Hon. F. Gigi Osler: Honourable senators, today I am proud to welcome six members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Internship Program to the Senate. These inspiring young interns are Alina Hart, Bea Basaran, Tayla Gudnason, Cheta Akaluka, Dane Monkman and Hannah Drudge. Accompanying them is Academic Director, Professor Kelly Saunders.

The Manitoba Legislative Assembly Internship Program was established in 1985 by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and is intended to serve three broad purposes.

First, the program provides graduates of Manitoba’s universities, or graduates of other universities who are lucky enough to be permanent residents of Manitoba, an opportunity to experience the legislative process. Interns are assigned to work with government and opposition caucuses where they perform a variety of tasks. In addition to being directly involved with the legislative process, the interns participate in a series of seminars designed to enhance their knowledge of government operations, the economy, media, journalism and the not-for-profit sector in Manitoba.

Second, the program provides MLAs with competent and educated assistance in policy research and constituency matters. The program enables MLAs to delegate some of the work to the interns, which then allows them to deal more efficiently with specialized legislative issues.

Finally, a long-term goal of the program is to develop a group of young Manitobans who understand the parliamentary system and the role of elected representatives. By fostering a knowledge of, and an appreciation for, our political system, the program brings value to both the province and to these future leaders.

Each cohort of interns can decide on a study trip to Westminster or a study visit to two Canadian jurisdictions. This year they chose Ottawa. The purpose of the visit is to familiarize the interns with the parliamentary process at the federal, provincial and/or territorial level. The visit consists of an intense program of seminars, meetings and tours with leading government and political figures, parliamentary and legislative officials, journalists, academics, community organizations and with parliamentary or other legislative interns.

With them here today are Madeleine Martin and Sarah Rollason-MacAulay, who are both interns from the Parliamentary Internship Programme here in Ottawa. I am particularly delighted to welcome Sarah, as she is from Winnipeg and I first met her years ago through her remarkable family.

The interns all shared with us how the program is an invaluable learning experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Honourable colleagues, please join me in welcoming them to the Senate of Canada. Thank you, meegwetch.