Internship application season is upon us, with deadlines for both federal and provincial programs fast approaching. Last week we told you about two excellent opportunities for young Canadians to gain hands-on experience in Canadian politics:

The Parliamentary Internship Program is a 10-month program that Samara staffer and former program participant Jane Hilderman described as “one of the most intense immersions into Canadian political life available for Canadian youth.” The second, the Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship, is a newer program with quite a special history. It runs from May to September.

There are also several opportunities for university students and/or recent grads to gain experience at the provincial level. The following is a list of provincial legislature internship programs currently accepting applications for 2013, including a brief description from the website of each.

The Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (February 28th application deadline)
"The Programme is designed to provide backbench Members of the Legislative Assembly with highly qualified assistants. At the same time, by giving Interns practical experience in the day to day work of the Legislature, it provides them with the opportunity to supplement their academic training through regular academic discussions and the writing of an academic paper on a topic of their choice. Interns also have the opportunity to visit other legislatures to ensure a comprehensive knowledge of the legislative process.”

Manitoba Legislative Internship Program (February 14th application deadline)
"The program provides graduates of Manitoba's universities or graduates of other universities who are permanent residents of Manitoba with an opportunity to experience firsthand the legislative process within the Manitoba Legislature.  In addition to being directly involved with the legislative process, the Interns participate in a series of seminars dealing with all aspects of the governmental process...The program also provides MLAs of the recognized political parties represented in the Assembly with competent and educated assistance in policy research and constituency work.  It enables them to delegate some constituency and other matters to Interns and frees them to deal more effectively with the specialized and complicated legislative issues."

B.C. Legislative Internship Program (January 31st application deadline)
"The program offers an opportunity to Canadian university undergraduates to supplement their academic training by observing the daily workings of the Legislature first hand, and to provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with additional assistance during the parliamentary session. The ministry and caucus assignments are designed to provide exposure to public policy-making and legislative processes. Interns will acquire skills and knowledge they can apply in their chosen careers and future life experiences. In the long term, it is expected that Interns will contribute to a greater public understanding and appreciation of our system of parliamentary government."

Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program (March 30th application deadline)
"The Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program (SLIP) provides four university students with a unique educational experience each year. The seven-month program will give participants the opportunity to use their theoretical knowledge of government and parliament in a practical setting. They will get first-hand experience with the day-to-day work of elected representatives from both the government and opposition sides of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. The Internship focuses on the role of the private member. It provides interns with a perspective of our legislators as representatives of their constituents and as law-makers within our parliamentary system of government.  It also creates a new and desirable service for legislators by providing them with highly qualified and enthusiastic assistants."

Programme de Stage, Fondation Jean-Charles-Bonenfant (Assemblée Nationale du Québec)  (date limite pour candidatures: 15 février)
Chaque année, la Fondation offre à des étudiants ou jeunes diplômés cinq stages pratiques de dix mois à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, assortis de bourses d’excellence d’une valeur de 21 000 $ chacune. Durant dix mois, les boursiers plongent au cœur de l’activité parlementaire. Grâce à des rencontres, des visites et des séances de formation, ils découvrent les coulisses de l’Assemblée nationale en observateurs privilégiés. Comme stagiaires, ils ont aussi la chance d’approfondir un sujet de leur choix en rédigeant un essai tout en bénéficiant des ressources documentaires et professionnelles de l’Assemblée nationale.