I was fortunate enough to have my first MPP Placement with MPP Bhutila Karpoche. MPP Karpoche has had an OLIP intern in her office the past 6 years and there is definitely a reason why! Herself and the team were extremely welcoming and made sure I got the chance to work on everything and anything while in the office. She really wanted to make sure I got the most out of the experience! I was given the opportunity to write Members Statement’s, speeches, social media content and constituency work. I truly got to see what it was like to work in an MPP's office.
MPP Karpoche made a historic achievement by becoming the first person of Tibetan heritage to be elected to public office in North America. She is very passionate on issues surrounding social justice and public health. She is a dedicated advocate of affordable housing, workers’ rights and public health care. Her passions really shone through in her work, and I was able to learn so much from MPP Karpoche.
In the OLIP Intern’s first placement there was a large chunk of consituency weeks, I was lucky enough to be close to Queen’s Park in Parkdale—High Park, where I got to spend a lot of time in the constiuency office. One of my highlights from the placement was when MPP Karpoche brought me on a tour of the riding. I got to see all the different communities within Parkdale—High Park and even got to try some local restaurants. Another highlight was helping organize and Pre-Budget Consultation Drop In event in the riding as well. It was really interesting to meet with many of community members from the riding and hear what the most important issues are to them.
MPP Karpoche is the official opposition critic for Affordability and GTA Issues. I grew up in a rural area, so GTA issues was a completely new topic to me and something I did not know much about. However, I learned so much about Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area while working in MPP Karpoche’s office.
Thank you MPP Karpoche, Spencer, Dechen and Carly for being so welcoming and making me feel like such a part of the team!
