Parliamentary Information and Research Service
Internship Program
Frequently Asked Questions for the Parliamentary Internship Program
| QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
|---|---|
| If I apply late (after the posted closing date), will my application be considered? | No. We receive dozens of applications each year and must stick to a tight timeframe in order to be as fair as possible to students who might be considering other opportunities. |
| If I apply by the deadline but my file is incomplete, and I send in the missing material after the deadline, will my application be considered? | No. Students take a great deal of time and care in preparing their applications. We will only consider complete applications. |
| I need to send my transcript/reference letter via fax and separately from my application package before the deadline-is that okay? | Yes. You can fax your documents to 613-995-9582 to the attention of Isabelle McLinton. |
| When will a decision be made? | Normally phone interviews are held in early March and we will notify you soon thereafter. |
| Will I be contacted if I don’t receive an interview? | No. Only candidates who are chosen for an interview will be contacted. |
| Will I be notified if I had an interview but was unsuccessful? | Yes. All those interviewed will receive notification one way or the other by mail. |
| Does the Library pay for me to move my personal items to Ottawa? | No. It is not the Library’s policy to do so for term employees (students, guides, interns, etc.). |
| Does the Library provide and pay for my accommodation during the internship? | No. It is the responsibility of the intern to find and pay for his or her own accommodation while in Ottawa. |
| Will the Library pay for my travel costs to Ottawa, not including the moving cost of my personal items? | Yes. The Library will pay the most economical mode of transportation for the intern. For example, if you live in Toronto, the most economical mode of transportation is the bus. If you choose to take the plane, which costs more, the Library will only reimburse the amount of a bus ticket. You are responsible for choosing your mode of transportation, be it plane, train or bus, and arranging all travel times. Please keep all your travel receipts; they will be needed for reimbursement. Travel arrangements are to be approved by Library HR staff before your travel has taken place. |
| What type of work would I be called upon to do? | When you arrive, you will be assigned to one of four divisions within the Parliamentary Research Branch. The work will involve either doing research under the supervision of a senior researcher, drafting answers to queries from parliamentarians, or helping with research for a parliamentary committee. |
| What is the language of work? | The Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Information and Research Service are both required to serve parliamentarians in the official language of their choice. If your fluency in one of the official languages is not up to the task, you will have access to interpretation and translation services. |
| What is the schedule like? | From September to June the normal working week is 35 hours. |
| What is the work environment like? | The staff of the Parliamentary Information and Research Service work in the Promenade Building on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa. You will have access to an enclosed office, a computer with high-speed internet access; a telephone and full access to the extensive research resources of the Library of Parliament. |
| How are the successful applicants chosen? | We
look first at their academic record and the profile of their studies.
We also want to find people who show an interest in public policy at the
federal level. Insofar as possible, we try to have appropriate regional representation. We also give preference to bilingual applicants, although the interns do not have to be bilingual. |
