program: Trinity College, International Relations and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations- Parliamentary Host: MP Judy Sgro
As one of the one hundred women who descended on Parliament Hill for the 150th Canadian Anniversary edition of Women in House, I was most shocked that my experience became less about being a woman in politics, but more about what it means to be a Canadian in politics. Perhaps it was because my parliamentary host, the Honourable Judy Sgro, was such an evident force of nature, being a woman in politics never obviously seemed to be a disadvantage. Instead, I learned that I am isolated from the workings of Parliament Hill, but in a wholly different manner.
It is one thing to know that Canada is geographically vast, and another to witness its sociopolitical ramifications. As one MP at our reception mentioned, only in Ontario is being from Ontario and being Canadian the same thing; everyone else must contend with regional identities. Before becoming a student at the University of Toronto, I was born and raised across the country in Vancouver. This was my first ever visit to Parliament.
Being able to see the back-stage happenings was an honour, and one that I am incredibly thankful for, but I was reminded that even making it to Parliament was an experience not enough Westerners are afforded. Unless you are privileged or extremely lucky, most BC residents cannot make the trip to Ottawa to witness the heart of our democratic system. Even fewer are able to work in it, as becoming a staffer requires economic means, connections to Ottawa, and a working knowledge of French that few from BC possess together. Being in Ottawa, and witnessing people’s surprise when I would tell them where I am from, made it clear to me that we from BC are chronically underrepresented in our country’s politics, aside from the proportionate representation in the House of Commons. Our regional representation in the Senate is even worse: BC has the highest population represented per senator of any province, and fewer senators than provinces such as New Brunswick, whose population is 1% of ours. My experience with Women in House has firmly established for me that this lack of representation must change, both through constitutional means, as well as through pragmatic means such as economic assistance for those without the financial ability to witness the workings of our Parliament.
Despite my growing wariness of Canadian regionalism, I must iterate my appreciation for my parliamentary host and her staff and for this program for affording me this opportunity. It has clarified my desire to someday work for the Canadian Government in a nonpartisan role, and has left me with a sense of pride in our democratic system and in being Canadian. I hope that one day there will be no need for this program to exist, as women will be naturally and unquestionably equal. Until then, inspired and educated by Women in House, my generation of strong, thoughtful female leaders will strive to make it so.
Sukaina Kazim
Program: Trinity College, International Relations- Parliamentary Host: MP Raj Saini
To be able to truly appreciate and understand what kind of experience the U of T Women in House Program, you have to physically be there.
My experience at the Hill in Ottawa was most definitely an eye- opening experience. While I had always wondered what life would be like when working in a political field, I had never actually witnessed it. However, with this program, I had the privilege of shadowing MP Raj Saini, who represents the riding of Kitchener Center. During my time with MP Saini, I was able to interact with him on a more personal level, where I was afforded the opportunity of experiencing what his job entails. Likewise, his staffers were extremely welcoming and encouraged me to ask all and any questions that I had, regardless of how simple or complex they were. I was pleasantly surprised by how enthusiastic anybody I came across was, in terms of wanting me to be fully aware of what was going on from meeting to meeting and building to building. The enthusiasm that MP Saini and his staffers had for their job was something that I expected to gradually fizzle out, yet that excitement was still there.
One of the highlights for me was the Welcome Reception at the Metropolitan Brasserie. While I expected a lot of interactions with the MPs that attended the event, I assumed that it would be consist of some small talk and then moving on to the next person. Contrarily, I had the pleasure of talking to a few MPs who took a genuine interest in what I was studying at University and what my interests were. Given that these MPs were women, made the interaction that little bit more impactful for me. When it came time for the MPs to give speeches at the event, all of the students participating in the program could not help but feel empowered. It was an inevitable feeling, given that we kept on hearing strong, educated and brilliant women talk about how important it is for us to make our mark in Canadian history.
Thinking along these lines, I do not think that I had a specific moment that was the ultimate highlight. While the Welcome Reception was a great way to meet all these empowering women who work at the Hill, it was more the concept behind the whole Program that made it meaningful for me. Furthermore, even though I had a male MP as my parliamentary host, I would argue that it was an equally advantageous experience. I saw the way that the male MPs interacted with the women as equals and how they advocated for an equal ratio of male and female MPs in the House. While it is an obvious fact that that should be the case, I had never before truly seen that much advocating for it.
I can therefore say with confidence that this experience was unforgettable. What I loved about this amazing opportunity that Tina Park so kindly provided us to partake in, is literally in the name – Women in House. To see woman after woman, talking about their struggles and yet persisting to create a name for themselves, genuinely struck a chord with me. I would recommend that anybody who is interested in the field of politics should definitely apply for this program!
Mariya-Kvitlana Tsap
- Program: Trinity College, International Relations & Public Policy
- Parliamentary Host: MP Randy Boissonnault
It was such a pleasure to shadow MP Randy Boissonnault,
Canada’s first Special Adviser to Justin Trudeau on LGBTQ2 issues and an ally in the mission to diversify Canadian politics. I was in awe and had to pinch myself when I realized that I was experiencing political processes unraveling right before my eyes. Needless to say, I was not prepared for the speed with which MP Boissonnault traveled between meetings and other parliamentary duties. When you hear the advice, “wear comfortable shoes,” do not underestimate it. I walked away with lots of advice, but also lots of blisters.
