For my first MPP Placement, I am working in the office of MPP Christine Hogarth. MPP Hogarth is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party and represents the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. She currently holds the portfolio of Parliamentary Assistant to the Solicitor General.
Etobicoke holds a special place in my heart: this is the suburb where I grew up and currently live, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be placed in a constituency that allows me to take a deeper look at the issues and concerns impacting my own community. Through the placement, I have gained a deeper understanding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore’s constituent demographics, residences and thriving businesses. While assisting in the preparation for MPP Hogarth’s tabling of her Polish Heritage Month Bill, I learned about Etobicoke-Lakeshore’s strong Polish community and the initiatives undertaken by the community to strengthen Polish-Canadian ties.
MPP Hogarth’s role as a Parliamentary Assistant to the Solicitor General has offered me a behind-the-scenes look at how a Ministry Office functions. It has been interesting to learn about the ways in which the pandemic has changed law enforcement and public safety guidelines. One of the Solicitor General’s pandemic responsibilities has been to conduct and table reports following the end of the Emergency Orders in Ontario. This gave me the unique chance to work on a speech regarding the COVID-19 Report delivered in the House in October.
The most empowering aspect of my placement so far has been the ability to see tangible results of my own work. Whether that has been through resolving constituent concerns, seeing speeches I wrote recorded in Hansard, or witnessing bills being introduced and progress through the legislative process. I want to thank MPP Hogarth as well as the staff at the Etobicoke-Lakeshore constituency office for their support and for providing me with this great experience.