Parliamentary Affairs Advisor - Office of the Honourable Senator Allister Surette
Top Benefits
About the role
Job ID: 217275-67
Classification: PAA: $82,101 - $106,576
Job Type: Indeterminate Appointment (permanent, full-time)
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Closing Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
About the Senate
The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy.
As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. Build and advance your career by joining a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.
How will you contribute?
As Parliamentary Affairs Advisor for Senator Allister Surette, you will play a key role in advancing his commitment to linguistic duality, regional development, the vitality of Francophone communities, and intercultural dialogue.
To succeed in this role, you will leverage your understanding of regional dynamics and the issues facing minority communities to help implement the Senator’s priorities in areas such as language justice, French-language postsecondary education, inclusive governance, and sustainable intercommunity relations.
Your ability to demonstrate initiative, thoroughness, and leadership will be essential for conducting strategic research, drafting high-quality parliamentary communications, building strong relationships with stakeholders, and providing informed advice — all with the goal of maintaining a strong, constructive voice that is grounded in the realities of the communities he represents, both in the Senate and in the national public sphere.
Core responsibilities:
- Conduct in-depth policy research and legislative analysis to support the Senator’s advocacy efforts;
- Draft high-quality speeches, briefing notes, reports, correspondence, and public communications;
- Monitor Senate proceedings and committee work to identify opportunities for strategic engagement;
- Help develop and implement strategic priorities based on sound, evidence-informed advice;
- Represent the Senator at meetings and events, and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and is committed to public service, justice, and equity.
Open to
The general public, to staff one (1) indeterminate full-time position in the Office of the Honourable Senator Allister Surette. The start date is scheduled for early September 2025.
Please note that “indeterminate” refers to an employment contract with no specified end date.
The position offers flexibility regarding the workplace, including remote work options, depending on operational needs and agreements established with the employer.
The Senate of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve, starting with an inclusive and barrier-free hiring process. You can request to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Prerequisites
- A university degree from a recognized institution in political science, law, public affairs, Francophone studies, official languages, social sciences, or any other field related to the duties of the position and/or an acceptable combination of education, training, and relevant experience;
- Extensive and recent experience in research, analysis, and critical evaluation of public policy, with the ability to formulate clear, evidence-based recommendations;
- Extensive and recent experience in drafting documents such as briefing notes, reports, statements, and speeches;
- Experience in providing strategic advice to senior officials on a variety of politically sensitive issues;
- Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with senior officials and/or parliamentarians;
- Strategic and organized thinker with the ability to coordinate and manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines;
- Knowledge of effective communication techniques, methods, and practices, with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing;
- Proficiency in French is essential; bilingualism (French and English) is required.
Competencies
Integrity
Respect
Service
Communication
Judgement
Adaptability
Dependability
Teamwork and Cooperation
Action Management
Attention to detail
Organizational Needs
The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees are provided full and equal access to employment, development, and advancement opportunities.
Conditions of Employment
Candidates must consent to supply personal information and obtain a security accreditation in order to be eligible for appointment.
How to apply
Please save a copy of the notice of job opportunity. Once the closing date has passed, these documents will no longer be available.
Relocation and travel expenses incurred during this process are the applicant's responsibility.
Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. You must consent to receiving e-mails from our system in your online profile.
The Senate of Canada reserves the right to retain a determined number of candidates who best meet the essential requirements of the position.
The Senate of Canada is a separate and distinct employer from the federal public service and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.
We thank all those who apply to this selection process.
The posting closes at 11:59 p.m. EDT on the closing date stated above.
About Senate of Canada
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Parliament’s 105 senators shape Canada’s future. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens — a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit.
Parliamentary Affairs Advisor - Office of the Honourable Senator Allister Surette
Top Benefits
About the role
Job ID: 217275-67
Classification: PAA: $82,101 - $106,576
Job Type: Indeterminate Appointment (permanent, full-time)
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Closing Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
About the Senate
The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy.
As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. Build and advance your career by joining a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.
How will you contribute?
As Parliamentary Affairs Advisor for Senator Allister Surette, you will play a key role in advancing his commitment to linguistic duality, regional development, the vitality of Francophone communities, and intercultural dialogue.
To succeed in this role, you will leverage your understanding of regional dynamics and the issues facing minority communities to help implement the Senator’s priorities in areas such as language justice, French-language postsecondary education, inclusive governance, and sustainable intercommunity relations.
Your ability to demonstrate initiative, thoroughness, and leadership will be essential for conducting strategic research, drafting high-quality parliamentary communications, building strong relationships with stakeholders, and providing informed advice — all with the goal of maintaining a strong, constructive voice that is grounded in the realities of the communities he represents, both in the Senate and in the national public sphere.
Core responsibilities:
- Conduct in-depth policy research and legislative analysis to support the Senator’s advocacy efforts;
- Draft high-quality speeches, briefing notes, reports, correspondence, and public communications;
- Monitor Senate proceedings and committee work to identify opportunities for strategic engagement;
- Help develop and implement strategic priorities based on sound, evidence-informed advice;
- Represent the Senator at meetings and events, and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and is committed to public service, justice, and equity.
Open to
The general public, to staff one (1) indeterminate full-time position in the Office of the Honourable Senator Allister Surette. The start date is scheduled for early September 2025.
Please note that “indeterminate” refers to an employment contract with no specified end date.
The position offers flexibility regarding the workplace, including remote work options, depending on operational needs and agreements established with the employer.
The Senate of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve, starting with an inclusive and barrier-free hiring process. You can request to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Prerequisites
- A university degree from a recognized institution in political science, law, public affairs, Francophone studies, official languages, social sciences, or any other field related to the duties of the position and/or an acceptable combination of education, training, and relevant experience;
- Extensive and recent experience in research, analysis, and critical evaluation of public policy, with the ability to formulate clear, evidence-based recommendations;
- Extensive and recent experience in drafting documents such as briefing notes, reports, statements, and speeches;
- Experience in providing strategic advice to senior officials on a variety of politically sensitive issues;
- Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with senior officials and/or parliamentarians;
- Strategic and organized thinker with the ability to coordinate and manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines;
- Knowledge of effective communication techniques, methods, and practices, with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing;
- Proficiency in French is essential; bilingualism (French and English) is required.
Competencies
Integrity
Respect
Service
Communication
Judgement
Adaptability
Dependability
Teamwork and Cooperation
Action Management
Attention to detail
Organizational Needs
The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees are provided full and equal access to employment, development, and advancement opportunities.
Conditions of Employment
Candidates must consent to supply personal information and obtain a security accreditation in order to be eligible for appointment.
How to apply
Please save a copy of the notice of job opportunity. Once the closing date has passed, these documents will no longer be available.
Relocation and travel expenses incurred during this process are the applicant's responsibility.
Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. You must consent to receiving e-mails from our system in your online profile.
The Senate of Canada reserves the right to retain a determined number of candidates who best meet the essential requirements of the position.
The Senate of Canada is a separate and distinct employer from the federal public service and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.
We thank all those who apply to this selection process.
The posting closes at 11:59 p.m. EDT on the closing date stated above.
About Senate of Canada
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Parliament’s 105 senators shape Canada’s future. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens — a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit.