Apply

February 28th, 2010: Deadline for applications

April 16th, 2010: Final shortlist meeting of selection panel. All applicants will be informed of the status of their application by April 21st.

April 29th, 30th and May 1st: Interviews held in Toronto for those applicants selected at April 16th meeting of selection panel. Candidates will be informed of the status of their application within a week of interview.

Application Forms 2010-11

Transcripts must be official & sealed transcripts and it is preferred that transcripts and reference letters are sent directly to us rather than through the applicant.

Please note that we no longer require six copies of the application form

Applicants

The Ontario Interns are chosen through a rigorous process based on academic excellence, personal maturity and demonstrated interest in parliamentary government. The minimum requirement for a position as an Intern is a degree from a Canadian university and an interest in and a knowledge of Ontario politics. However, Interns often possess or are working towards graduate degrees.

Programme Overview

Although there is an academic component to the programme (through seminars and the preparation of papers on the Legislature), the principal purpose of the programme is to provide MPPs with extra staff assistance. The Interns split their ten months at Queen's Park between two individual members: they work one half of the time for a government MPP and the other half for an opposition MPP (ministers and party leaders are not eligible).

The range of duties performed by Interns for MPPs is very wide, and depends on the Member's priorities and responsibilities. Interns write speeches, prepare MPPs for question period and for committee work, research policy issues of interest to the Member, assist with constituency work and attend meetings with Member and on her or his behalf. Members are encouraged to take their Interns with them to their constituencies at least once during their time together.

In their ten months at Queen's Park, Interns gain valuable experience and insight into the provincial political process. Graduates of the programme have established themselves in a variety of responsible positions in government, business, journalism, law and academic life.