Dear friends, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to share with you my first update from the UCC Parliamentary Internship.
I’m excited to be working on Parliament Hill and my first few weeks here in Ottawa have been intense but rewarding. I am grateful to the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership, especially Paul Migus, for providing training materials on the history and rules of Parliament for me when I first arrived. I am also grateful for the UCC Team in Ottawa for a warm welcome.
I’m very fortunate to be assigned to work with MP Chrystia Freeland at her Parliament Hill office. In the past few weeks there have been many important issues discussed in Parliament such as NAFTA, Venezuela, and the plight of the Rohingya people. I really enjoy the atmosphere here, and especially the company of my colleagues, who are young and passionate about what they do. They inspire me to work hard, and I am glad to be part of a supportive team where I can realize my interests and potential.
One of the most interesting experiences was observing the second reading of the Bill C-47, which will allow Canada to access the Arms Trade Treaty. In fact every day here on Parliament Hill is filled with breaking news, events, and meeting new people. I like the pace of work, the opportunity of networking, and feel like I am in “my place”. You need to think on your feet and be able to react quickly. I believe that this experience will be valuable to help develop my skills and build opportunities for the future!
Thank to everyone for their kind words and ongoing support.
Halyna Paliychuk
UCC Parliamentary Intern 2017
