1st MPP Placement: Shakthi and MPP Adil Shamji

Over the course of this winter, I had the privilege of completing my first legislative placement with Dr. Adil Shamji, Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East, Chief Whip for the Liberal Party, as well as the Critic for Housing; Indigenous Affairs; and Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Public Health. Prior to entering the political sphere, Dr. Shamji specialized in family medicine and worked as an emergency physician across Northern Ontario, the Northwest Territories, and the Canadian Arctic – rich experiences that continue to inform his role in Parliament.

I was drawn to this office primarily for the opportunity to work on timely, wide-ranging portfolios, including primary care investments and the intergenerational, socioeconomic implications of Ontario's housing strategies. Through consulting various databases and sources, I addressed these matters and supported Dr. Shamji by preparing press releases and speeches that proposed solutions, as well as researching historic and contemporary legislation.

Under the mentorship of a physician, I also internalized a core philosophy – “all policy is health policy.” I refined my existing knowledge of healthcare laws and statutes through the nuanced perspectives, academic medical journals, and national conference lectures he shared, all of which I applied when analyzing data and creating materials for Committee meetings, Estimates sessions, and Question Period. The depth of knowledge I acquired further supported my contributions to stakeholder meetings and events. Altogether, Dr. Shamji's approach to my placement, which encompassed a curriculum, theoretical texts, as well as on-the-ground practical experiences, enabled me to broaden my understanding of policy and politics on a multi-tier scale.

My time at the constituency office also provided insightful perspectives into the lives of Don Valley East residents. From the Ontario Science Centre to upcoming LRT projects, I learned about the various priorities of constituents, as well as legislative and journalistic methodologies to raise these concerns to parliamentary attention, including interviews with CBC and Global News, in-person and letter-format systems, and community events. The team environment in the constituency office was open and engaging, and I felt I lacked no degree of opportunity, as I took part in different creative, research, and outreach projects.

Dr. Shamji's ambitious and inspirational outlook to endeavours continuously drove me to new heights over the course of my placement. I appreciated the pool of assignments I was able to undertake, from drafting debate remarks to creating a podcast, and all the while developing skills in political acumen, policy coordination, and legislative knowledge.

Through attending the Local Matters Tour in Sudbury, I had the opportunity to discuss the various priorities of northern Ontarians, including mining projects, regional healthcare systems, and Indigenous programmes. Perhaps the highlight of the tour was visiting SNOLAB 2 km beneath the surface – a uniquely exclusive opportunity (especially for an avid mathematician) to learn about Nobel prize-winning research into astrophysics.

My time in this office curated an incredibly nuanced, informative experience. Concluding this piece, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Shamji for annually supporting the programme with his mentorship, and the generous guidance he enveloped my time in his office with. I would also like to thank Aidan, Katrina, and all the staff at the Don Valley East Constituency Office; Andres, Hamish, Rukaiya, and Taryn, for their joyous spirit and the unique learning opportunities they shared. I am very appreciative of the broad breadth of work I was able to engage in, and believe that my experiences throughout this placement have prepared me to pursue a confident career in government and beyond!