Interim Placements: James & Elections Ontario

During the election period, I had the privilege to be placed at Elections Ontario – an opportune time to learn about the ins and outs of our democratic process.  

I joined the compliance team that is responsible for ensuring the Elections Act and the Elections Finance Act are complied with by all parties, candidates, riding associations, stakeholders, and more. In my role, I completed several decision notes on party name reservations. For anyone who wants to start a new party in Ontario, they must first reserve a party name. My responsibility was to research the submitted party name and present my findings in a brief decision note. Not only did it allow me to familiarize myself with the details of the Acts governing Ontario elections but also it enabled me to hone my research and communication skills.  

The most memorable day during my placement was the night of the elections. I volunteered to work as a results chaser, ensuring that the staff in each electoral district is on call to report results as soon as they are in. It was a great experience being able to directly contribute to the elections. I want to thank all the election staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work.  

The people I met at Elections Ontario including my colleagues and supervisors have been so kind and generous. I would like to thank Maria Martins and Josephine for supervising and mentoring me. I also want to give a special shoutout to Maria Flores, Noor, and Lin for welcoming me to the compliance team with open arms. I’m truly grateful for everyone I met during my short time at Elections Ontario.