What can new MPs do to increase their chance of influencing policy and legislation? In the Hill Times’ Rookie’s Guide to the 42nd Parliament, Jane Hilderman and I offer five suggestions:

1. Become an expert on an issue
2. Narrow the “ask” and offer a worked-out solution
3. Build coalitions with fellow MPs
4. Speak directly to Ministers
5. Launch a public campaign

These suggestions are based on the research that we conducted into the influence of backbench MPs using Samara’s exit interviews with former MPs. For more, check out the Rookie’s Guide, or see our paper from the Canadian Political Science Association’s Annual Conference in 2013.

Today I took my POLM5001 class on a field trip to Parliament to meet with Marc Bosc, the Acting Clerk of the House of Commons, and Peter Milliken, the former Speaker of the Commons.

The students received tremendous insights on House operations, parliamentary procedure, and the role of the Speaker. I’m very grateful to both Mr. Bosc and Mr. Milliken for meeting with the Masters of Political Management students for a second year.