In September of 2014, instead of completing my third-year law courses at Université de Montréal as planned, I moved to Ottawa and joined the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law – Civil Law Section. There, I was deemed a “special student,” which is a title that will always make me laugh. During this time, I was able to complete the six courses I needed to obtain my law degree. On a personal and academic level, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Civil Law, for it gave me a chance to meet new classmates, who were both friendly and interesting. The experience also provided me with an opportunity to study and work with excellent professors, and I had a chance to develop and broaden my knowledge of constitutional law, in particular as regards the principle of subsidiarity in a federal context, like those of Canada and the European Union.
Whenever I tell people that I left the wonderful city of Montreal for Ottawa, they seem surprised. That being said, this was an easy decision for me. The fact is, during the summer of 2014, Senator Diane Bellemare offered me a job in her office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.
My work for Senator Bellemare essentially consists in doing research, drafting speeches and other documents, and participating in the formulation of certain strategies. For example, I helped the senator present certain proposals for amendments. This led to my working with the Law Clerk of the Senate, attempting to find the right words to improve certain legislative texts. I also helped the senator develop arguments to show the ultra vires nature of Bill C-377 which modified the Income Tax Act in terms of the requirements for labour organizations. Moreover, the new government wants to repeal this legislation. Finally, together with Senator Bellemare, I conducted a great deal of research on the institution of the Senate, in the world and its legislative effectiveness. In this regard, it will be very interesting to monitor the reform of the Senate of Canada as envisioned by the government with the appointment of new independent senators, and as anticipated by the senators themselves, who are the masters of their own regulations and destinies.
Through my work in Parliament, I was able to learn how our laws are made. I was quite tangibly initiated into the world of politics at the levels of public affairs and the exercise of power. Through this, I learned a great deal and I am infinitely grateful to Senator Bellemare for this opportunity. I will never be able to thank her enough for her confidence in me. This experience will soon be drawing to a close, since I will be starting my Bar Admission course in August. Afterwards, I am hoping to start a litigation practice, but I have no way of knowing just what the future has in store for me. One thing I do know, however, is that I will seize every opportunity that comes my way, and I will work hard to ensure that I am able to create as many opportunities as possible.
Etienne Gabrysz-Forget is Parliamentary Affairs Advisor for the Honourable Diane Bellemare.