We are currently accepting applications for this program!
Please read through this page and find the link to apply below. Applicants have until
January 31st, 2025, to complete their application.
Program Highlights
B.C. Legislative Interns gain experience in our parliamentary system and contribute directly to the work of the executive and legislative branches of government.
- Learn about the mandate and scope of a ministry, conduct research in policy and planning areas and even assist with projects related to legislation.
- Provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with assistance during the parliamentary session. This may include writing speeches and private members' statements, assisting with the estimates process and drafting questions for Question Period.
- Gain exposure to public-policy making and legislative process.
- Attend Question Period and parliamentary committee meetings.
- As a cohort, meet with Cabinet Ministers, private members, permanent officers of the Legislative Assembly, statutory officers, members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, senior public servants, academics and stakeholders.
- Acquire practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in future work and educational settings.
- Contribute to greater public understanding of our parliamentary system.
Alumni Testimonials
Meeting people with diverse personalities and skill sets encouraged me to aim high and be open to all the opportunities in the public service. When I think about the purpose of the BCLIP, it’s about instilling in young people a desire and ability to serve and uphold our democratic institutions. ~ 2020 Intern
This internship provided fantastic insight into how both the executive and legislative branches of government function behind closed doors. ~ 2018 Intern
“The BCLIP not only provided an enjoyable, enriching six-month experience, but also continues to affect me years later. My work benefits from the skills I developed during my ministry and caucus placements — working under tight timelines, being adaptable, and remaining non-partisan. ~ 2014 Intern
About the Program
History
The B.C. Legislative Internship Program celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2021. When it was established in 1976, this non-partisan program was modelled on the federal Parliamentary Internship Programme introduced in the Canadian House of Commons in 1969. Faculty members of the then three major universities in British Columbia initiated the program. Today, the program is advised by Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Victoria.
Program Components
The program begins in early-January each year and runs for approximately six months (25 weeks) until the end of June. A typical program year features the following training, educational and work opportunities. The timing and length of various program components can vary somewhat year-to-year.
- Two weeks of intensive orientation and training – one in January and one in February.
- A four-week placement in a ministry or statutory office under the direction of an assigned mentor. All placements are based in Victoria.
- A placement in a political party caucus at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. This placement typically aligns with the Legislative Assembly’s spring session dates.
- A one-week placement in an MLA’s constituency office.
- Academic and topical seminars and bi-weekly debrief meetings.
- In-person or virtual educational exchanges with other internships programs, including the Washington State Legislative Internship Program and the federal Parliamentary Internship Programme.
- A range of educational and leadership opportunities, including Model Parliament and Mock Trial exercises, K-12 student engagement projects, an optional research paper or Canadian Parliamentary Review submission, and the publication of the intern newsletter – the B.C. Legislative Internship Gazette.
Working at the Legislative Assembly
As a Legislative Assembly Administration, we provide essential services and infrastructure vital to an accessible democratic institution. As a non-partisan organization, we work in a variety of roles and environments to provide services and infrastructure which support the Legislative Assembly of B.C. and its Members.
- The Legislative Assembly is an autonomous employer, separate from the administrative framework of B.C. government ministries and agencies.
- We employ regular and auxiliary employees in a variety of roles, including administrative, management, operational, outreach, professional and research services. Auxiliary employees are employed to accommodate fluctuations in the workload of the Assembly, such as when the Legislature is in session and when parliamentary committees are meeting in Victoria or in communities throughout the province.
Application Process
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a B.C. resident;
- hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status; and,
- have completed or be in the process of completing a first Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a Canadian university (all degree requirements must have been completed within the immediate two-year period prior to the start of the program in January).
Equity, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion
The B.C. Legislative Internship Program is committed to supporting equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion. We encourage applications from diverse equity-deserving groups including (but not limited to):
- 2SLGTBQQIA+
- Indigenous Identity;
- Person(s) Living with a Disabilitiy (including disorders, syndromes, injuries, etc.);
- Visible Minority
- Women
Who We Are
At the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, we are a dedicated, multi-faceted organization that pursues goals in a dynamic and progressive work environment:
- Impartiality - We are non-partisan and objective in the performance of our duties.
- Integrity - We build trust through responsible actions and respectful relationships.
- Openness - We provide a welcoming environment and promote public access and engagement.
- Stewardship - We ensure institutional continuity and renewal.
Application Period
- Review the Job Description.
- Complete and submit the online Application Form, including the upload of a personal resume.
- Arrange for an official sealed transcript to be sent directly to the B.C. Legislative Internship Program from each university and/or college from which credit was granted toward your first degree.
- Arrange for two (2) academic referees to complete and submit the online Academic Reference Form.
- Arrange for one (1) work or volunteer referee to complete and submit the online Work/Volunteer Reference Form.
Mailing and email address for official sealed transcript(s):
B.C. Legislative Internship Program, Legislative Assembly of B.C., Room 104, 614 Government St., Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4
Some universities and colleges only send electronic transcripts; if that is the case at your institution, please have the Registrar's Office send a secure or encrypted electronic transcript file or link by email to bclip@leg.bc.ca.
Program Administration
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is an honorary patron of the B.C. Legislative Internship Program. The program is administered by the Parliamentary Education Office.
Karen L. Aitken
Program Director
Parliamentary Education Office
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Email: bclip@leg.bc.ca
Dr. Gerald Baier
Academic Director
Department of Political Science
University of British Columbia
Email: gerald.baier@ubc.ca
Emma Curtis
Program Manager
Parliamentary Education Office
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Email: bclip@leg.bc.ca
Current members of the B.C. Legislative Internship Program Steering Committee:
Dr. Justin Leifso
Department of Political Science
University of Victoria
Email: leifso@uvic.ca
Dr. Gary Wilson
Department of Political Science
University of Northern British Columbia
Email: gary.wilson@unbc.ca
Dr. Sanjay Jeram
Department of Political Science
Simon Fraser University
Email: sjeram@sfu.ca
Arrangements may be made to obtain credit towards a Master of Arts Degree in political science at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Victoria. To be eligible for credit, candidates must have made all necessary arrangements with the Graduate Student Advisor of the political science department involved, and must have been accepted for degree candidacy by the relevant graduate school prior to commencing their internship.
Alumni Corner
Alumni of the program have established themselves in a variety of professions including politics, law, academia, journalism and the public service.
The B.C. Legislative Internship Program Alumni Association was formed following the 40th anniversary. Events are planned throughout the year, and there are several ways to stay connected:
- Email: bclipaa@gmail.com
- Facebook: BCLIP Alumni Association group
The 45th anniversary of the program was celebrated in November 2021.
The latest edition of the program newsletter — the B.C. Legislative Internship Gazette — is now available. Copies were emailed to all alumni. If you did not receive your copy or if you would like to receive a physical copy, please contact the program by email at bclip@leg.bc.ca.
