This fall, the OLIP interns were generously invited once again to partner with the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy, a group dedicated to honouring the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill, for their annual Churchill Dinner. Each year at this dinner, the Churchill Society presents the Award for Excellence in the Cause of Parliamentary Democracy Award to a distinguished person who has contributed to Canada’s democracy in important ways. This year, the person whose legacy was celebrated, alongside that of Sir Winston Churchill, was Canada's 20th Prime Minister: the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien.
The OLIP interns were entrusted with welcoming the guests to the venue, providing directions within the event space, signing guests in, and other forms of assistance when needed. The Churchill Society graciously seated the interns at different tables throughout the venue, allowing us the opportunity to mingle and converse with many of the dinner’s attendees, from whom we learned a lot. It was particularly special that one of the interns had the honour of sitting at the head table, alongside the former Prime Minister and the newly sworn in Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Edith Dumont. Many of us also had the chance to speak with Her Honour.
The highlight of the evening was certainly the chance to hear Mr. Chrétien, during a fireside chat, share his thoughts and perspectives on his time as Prime Minister, interspersed with his humourous quips and anecdotes filled the room with laughter.
Thank you to The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy for inviting the interns to share in this unique experience and to both witness and partake in thought-provoking discussions.
