Bilingual Public Policy & Advocacy Internship

Bilingual Public Policy & Advocacy Internship - Ottawa Job Description

Do you have a passion for public policy? Are you a problem solver? Do you want to work for an organization that believes in people’s potential?

We are looking for a CFIB Bilingual Public Policy and Advocacy Intern in Ottawa !

At CFIB, your work supports small businesses in your community and across the country. You’ll have a hand in shaping the economy and future of the country. You will benefit from a flexible and supportive environment that helps you maintain a healthy work life balance. You will work closely with colleagues both locally and across the country – building upon synergies and learning from one another.

You make a difference when you work at CFIB.

We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time contract position as a Bilingual Public Policy and Advocacy Intern in either our Ottawa office or a hybrid work arrangement. While local applicants will be given preference, others based elsewhere in Ontario may still be considered.

What will you do?

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit advocacy group representing the interests of 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. CFIB was founded 50 years ago in reaction to a piece of public policy that, at the time, would have been devastating to the Canadian independent business sector. Now, CFIB’s advocacy, as well as the savings and support that it provides to its members, continues to be essential to the success of Canada’s small business community.

We are offering a four-month Public Policy and Advocacy Internship to work with CFIB teams in Ottawa. The position will run for 18 weeks from May 19th to September 18th.

CFIB has taken great care in developing a coveted Public Policy and Advocacy Intern Program that will not only advance our small business members’ priorities but also provide a meaningful and enriching opportunity for the interns.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to members of the legislative teams, you will work directly on project(s) that support CFIB’s mission to ensure Canada’s small business community thrives, including research, analysis, content creation, communications, and marketing. Throughout the program, you will build a portfolio of work to your name, which may include reports, news releases, social posts, survey questions, and more. Your work will become a component of CFIB’s advocacy work on CFIB members’ top priorities.

This year, the Ottawa intern will work to support the federal legislative team on a range of files, with a particular focus on agriculture-related issues.

Highlights Of Responsibilities

In consultation with and direction from your CFIB Intern Managers, you will:

• Refine the content creation plan and develop weekly completion targets
• Meet agreed upon weekly completion targets
• Gather relevant data from CFIB member surveys, government and other sources
• Analyze data and write draft final content, e.g. report
• Work collaboratively with other CFIB Public Policy and Advocacy Interns and CFIB colleagues across Canada
• Provide research assistance on other small business issues, as necessary
• Provide office administrative help and assist small business members, as necessary

What makes a successful Bilingual Public Policy and Advocacy Intern?

Candidates must possess :

• Desire to learn more about the small business sector and its role in the Canadian economy
• Interest in government relations/politics/public policy
• Strong research skills to undertake qualitative and quantitative analysis, check sources and facts, and develop key arguments
• Commitment to accuracy and thoroughness
• Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small office environment
• Ability to step in to help keep the office running (answer phone, administrative tasks), if necessary
• Good interpersonal skills
• Objectivity and non-partisanship
• Fluency in English language is a requirement (written, oral and reading)
• Proficient in French is a requirement

Note:

Recent graduates (2025 or 2026) of relevant post-secondary education are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to those students located in the…