The highlight of the day was sitting down with MP Boissonnault over lunch at the Parliamentary Restaurant and having a personable discussion about his career and its early beginnings. I was astonished to learn, that just like many other female MPs, Randy Boissonnault did not anticipate himself holding this role when he was younger. It was through encouragement by his community and a yearning to make a difference that led him into politics. Furthermore, it was very admirable to see the passion with which MP Boissonnault spoke about the causes he believes in, especially during the Indigenous caucus meeting and a Canada Equal Rights Coalition meeting. I also learned about the many challenges MPs face in regards to finding a work to life balance. As an Albertan, 7- hour flights to and from Edmonton Centre on a weekly basis leave very little room for personal time. For women in particular, the Q&A with Justice Andromache Karakatsanis revealed the difficulties of balancing family with career, where one often comes at a price of the other.
On another note, to my surprise, one of MP Boissonnault’s interns was Ukrainian like myself, which was a wonderful bonding opportunity. If I may say so myself, MP Boissonnault has polished up his Ukrainian accent quite well. Another highlight of the day was seeing how fond fellow colleagues are of MP Boissonnault!
Revealing who I was shadowing for the day was met with comments such as “Ohh Randy, you are very lucky. Randy is so friendly and funny” (and they couldn’t have been more correct). This was a common theme I observed, which was all the encouragement and support not only MP Boissonnault’s team offered each other but also parliamentarians amongst each other, regardless of their political affiliations. Putting their different political outlooks aside, the evening reception demonstrated how politicians build each other up.
I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to walk in the shoes of Canadian parliamentarians and to have shadowed MP Boissonnault. This day was a tremendous and an unforgettable learning curve.
Nathalia Marques
Program: Trinity College, International Relations- Parliamentary Host: MP Leona Alleslev
I’d like to begin by thanking Tina Park and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett for creating the program. I’d also like to thank the MPs and senators for agreeing to participate in the program, and recognizing the importance of female representation in the government. Lastly, I’d like to give special thanks to MP Leona Alleslev and her communications assistant, Annie, for taking the time to host us and for their kindness and hospitality!
The program surpassed my expectations and left me incredibly inspired and motivated. There were many memorable events throughout the trip. As soon as we arrived in Ottawa we had the unique opportunity of having a Q/A with Justice Andromache Karakatsanis. It was very exciting to learn about her career, the challenges she faced as a female in criminal law, her views on justice, amongst many other interesting topics. A highlight for me was when Justice Karakatsanis mentioned that it was great to see the room full of females, which did not happen very often.
Another remarkable moment from the first day was when we got to meet the MPs, senators and ministers at the welcome reception. The speeches were incredibly empowering – they reminded us to believe in ourselves, to use our voices, to be active in our communities, and that women do belong in the government. As a mother, it was especially encouraging to hear words supporting universal childcare, which is an issue that I am very passionate about. I had tears in my eyes a few times during the speeches, and so did others in the room.
The following day was equally exciting, as we got to experience a day in the life of an MP. I was quite surprised at how busy and fast-paced their days are. We got to spend some time with Annie, as MP Alleslev attended a private committee meeting, and she gave us a tour of the different buildings while answering all our questions. Over lunch, MP Alleslev explained to us how the government works, shared her views on defense, spoke about her role as Chair NATO PA, talked about her diverse background in the public and private sectors, and much more. It was particularly interesting to hear about her experience as one of the few females in the Canadian military. We also got to see her shoot a video for NATO PA, which was very exciting!
Overall, the program not only contributed to further my knowledge of the Canadian political system, but it also turn out to be an incredibly motivational experience, and I enjoyed every second of it!
Olivia Yidi Huang
- Program: Trinity College, International Relations
- Parliamentary Host: MP Dan Ruimy
My shadowing day with MP Dan Ruimy started with a meeting with lobbyists from Canada’s juice industry. Before the Women in House program, I was privileged enough that I worked with my local MLA and MP on several occasions, which offered me valuable insights of Canadian politics. However, my understanding of the political and legislative structures was never through the lens of an MP. The opportunity to see the decision- making process happening live was extremely exciting for me.
The meeting was about a small matter concerning the Canadian food guide, which immediately made me realize how nuances of even, just a suggestive document from the government can make unintended impacts to the society as a whole. For example, by advising on food portions or amounts, Health Canada can potentially impact the structure of the industry, the health of underprivileged people, and those who have difficulty to access necessary resources. Such an understanding of the influences of nuances was reinforced throughout my shadowing day in which I attended several standing committees’ meetings.
Working as an MP is perhaps glamorous. When MP Dan Ruimy gave me a tour through the gorgeous library of the parliament and when I saw the enchanting construction of the central chamber, I was fascinated by the beauty and power of the parliament. MP Dan Ruimy said that it still gave him a chill to walk up the parliament hill and to realize that it was the place where all the important decisions were made. Albeit the shining light there is the extraordinary responsibility that every member of the parliament bears, and the heavy promises they made to make the country better.
A One-day experience was short, but it was rich enough to inspire me to make comprehensive analysis of policies and legislations. I would definitely recommend this program to other students who are interested in gaining the first-hand experience of parliamentary works.
Categories: Arts & Science; Student News