Noor's Legislative Placement with Information Services

For my assembly placement, I had the absolute pleasure of working with the Information Services (IS) Branch at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. As part of the Information and Technology Services Division, the IS Branch ensures that Assembly data is effectively managed, preserved, and made accessible to MPPs, staff, and the public. The branch also designs and manages the Assembly’s custom applications, enterprise systems, and websites, while providing expertise in digitization, accessibility, records management, user experience design, and content development.

Throughout my placement, I had the opportunity to meet with Director Steven Green and connect with teams across the division — from Metadata Services and Parliamentary Systems to Data Preservation and Project Management — to understand how their collective expertise powers the Assembly’s information ecosystem. Their work spans a range of transformative initiatives, from enhancing the public website for accessibility and usability, to advancing the Interactive Hansard Project, which seeks to make the Hansard process more dynamic and digitized. Across all these initiatives, we discussed the challenges and opportunities of technological change, and how to embrace innovation thoughtfully while preserving the institution’s long-standing traditions.

During my placement, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to several unique projects. I conducted an environmental scan of parliaments worldwide for the Clerk of the Assembly, identifying best practices for accessible petition processes. I also conducted research for a global benchmarking and best practices review for the Interactive Hansard Project, gathering insights on innovative approaches to public communication and digital engagement. Another project involved conducting an in-depth review of independent parliamentary officers’ service dates to create a reference source for legislative staff and the public. In addition, I carried out two user experience reviews: one evaluating the public website and two internal staff websites, and another exploring an AI Hansard search tool currently in its early development stages.

The highlight of my placement was, in truth, the experience as a whole, but I particularly enjoyed participating in an observational Hansard session, which deepened my appreciation for the meticulous work that goes into documenting parliamentary proceedings.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Steven Green for his guidance and support. Thank you for so warmly welcoming me into the IS Branch and for giving me the opportunity to contribute to projects that fascinated me. I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone I had the pleasure of meeting — including Yasuko, Julie, Erica, Rob, Heather, Katie, Vicky, Nicky, Jiajing, Elizabeth, Peter, Kerry, Eddie, and the rest of the team — for their kindness and generosity in sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise.

I am deeply appreciative of this experience, which offered a behind-the-scenes look at the vital role the Assembly’s information systems and digital services play in keeping the institution running effectively and ensuring its work remains transparent and accessible. It was inspiring to see the team’s commitment to continually enhancing the availability and quality of information for members and the public alike.