U of S political studies student selected for Parliament Hill internship

By Shannon Boklaschuk

A University of Saskatchewan student is “thrilled” to spend his summer on Parliament Hill, where he will have the opportunity to work in the office of a federal Member of Parliament.

Christian Pollock, a fourth-year political studies student in the College of Arts & Science, recently received the news that he is one of the three Canadian students chosen for the 2018 Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship, which runs from May through August.

“I was thrilled when I found out I was selected as a Jaimie Anderson intern,” said Pollock.

“I tried to keep my expectations low leading up to the announcement so I wouldn’t be disappointed. So when I found out I had been selected, it felt surreal. It still does, really. Like a lot of students in my program, I thought it would be very cool to work in the midst of it all on Parliament Hill, but I certainly didn’t think I’d get the chance as an undergraduate. I had my doubts, given how accomplished the previous interns seemed to be.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to fully appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given until I get there,” he added.

After looking through past interns’ backgrounds, Pollock said it appears he is the first student to come from a university west of Ontario since the internship began in 2011. While he doesn’t know exactly what his internship duties will be, he expects that constituency case work, policy research, writing and general office support will be among his likely assignments.

“Based on my limited knowledge of work on Parliament Hill, I imagine a lot of my duties will be assigned to me on the fly. I’ve heard it’s a pretty fast-paced environment over there,” said Pollock, noting he “can only imagine” all of the “invaluable things” he will get out of the experience.

“I do know that the internship organizes meetings and discussions between the three interns and members of the media, government and business. I'm very excited for that portion,” he said.

“I do hope to learn more about Canadian political institutions, of course. I think it’s important to understand how they function in order to more effectively try and improve them. That’s the ultimate goal: to use this experience to better equip myself so I can play a part—even if it’s a small one—in improving the lives of people, whether it be here in Treaty 6 or elsewhere.” 

Professor Loleen Berdahl, head of the College of Arts & Science’s Department of Political Studies, said it is “really exciting” to have a student from the U of S selected for the internship. She noted Pollock is an individual who has made a point to go beyond classroom learning by becoming actively engaged on campus and in the community. For example, he has participated in the Political Studies Students’ Association and has worked at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre.

“My hope is other students will see what Christian’s doing and it inspires them to do it, too,” Berdahl said.

The Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship was created to honour Jaimie Anderson, who worked on Parliament Hill. She died at the age of 23 as a result of neuro-endocrine cancer.

The internship has three goals: to create positive experiences for young people in national politics; to encourage fellowship among those involved in Canadian politics; and to raise the visibility of people who are working to make political life better. Interns receive a stipend of $2,500 per month.

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