I was fortunate to be placed with the Table Research Office. This small but mighty group provides procedural research to the Clerk of the House, the Speaker, and MPPs. The work that the Table Research Office does isn’t always black and white, as I have come to learn. The practice and procedures adopted by the House and Committees often have complex and interesting histories and stories behind them.
Part of the work that the Office does is documenting the practices and procedures that are found at the Ontario Legislature. When I joined, the Office tasked me with documenting the various changes in the procedures and practices of the House, the Precinct and Committees since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been some exciting adaptations to how the Legislature operates, and learning about these has been fascinating. I had the pleasure of interviewing some of the Assemblystaff who have been at the centre of these changes, with the benefit of recent memories. Through my conversations with the Deputy Clerk, the Legislative Protective Service, the Broadcast and Recording Service, and Committee Clerks, I have learned a great deal about all the hard work that happens behind the scenes to ensure that the Legislature operates effectively.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the Table Research Office team. I couldn’t have asked for a better placement experience.