Learning Public Policy through People, not Paperwork

My path into public policy began in community outreach and grassroots spaces, where policies show up as everyday realities rather than formal documents. In those settings, I learned that access to support often depends on systems that require people to navigate rules, processes, and decisions that are largely invisible from the outside.

Wanting to better understand how those systems are designed from within led me to pursue the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, and ultimately to the Executive Internship opportunity.

I am currently completing my internship with the Government of Saskatchewan, in the Ministry of Social Services, working in the Income Assistance policy unit that supports income assistance programs. From working in the government, I have gained a clear view of how social policy is shaped by institutional responsibilities, legislative frameworks, and the careful management of public resources, while still supporting people’s everyday realities.

In my role, I support policy analysis and research at the systems level. The work is collaborative, focusing on how policy frameworks are structured and applied, and how these decisions affect people’s experiences. This has enabled me to apply my MPA training while learning how policy moves from concept to implementation.

What I find most compelling about this work is the delicate balance at the heart of social policy. Programs are created to support people, yet they must also be consistent, sustainable, and workable in practice.

Through this internship, I have come to appreciate how even modest policy decisions, such as the provincial-municipal partnership to provide discounted bus passes to individuals on Income Assistance, can have meaningful effects on access, stability, and dignity.

Coming from a grassroots background, I remain attentive to how institutions influence who receives support. Being inside government has expanded that lens, giving me a deeper respect for the complexity of public service work and the responsibilities that come with it.

As I move forward, I aim to continue working in public service roles that draw on community experience to inform thoughtful, well-designed policies.