It has been an exciting start to my internship on Parliament Hill in MP Larry Maguire’s office. Life at the Parliament of Canada is very fast-paced. Every day brings new and sometimes unexpected events that require attention. Whether it’s a summit on the situation in Venezuela, an emergency Justice Committee, or a congregation of truckers protesting in favour of pipelines, there is always something happening on the Hill.
Mr. Maguire represents the federal riding of Brandon-Souris in Manitoba and is a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. My primary duties so far have been assisting him in his responsibilities at the committee as he works to review and improve public policy. Immigration is a vast subject and an important platform for the upcoming election. Over the course of the last month I have undertaken a great deal of policy research and reviews of legislation, which has allowed me to develop a depth of knowledge and a better understanding of how to move policy issues forward. Currently, the committee is conducting a study on settlement services available to newcomers in Canada.
Throughout my short time here, I have had many opportunities to meet new people. In my work so far, I have had the change to cooperate with the offices of numerous Conservative MPs, including Lisa Raitt, James Bezan, Michelle Rempel, Ted Falk, and David Tilson. It has been both exciting and humbling to meet these legislators and to work closely with them as they work to improve our country.
Ostap Woychyshyn
