Internship Diary by Jen Riggs, IU Kokomo Student

I was first made aware of this internship by Professor Donna McLean at IU Kokomo. She then proceeded to contact Professor Ken Steuer about the application process. I then had to call the Center for the Study of Global Change to see if I was eligible. After determining my eligibility, I then filled out a long application describing my interests and qualifications, submitted letters of reference, and submitted two pieces I had written.

I hope to learn about the Canadian Parliamentary system and how to write in a business environment. I hope to learn not only about politics, but also about the process that a member of Parliament must go through. Working closely with constituents from Jim Karygiannis' (member of Parliament) riding in Scarborough, Toronto, will help me learn how to communicate opinions and ideas effectively. [Editor's Note: A riding in Canada is the equivalent of a Congressional district in the United States.]

I will be able to write press releases, conduct research, present material, etc., while in Canada that will help my communication background. I will also be able to put to use the cultural communication classes I have had in the past. Although I believe the classroom is an excellent stepping-stone for learning, I believe that actually getting out there and experiencing it firsthand will be beneficial.

So far the internship has been amazing. On my very first day of work in Ottawa, my legislative assistant Margot asked if I would want to go to Toronto for the weekend because Jim Karygiannis (my member of Parliament) had a number of activities going on.

The very next day in Toronto I was able to sit in on a nomination meeting to determine who would run against Jim if an election was called. [To prepare for a possible election.] I pretended to be a photographer and Margot pretended to be a reporter. We were even able to get a one-on-one interview with one of the candidates! I snapped that picture and it has been cause for laughter all weekend! Right after the nomination meeting, there was a fundraiser with about 500 people. It was crazy. I took tickets for the event. After that I was able to sit and eat a four-course meal with other members of the government. During that time, I was able to see Jim speak for the first time. The man speaks brilliantly. It truly made me proud to be part of something so big and so important to Canadians.

The next day was a campaign meeting at Jim's house. The government has not fallen yet, but in case it does the staff is getting prepared. For instance, tonight I am doing phone canvassing to see who would be willing to put a sign in their yard this year. [ Editor's Note: There is talk that the government may "fall" in Canada because on May 19, the House of Commons will vote on the federal budget on a vote of confidence, and if it fails, the Prime Minister is forced to dissolve Parliament and call an election.]

One thing that is truly great about working in Canada is the beautiful scenery. I love walking around Ottawa at night. All of the other interns have been very welcoming, and I know I am going to make amazing friends during this trip. Working in this office is like working with a family. Everyone is very close and very welcoming. The environment is laid back, while at the same time everyone covers quite a large workload. I would recommend this experience to anyone!!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

Each intern is paired with a different member of Parliament based on his or her political affiliations back home. For instance, I would never be with a Conservative MP (member of Parliament) because I consider myself a left of center Democrat in the United States. My member of Parliament is a liberal whose riding is Scarborough-Agincourt in Toronto. [Editor's Note: A riding in Canada is the equivalent of a Congressional district in the United States.]

Margot is the legislative assistant working out of Ottawa. Jim Karygiannis also has an office in Toronto with an executive assistant, constituent assistant, etc. I work closely with Margot. She plans everything and keeps the ship running for Jim. I do many things for her. I also work for Jim, though, whenever he is in the office.

Yesterday, we held a business dinner for the Canadian-Pakistan Business Council. The dinner was crazy, and I got to try Indian food for the first time. A lot is going on at the Hill right now. Belinda Stronach just switched from the Conservative Party to the Liberal Party. The vote on Thursday (May 19) to determine whether or not the government will fall is now leaning more toward the liberals instead of the conservatives.

[Editor's Note: Liberal Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin set May 19, 2005, as the day for Parliament to vote on the federal budget. The House of Commons has been at a standstill for weeks, demanding that Martin resign. The opposition stems from a money laundering scandal within Martin's Liberal Party. The House of Commons passed the Liberal Party's budget 250-54, but an amendment to the federal document that was called to be voted on in a confidence motion is what caused a political standoff. If the budget fails, Martin would be forced to dissolve Parliament, which would trigger elections.]

Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

The vote on Thursday went well for the liberals. The budget was passed and the government did not fall. It was really interesting because Canadians arrived at Parliament Hill around 8:30 a.m. I almost felt guilty because I was able to enter the House of Commons and watch it take place when other people who had been waiting all day were not able to!

To back up a bit, though, last Wednesday I was able to see firsthand how the media works. My member of Parliament suffered from heartburn during question period the day before the big vote! Everyone feared he had had a heart attack and before I even knew what had happened, I was being called by the media asking for a statement. We had people calling in pretending to be co-workers, relatives, etc. It was absolutely crazy! Later on in the day people began saying that he just did it as a PR stunt to give sympathy to the Liberal Party! It was interesting to be right in the middle of the media frenzy. We were able to dodge the questions! It was definitely crazy, though!

This weekend the group of interns took a trip to Quebec City and Montreal. Both cities are truly beautiful. Quebec City is very European and beautiful. Montreal reminds me a lot of New York City. Both were amazing, though!

I did not work on Monday because of Queen Victoria's birthday. This is a slow, four-day work week. The House is not sitting this week for that reason. Normal Parliamentary schedules resume next week, though.

Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

Not a lot of new things have occurred since last week because the House was not in session until yesterday. I did, however, write a report that will be featured on Jim Karygiannis' Web site about the Canadian-Pakistan Business Council dinner that was held at Parliament May 17. I also was able to attend a Finance Committee meeting today regarding the budget, which has not actually been approved yet. The different parties in the committee were basically sparring a little bit, and it was definitely interesting to watch.

