New brand of politics
Matthew Chisholm, acting as the ‘Minister of Health’, addresses ‘members of Parliament’ in the Senate chambers on their final day of the Institute of Future Legislators at Ryerson program. Photo credit: John Beebe.
A legislative usher. A Ryerson philosophy student. A community organizer and activist. An executive. A nursing graduate. Over three weekends in May and June, more than 30 participants from all walks of life brought their passion for political change to the fore in the inaugural Institute for Future Legislators at Ryerson. The program was run by Ryerson’s Faculty of Arts in collaboration with University of British Columbia’s Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions.
Students spent two intense weekends at Ryerson honing their political skills and learning from notable practitioners with decades of political experience as well as in-depth knowledge of the media landscape. Instructors included Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman elected to Parliament and Ryerson honorary degree recipient; former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne; and Martin Regg Cohn, a distinguished visiting professor and Toronto Star political columnist.
The participants learned how to build better relationships with constituents, how to be an effective communicator and how to engage in a lively debate during Question Period – all aspects of being a skilled legislator. They then put their knowledge to the test by holding a live mock simulation of a parliamentary session in the Parliament’s Senate chambers during their third and final session.
How do you know when you are ready to run for office? Former Premier of Ontario @Kathleen_Wynne remembers what spurred her on at the Institute for Future Legislators @RyersonU. https://t.co/LqnbWhHF8I #onpoli #IFLRU pic.twitter.com/R0gEJKMit5
— Pamela Sugiman (@PamSugiman) 18 June 2019
Fabulous meeting with next generation of politicians at #IFLRU Institute for Future Legislators @RyersonU. Lots of shared brainwaves, repurposed in this column ICYMI: https://t.co/YNFQMDwNKj @RUFacultyofArts #onpoli #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/JuhFFoJWFX
— Martin Regg Cohn (@reggcohn) 20 June 2019
"Standing O" for powerful speech on the importance of affordable higher education on the first day of the Institute for Future Legislators at Ryerson #IFLRU @RUFacultyofArts @UBCDemocracy @RyeSU pic.twitter.com/froOnQlS73
— Democratic Engagement Exchange - Ryerson U (@RUEngageX) 22 June 2019
Being a legislator also means interacting with the media. #IFLRU participants are now experiencing what it's like to be part of a media scrum. pic.twitter.com/opSkQfTpz9
— Pamela Sugiman (@PamSugiman) 23 June 2019
Incredibly honoured to be in the Senate Chamber for the last day of simulation! #IFLRU pic.twitter.com/xOXB1w57S5
— Laila Hawrylyshyn (@LHawrylyshyn) 23 June 2019
Thanks to @SenateCA for hosting the #IFLRU you have a beautiful space and wonderful staff. @RUFacultyofArts @UBCDemocracy pic.twitter.com/szWm1JLiJz
— Democratic Engagement Exchange - Ryerson U (@RUEngageX) 23 June 2019
Leader of Opposition is ready for Question Period. #IFLRU pic.twitter.com/GWdLxZtWN3
— Kojo Easy Damptey (@EasyThePianoMan) 23 June 2019
I extend my thanks to today's #IFLRU panelists, @pejthomas, @JenniferRobson8, @jeff_d_morrison, and Rachel Gouin. A great conversation that reminded us that the only way to fail in advocacy is to not participate. pic.twitter.com/rbafQ99BZw
— Pamela Sugiman (@PamSugiman) 22 June 2019
If this is our future Parliament, than the future is looking very bright. Thks to inspiring participants and practitioners who made the Institute for Future Legislators at Ryerson possible. @Kathleen_Wynne @MichaelChongMP @peggynash @spaikin @reggcohn @BobRae48 @MatthewGreenNDP pic.twitter.com/ntHsLWLqaX
— Democratic Engagement Exchange - Ryerson U (@RUEngageX) 24 June 2019