MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION SHEET

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION SHEET

The following information can also be found on the Legislative Assembly home page at

http://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature with a link to the Internship Program.

OBJECTIVES

The Manitoba Legislative Internship Program was established in 1985 by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. It is intended to serve three broad purposes.

The program provides graduates of Manitoba's universities, or graduates of other universities who are permanent residents of Manitoba, with an opportunity to experience firsthand the legislative process within the Manitoba Legislature. Interns are assigned to work with the government and opposition caucuses in the Manitoba Legislature, where they perform a variety of tasks. In addition to being directly involved with the legislative process, the Interns participate in a series of seminars designed to enhance their knowledge of government operations, the economy, media journalism, and the nonprofit sector in Manitoba.

The program also provides MLAs of the recognized political parties represented in the Assembly with competent and educated assistance in policy research and constituency work. It enables them to delegate some constituency and other matters to Interns and frees them to deal more effectively with specialized and complicated legislative issues.

The long-term goal of the program is to develop a group of young Manitobans who understand the parliamentary system and the role of elected representatives within it. By fostering a knowledge of, and an appreciation for, the role of the Legislature within our political system among a group of future leaders, the Legislative Internship Program performs a valuable role in the province.

RECRUITMENT & SELECTION

Interns are recruited through a competition advertised at Manitoba's universities and at universities throughout the country. Posters for the program appear in December and application forms can be obtained from the following offices: Deans of Arts and Science, Politics/Political Sciences/Studies departments, and other academic departments of Manitoba universities, as well as from the Academic Director of the program. The deadline for the submission of applications is February 14, 2023. Advertising posters and a small supply of application forms are also sent to other Canadian Universities.

The selection committee for the Internship Program consists of the Academic Director for the program, an MLA representing each of the recognized political parties in the Assembly, a faculty member from a Manitoba university other than the institution represented by the Academic Director, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and a currently serving Legislative Intern. Copies of all applications are sent to every member of the selection committee for examination. Approximately twelve candidates are selected for an interview, which is usually held in late March or early April. Successful candidates are notified soon after the interviews are completed. Six candidates are chosen annually to serve as Interns.

Applicants should:

1. Have a university degree with academic excellence in any discipline by the time of the start of the internship year;

2. Have facility in written and oral communication in English; knowledge of written and spoken French will be considered a strong asset;

3. Show ability to conduct independent research and write reports, briefing notes, and other written materials. Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to do a short written assignment following the interview; and

4. Demonstrate evidence of involvement in extracurricular activities.

The choice of Interns is based upon several criteria, including:
o Personal maturity of the candidate;
o Ability to work well in a group, and willingness to give priority to official responsibilities over personal priorities;
o Ability to effectively problem solve;.
o Capacity for independent work and initiative;
o Tact and discretion; and
o Commitment to the academic component of the program.

A complete application must include 7 copies (including the original) of each of the following:

a completed application form;
a statement of motivation of not more than 250 words; three letters of reference from academics,
copies of university transcripts; and
a one-page résumé.

In preparing their applications, candidates should keep the following in mind:

• −  Academic excellence implies a strong academic record as indicated by transcripts and letters of reference.

• −  Letters of reference should be obtained from university instructors who can attest to the academic achievement and suitability of the candidate for the Internship.

• −  In the statement of motivation, candidates should indicate the basis for their interest in the Internship, how their background has prepared them for the program, what they seek to contribute to the program, and what benefits they hope to derive from it.

• −  It will benefit candidates if they present evidence, through transcripts, letters of reference, and their own statements, of their knowledge of and interest in Manitoba.

• −  Candidates should recognize that the continuing success of the program depends upon their conduct, performance and discretion. The selection committee will be interested in such personal qualities as: maturity, judgement, responsibility, initiative, and respect for confidentiality.

  In the case of applicants who are studying out-of-province, the program will arrange for interviews by Zoom or Skype.

TERM OF THE PROGRAM AND STIPENDS

Successful applicants are engaged on a ten-month contract from the beginning of September to the end of June of the following year.

Each Intern receives an annual stipend paid bi-weekly ($1,786.40 before deductions).

In addition to the stipend, Interns participate in expenses paid study trips to either Westminster in London, England or to two legislatures at the provincial, territorial and/or federal level as decided by each intern cohort.The study trips are part of the internship program.

ASSIGNMENT OF INTERNS TO CAUCUSES AND THEIR DUTIES

Interns are employees of the Legislative Assembly and are assigned to the caucuses of the recognized political parties. The entire term is spent with the caucus to which each Intern is initially assigned.

The Internship is a full-time position on the staff of the Legislative Assembly. On a daily basis, Interns receive direction and assignments from the Research Director for their respective caucuses and from individual MLAs. During their term, Interns should expect to undertake a wide variety of tasks. These may include: long and short-term research projects, preparing questions for Question Period, writing briefing papers on a wide range of issues, handling constituency matters, drafting correspondence, writing speaking notes and greetings, arranging and attending meetings and taking notes of the proceedings, monitoring and clipping newspapers, and performing a number of routine clerical tasks. During a legislative session, Interns can expect to be especially busy and to work long hours.

THE ACADEMIC COMPONENT

The academic component of the program consists of five elements:

1. Orientation period - An initial series of seminars with the Academic Director, the Clerk of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, MLAs and senior officials at the beginning of September introduces Interns to the principles and operation of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

2. Seminars - Scheduled throughout the internship with leading figures within the political system and government, business, community and non-profit sector. These seminars are normally held each Friday afternoon.

3. Study Trips to Parliament and/or other Legislatures – Each cohort of Interns can decide on a study trip to Westminster or a study visit to two Canadian jurisdictions. The trips usually take place in late winter or early spring, depending on the legislative session. The purpose of these study trips is to familiarize Interns with the parliamentary process at the federal, provincial and/or territorial level in Canada. The study trips consist of an intense program of seminars,meetings and tours with leading government and political figures, parliamentary and legislative officials, journalists, academics, community organizations, as well as with Parliamentary or Legislative Interns.

4. Research Paper - Each intern is required to write an academic research paper during their Internship on some aspect of Manitoba public policy. Interns’ papers will be made available to party caucuses and placed in the Reading Room of the Legislative Library.

5. Evaluation - Each intern is required to submit at the end of the internship period an evaluation identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the program, benefits they derived from it, and recommending changes to improve it.

FORMER INTERNS

Graduates of the program have gone on to further studies in law, political science, public administration, economics and other disciplines. Others have pursued careers in journalism, the public service, politics, business, law, the non-profit sector and in the service of the Assembly itself. The incumbent Clerk of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly is a former Intern while two currently serving MLAs are former Interns. The Internship offers a unique educational opportunity for young Manitobans and has provided MLAs with competent and educated research assistance. From time to time, events are held to recognize both former and current Interns.