I have been told by Jim that one day after question period, I will be able to meet Prime Minister Paul Martin and take a photograph with him! I definitely look forward to that!

I have a meeting tomorrow with career diplomats at the U.S. Embassy.

Monday, June 6, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

My family was here for a day last week. Jim Karygiannis (member of Parliament) and Margot, legislative assistant, were very helpful with my family. Margot took time out of her busy schedule to give my family a tour of Parliament. They were able to go basically everywhere in the buildings because they were with us. Jim then took us over to Quebec where we ate dinner out. The dinner was lovely. He then took my family to the floor of the House of Commons. The floor of the House is the only place that staff is not allowed. You have to be invited by a member to the floor, so it was very nice of him to take my family there. It amazes me how close everyone who works together on the Hill is. It is much more like a family than an employer-employee relationship.

The office was busy the other day when a plane in New York that was thought to be hijacked was diverted to New Brunswick. [Editor's Note: On June 3, 2005, a Virgin Atlantic Airways flight from London to New York was mid-flight when a hijack alert was transmitted aboard flight 045. The plane, carrying 273 passengers and 16 crew, landed safely in New York after Canadian F-18 fighter jets escorted it to Nova Scotia.]

My member of Parliament is the Secretary to the Minister of Transport, so we had calls flooding our office to determine what had actually happened. Luckily it was a false alarm, so everything turned out OK. It has also been interesting because the same-sex legislation is being reviewed right now [Editor's Note: Bill C-38, is pending and would allow same-sex marriage]. We are being flooded with calls asking for Jim's stance on the bill. Right now, the main goal is to handle all calls with a calm, vague response! It has been interesting to discover the public relations aspect of the job.

I also had the fortunate opportunity to visit the Canadian War Museum on Sunday. It was an amazing experience. I was able to walk through the "trenches" and look at Hitler's car. It was also interesting because the war museum lines up perfectly with the Peace Tower at Parliament to remind people that peace is always the goal. It was truly beautiful.

Today, I have a reception for the winners of the 2005 Winter Special Olympics.

I then have a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should be an interesting day.

Thursday, June 9, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

To start the week off, we had a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the relationship between Canada and the United States. We also discussed how our internship was going. We then received certificates of completion for our work.

Yesterday was very exciting. Jim Karygiannis (member of Parliament) had to give a speech at 12:30. I was able to see firsthand the process of putting together a political speech. I was also the photographer for the event. Listening to a person give a powerful speech that you already knew and saw the labor that went into is amazing to me. The process is grueling, but the outcome is filled with pride.

I also went to a question period yesterday because my friend’s member of Parliament was reading a statement that my friend wrote at the House of Commons. It is amazing how involved each intern has become with their work. Being able to actually see what we are doing come alive is truly amazing.

To end the day, different interns participated in the New Democratic Party's party. I was able to meet Jack Layton (leader of the party). I was also able to meet many other different members of Parliament, such as Joe Comartin. The event was a lot smaller compared to the liberal party events because the New Democratic Party only has about 20 members. It is still a very powerful party, though, and it is actually the party who makes up the budget that is being put into use.

This weekend is a liberal party convention. I will be working at the convention. I will also be able to attend different speeches, especially one given by Premier Dalton McGuinty. [Editor’s Note: In Canada, a Premier is the head of government of a province. There are currently 10 provincial premiers in Canada. Dalton McGuinty is Premier of Ontario.]

I wrote an article regarding the Canadian-Pakistan Business Council dinner that was May 17. The story is on the Internet. I also took the pictures for another article on the Clean Air Day Speech.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Ottawa, Canada

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to attend a provincial liberal convention. At the convention, I was able to witness the speech of Premier Dalton McGuinty and the mayor of Ottawa. It was very interesting and exciting to see thousands of people so excited to hear words from the people they believed in.

Yesterday and today I was able to meet with Canadian Prime Minster Paul Martin. I was coming back from a question period and he was running up the stairs. He took the time to stop and talk with me though. I was able to meet with him again today on a more official level. I was helping escort 100 children who wanted to get their picture taken with him. It was extremely nice of him to take time out of his busy schedule to allow children to take photos with him.

We talked about my involvement in the internship program. We didn't talk for long because he was very busy, but it was long enough to make a person feel special! I still find it amazing that I got to meet a prime minister, especially when I am a young, noncitizen of Canada.

Friday, June 17, 2005
Tipton, Indiana

I arrived home yesterday. My internship ended beautifully. My member of Parliament took me out to dinner in Quebec with my legislative assistant, another office member, and his wife. The dinner was amazing. We sat and reminisced about the past five weeks. They even bought me a sweater from the Parliament boutique. It is truly beautiful, and it’s red for the Liberal Party.

After the dinner, my member of Parliament had to go back to the House of Commons for a string of votes. I was able to watch all of the votes. Jim passed a note to Prime Minister Paul Martin in the middle of the votes asking him to take a photo with me. I was able then to once again see Paul Martin and take a photo with him this time! My legislative assistant is sending the picture to Paul Martin's office for him to sign and return it!

I have learned a lot through this internship, but I will always cherish the feeling of family that I had through my co-workers and other interns. I have only been away from Ottawa for a day, but I already miss it terribly. I have already talked to three-fourths of the other interns in the program. It feels great to know I have an extended family out there.

Friday, June 24, 2005
New York

I am in New York right now working at a summer camp until school starts back up. 

I definitely plan to become more active in United States and local politics. I always knew that paying attention to the issues and the answers politicians provided were important, but I did not truly understand that until I saw both sides of the government process. The politicians truly want to get messages out, and for those messages to be ignored is a shame. 

I would do this internship again without a second thought. I had an absolute blast. It will go down in history as one of the best times in my life.