PARLIAMENTARY INTERNSHIP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
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Since 2018, the Parliamentary Internship for the Environment (PIE) program has sought to equip the next generation of environmental leaders with invaluable skills, experience, and political know-how to drive change.
About the Internship
Now in its sixth year, the PIE program offers outstanding young leaders, aged 18-30, the opportunity to work and learn alongside some of Canada's top environmental champions in Parliament. Successful applicants to the program receive a ten-month, paid internship placement in the Parliament Hill office of a Member of Parliament (MP) or Senator with a proven record of environmental leadership. Host MPs come from every major national party.
Through PIE, Interns gain a deep understanding of the day-to-day workings of Canadian Parliament. In the full-time office placements, Interns become well-versed in legislative affairs, policy research, and constituency work while supporting current environmental change-makers of all political stripes. Most interns perform a variety of tasks in their offices.
Outside the office, Interns take part in a range of professional and leadership development programming, including interjurisdictional travel, workshops, seminars, and fireside chats with expert speakers from the nonprofit sector, industry, and government.
The Parliamentary Internship for the Environment program runs from September 2023 to June 2024. Interns receive a monthly stipend of $2,750, for a total of $27,500 over the 10 months of the program. Interns can expect to work full-time hours (35-40 hours) weekly.
Specialized Streams
There are two Specialized Streams of the program.
The Specialized Stream for Indigenous Interns welcomes young First Nation, Métis, and Inuit leaders from coast to coast to coast to apply. This stream is being introduced to continue the difficult work of breaking down the systemic barriers Indigenous individuals face in Parliament Hill and support the development of Indigenous-led policy. The features of this stream were designed in collaboration with an Indigenous-led consultant, including the wraparound supports to ensure participants can thrive and succeed.
The Specialized Stream in Sustainable Agriculture invites young leaders from the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) with an interest and background in agriculture to apply. We piloted interest in a sustainable agriculture stream in the 2020-2021 program year, with tremendous results. This stream will continue to advance environmental leadership in agriculture and elevate rural voices in Canada’s environmental space.
Going Forward
In Fall 2023, Environmental Leadership Canada, a registered Canadian charity, took over delivery of the Parliamentary Internship for the Environment program. GreenPAC will continue to support ELC with the expertise, resources, and foundation that we’ve built in founding PIE. For the most up-to-date information about the program, check out ELC's website.