Application Process:
We are looking for young leaders from coast to coast to coast to become the next generation of leaders with our Liberal government. If you are a politically engaged youth who is involved in your local riding or community and eligible to work in Canada, apply to join our team for the summer!
To be eligible for the Summer Leadership Program, all applicants must be residing in Canada with a valid Canadian address and be able to work full-time in Canada. International students and residents who live and study in Canada and have a valid work permit with the ability to work full-time in Canada can apply for the Summer Leadership Program.
It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure they have a valid work permit prior to the commencement of the Summer Leadership Program that allows them to work full-time hours.
No! We are looking for young Canadians with diverse backgrounds and experiences – that includes your education! You must, however, be able to start the Program full-time as of May 6, 2024.
Last year, most Summer Leadership Program participants were between 18 and 26-years-old. We encourage any and all talented future leaders to apply to the Summer Leadership Program. All applications will be reviewed, as long as a potential applicant is able to start the Program full-time as of May 6, 2024.
We have a multifaceted application process to get to know you as a candidate. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit your updated resume and two references as well as let us know about your top skills and any volunteer, professional and political experience that you may have. Your application will be connected to relevant offices, who will be responsible for interviewing and hiring you directly. We are committed to selecting a diverse cohort of participants that is representative of our open and inclusive society.
We ask that you submit your permanent home address. That is your family home or permanent place of residence. For example: if you are from Calgary and you attend school in Saskatoon but you would be returning home for the summer, your permanent address is in Calgary. You will have the opportunity to highlight other ridings to which you have a personal connection as part of your application.
Yes! The Summer Leadership Program is extremely competitive, so we encourage you to re-apply if you weren’t successful last year. We would advise you to highlight your volunteer contributions, political experiences and accomplishments you have achieved since you last applied
There are many people in your life who would be valuable references to include with your application. References should be individuals who can speak positively about your skills and achievements. Your references can include, but are not limited to: current and/or past employers, managers, co-workers, leaders of non-partisan, volunteer, or non-profit organizations, professors, and/or Members of Parliament. Your references are not required to provide a letter; however, all references will be checked. Ensure that you include current contact information for each of your references.
Program Details:
The 2024 Program begins on Monday, May 6th and concludes on Friday, August 23rd. The internship is 16 weeks in length. This is a full-time position; you must be available to start on May 6th and be available for the entire duration of the program based on the selection of your placement. Successful candidates will receive a letter of offer from the individual office hiring them. More details about your placement will be provided to you in your letter of offer.
Internship placements in the Summer Leadership Program are highly competitive. We take the time to review and evaluate each and every application in order to choose from many highly qualified candidates and ensure the best internship experience for all selected participants. We do our best to notify all applicants in a timely fashion of their application status in the program. Only successful candidates will be contacted. We wish you the best of luck with your application!
This is a full-time, paid position.
For 2024, SLP will be returning to being a primarily in-person experience. This year, participants must be in Ottawa for the first 8 weeks of the program (May 6 – June 28). The second half of the program (July 2 – August 23) will have different options for virtual, in-person, or hybrid experience, depending on the office and position. Be sure to clarify this with your supervisor so you can arrange travel and accommodations to fit your specific situation.
It is the responsibility of the participant to find, book, and finance their own travel and accommodations for the duration of the program. We will assist in connecting participants with affordable options; however, the onus is still on each participant to arrange a housing and travel situation that fits their needs.
Each SLP placement carries a variety of responsibilities, which could include researching, writing, attending, and reporting on Parliamentary and Government proceedings. Furthermore, SLP Participants may be responsible for general administration tasks, database management, reviewing and responding to correspondence, coordinating meetings, engaging with various community groups or stakeholders, staffing Members of Parliament, and much more. We are committed to providing SLP participants with meaningful work and learning experiences where they will be able to learn, grow, and connect with other emerging young leaders who are passionate about promoting the Liberal government’s plan, values and principles.
It may be possible to get academic credit for your internship, but not from the Liberal Research Bureau, Parliament of Canada, or Government of Canada. Only academic departments can offer credit, and policies differ from one department to the next. Often your internship must relate directly to your major area of study, which this internship may or may not do. If you are seeking to obtain an academic credit from your SLP internship, we urge you to obtain approval from your academic institution prior to submitting your application.
Communication and Expectations:
While we strive to have fun and make the Summer Leadership Program enjoyable, a level of decorum and professionalism is expected. Program participants will receive more information clearly outlining the values we will be upholding for both behaviour and professional performance. Your participation in the Program may be terminated if you do not meet the expected standards or code of conduct outlined by the Program Coordinators and your supervisor.
The Summer Leadership Program is a comprehensive and intensive experience. Participants will be placed in full-time positions in Ottawa for the first 8 weeks of the program (May 6 – June 28) and virtually, in-person or remotely for the second half of the program (July 2 – August 23). In addition to this, Program participants can expect frequent training sessions and workshops, events with guest speakers, and networking opportunities. Whether in-person or virtually, the best way to get the most out of an internship is to be completely engaged in all Program activities.
Participants are expected to attend all official events as a part of the Summer Leadership Program. This includes all training and workshops, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. Our team puts a lot of effort into planning the SLP curriculum and it is expected that all Participants will be respectful and maintain professionalism by attending scheduled programming. Training events may be held outside of work hours to best accommodate the requirements of the office you are working with and your learning experience.
In a remote internship setting, typically communication will be through various means including emails, video calls, phone conversations, or text messaging. Participants should actively seek advice and feedback in their work and are encouraged to ask questions, while regularly checking in with their team. We encourage you to clarify any questions related to your internship setting as part of the interview and hiring process with your supervisor.
You can reach the Summer Leadership Program team at infolib@parl.gc.ca. Please note that while we strive to answer all questions, we receive a large volume of emails. As required, we will be updating the FAQ section of this website to reflect new frequently asked questions that come in. Please review this section completely.