First-Ever CMU Manitoba Legislative Intern Feels Prepared For Political Work

Julia Wiebe One Of Six Manitobans Accepted Into Program

The first-ever CMU student to be accepted into the Manitoba Legislature internship program says the university prepared her well for the cut and thrust of political life.

Julia Wiebe

“I feel that I am equipped to provide a voice that has the potential to question the status quo when necessary,” says Julia Wiebe, a Political Studies major. “We must not silence the voices, needs and concerns of the marginalized and disenfranchised in society.”

Wiebe, who attends St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, is just one of six Manitoba university students accepted into the program.

As an intern Wiebe will gain first-hand experience in the legislative process, and work with Members of the Legislative Assembly and their caucuses in policy research. Other tasks include writing questions for Question Period and handling constituency matters. She will also travel with other interns on sponsored trips to Ottawa and the U.S. to observe the political process.

“CMU is very proud of Julia being accepted into the Internship Program,” says Harry Huebner, CMU’s Interim Academic Dean. “Her acceptance is a tribute to her hard work at CMU, and also to the hard work of our faculty members in developing Political Studies and other departments within our Social Sciences major.”

“CMU students can compete with the best from anywhere,” he adds.

For Wiebe, who graduates this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree, studies at CMU have taught her “there is always room for creative dissent. Not only is conflict not a negative thing, it is necessary and indeed vital to a healthy community that truly values diversity.”

The Manitoba Legislative internship program was established in 1985 by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. The goal of the ten-month program is to provide Manitoba university graduates with an opportunity to experience the legislative process and participate in all aspects of the governmental process; provide MLAs with competent and educated assistance in policy research and constituency work; and develop a group of young Manitobans who understand the cabinet-parliamentary system and the role of elected representatives within it. Only six students are accepted in the program each year.

Posted March 18, 2008.

For more information contact the CMU Communications Director, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2N2, telephone: 204-487-3300 ext. 630, fax: 204-889-1694,(www.cmu.ca)