Kewan's Legislative Placement with the LPS

As part of my placement with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Legislative Protective Service (LPS), a division that plays a vital role in safeguarding the Assembly’s people, spaces, and democratic processes. While LPS is best known for its operational and security functions, I’ve had the unique opportunity to contribute to its policy development work, which is just as critical to its mission.

One of my first assignments was helping develop a redaction policy for LPS incident reports. These reports often contain sensitive information, and the challenge lies in ensuring that redactions are made in accordance with privacy legislation while still upholding the public’s right to access information in the interest of transparency and accountability.

This project taught me how to interpret legislation in a practical context, and how policy can serve as a bridge between legal compliance and public trust. I learned to think critically about what should be disclosed, what must be protected, and how to build a framework that supports both.

In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming public institutions, I was tasked with drafting an AI policy brief for LPS. The goal was to establish guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of fairness, privacy, or accountability.

This brief explored key principles such as transparency, human oversight, and risk mitigation, and proposed a roadmap for integrating AI in a way that aligns with LPS’s values and operational needs. It was a powerful exercise in forward-looking policy thinking, and it deepened my appreciation for the ethical dimensions of technology in public service.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of my placement was being entrusted to lead a policy brief on information management best practices in constituency offices. This project required me to conduct interviews with subject matter experts from LPS, Information Management Services, and IT — each offering unique insights into how data is stored, accessed, and protected across the Assembly.

Through these interviews, I honed my ability to formulate targeted questions that draw out the information needed to build a strong, evidence-based policy. I learned how to navigate complex operational environments, synthesize diverse perspectives, and translate technical knowledge into practical recommendations for elected officials and their staff.

This placement has been transformative for my development as a policy professional. I’ve learned that good policy is not just about writing, it’s about listening, questioning, and understanding. It’s about engaging with experts, interpreting legislation, and crafting solutions that are both principled and pragmatic.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to Umar Shameem and Kate Laykys, the brilliant policy analysts at LPS who guided me throughout this placement. Their mentorship, trust, and willingness to involve me in meaningful work have made this experience incredibly enriching. I’m grateful for their support and for the opportunity to contribute to the important work they lead.

I also want to thank the LPS Officers I met during my time here. From day one, they welcomed me into their space with kindness, professionalism, and a genuine interest in sharing their world. Their dedication to public service is inspiring, and their genuineness made me feel like part of the team.