PROGRAM SPONSOR Hon. Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

1. PROGRAM SPONSOR Hon. Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia PROGRAM DIRECTOR Karen L. Aitken Legislative Assembly of B.C. BCLIP@leg.bc.ca ACADEMIC DIRECTOR Dr. Patrick J. Smith Simon Fraser University psmith.sfu@gmail.com www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

2. What is the British Columbia Legislative Internship Program (BCLIP)? • 6 month educational /work experience program • Offered through the Legislative Assembly of BC • January – June each year • Long-standing program – started in 1976 – excellent reputation www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

3. What is the purpose/objective of the BCLIP? • To offer recent Canadian university graduates the opportunity to: • • become familiar with administrative processes at the provincial level, including both executive and legislative branches of government; • • acquire an understanding of the processes of modern government, and an appreciation of the norms, practices and roles of the British Columbia public service; and, • • experience first-hand the work of both caucus and constituency offices. www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

4. What do you do as an Intern? • • Research and assistance in preparation of briefing materials and policy papers • • Assistance in the planning and organization of projects, conferences and symposiums • • Participation in meetings, both internal and external • • Research, write and deliver speech notes, press releases, or articles for newsletters • • Interview MLAs for constituency reports as well as community and constituency profiles, including updating MLA biographies • • Production of information, education materials and brochures www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

5. What do you do as an Intern? (cont.) • • Job Shadow MLAs and various officials to get an understanding of responsibilities • • Research and assistance in preparation for Estimates, including monitoring and writing questions for Estimates debates • • Research and writing questions and background information for Question Period as well as Question Period tracking • • Research and writing Private Members’ Statements, Written Questions, Motions and Prayers • Act as hosts to visiting Internship Programs www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

6. What do you do as an Intern? (cont.) • • Review and analysis of draft policies, legislation, regulations and amendments • • Bill tracking and assistance in the preparation of session-end document to summarize legislation • • Media monitoring including searches, issue and document summaries • • Briefing MLAs with community news, providing supportive facts and figures www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

7. What are the benefits of being a Legislative Intern? • • First hand behind-the-scenes opportunity to work in a Ministry and the Parliament Buildings • • Educational seminars and presentations throughout the program • • Many opportunities to meet with B.C’s leaders • • If arranged in advance, the internship program is accepted as Master’s credit at several universities • • Amazing opportunity to network, make professional contacts and launch a career or further post-secondary • • Well paid internship – just over $22,900 for 6 months www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

8. Who is eligible to apply and when? • • Must be a recent Canadian university graduate (within 2 years of start date of program) • • Must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant • • Application deadline is January 31st each year for the following year www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

9. How do I apply? • • Applications are online at www.leg.bc.ca/bclip for the BC Legislative Internship Program • • Must have 2 Academic References completed online • • Must have 1 work/volunteer reference completed online • • Must complete a 1 pager on why you want to be a legislative intern • • Must arrange for official sealed transcripts to be sent to the Parliamentary Education Office • • All application components must be received by January 31st www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

10. What is the selection process? • • All completed applications are reviewed by the Academic Director and Program Director to determine interviewees • • 20 candidates are chosen for an interview in March • • Successful candidates will be offered a letter of placement in the program shortly after the interviews www.leg.bc.ca/bclip

11. When is the 2015 Application Intake Period? • • Applications are available online now until January 31st, 2014 • • All required documentation must be received by the deadline date for eligibility • Best Wishes and we hope you will • consider applying for 2015! www.leg.bc.ca/bclip