For my first MPP placement, I have had the pleasure of working in the office of France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt and the NDP’s Health Critic. Over the past month, I had the opportunity to help MPP Gélinas with research for her Private Member’s Bill. The bill would have made Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly.
It was fascinating to watch and participate in the “life cycle” of a bill, from the initial drafting stages, to the tabling of the bill and first reading to, finally, the second reading debate on the bill in early December. Although the bill did not pass second reading, I learned from MPP Gélinas about some of the latent functions of private members bills, such as their ability to create debate on new or different topics and ideas in the House. It was fascinating to be a part of this process. I’ve also had the chance to work on some of the day-to-day legislative work. Some tasks have included writing press releases, drafting letters to Ministers, preparing speaking notes for debates in the House, and accompanying MPP Gélinas to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
I’m very grateful for MPP Gelinas’s Legislative Assistant, Damien, who has helped refine my writing so that it is concise and in the correct voice for the context it is being used in. I’ve also sat in on several Francophone parliamentary committees; an excellent opportunity to improve my French! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the office so far, and I am very grateful to MPP Gélinas, Damien, and Constituency Assistants Adele, Jasmine, and Monique for including me in the team!