Michael Law
Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs, 2021
Where did Michael work?
Work Term: Junior Policy Analyst, Labour Program, Employment and Social Development Canada
What did Michael accomplish?
Main Tasks
The Labour Program at Employment and Social Development Canada is composed of a small team attending to federal regulations that pertain to occupational health and safety, as well as to labour standards such as hours of work, minimum wage and collective bargaining in the federal jurisdiction. Among other tasks, Michael researched labour and insolvency issues, performed policy analysis, compiled jurisdictional scans, wrote briefings and backgrounders, as well as engaged with stakeholders for regulatory inputs.
Michael oversaw two types of files, one of which was data aggregation from the maritime industry. As the maritime industry is regulated by a host of provincial, federal, and international rules, he needed to conduct research on regulatory conflict. The other file type Michael worked on was the minimum age profile, which consisted of updating federal rules on minimum age at work. To update these rules, he completed several tasks including performing a regulatory review, consulting with stakeholders, working with lawyers, completing treasury board submissions and submitting to the minister for approval.
Major Accomplishments
For Michael, major accomplishments at Employment and Social Development Canada included co-leading regulatory files on Modern Employment Standards, completing Treasury Board submissions, preparing speaking notes for senior leaders, and representing the department on committees. Given the smaller size of the Labour Program, Michael feels that he was able to undertake a higher level of responsibility and create more impact than he otherwise would have in a larger organization.
How did Arts Co-op benefit Michael?
Link between Academics and Work
After having worked for the B.C. provincial government for three years, Michael had applied to the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program with the desire to pursue a career in policy. Throughout his time at Employment and Social Development Canada, he was able to strengthen skills he gained in his classes, namely policy research and analysis. In Michael’s words, the co-op opportunity “align[ed] with my academic and career goals very well.”
Preparation for Post-Graduation
Michael’s remarkable performance at Employment and Social Development Canada led to an offer to not only stay on for another work term, but to also be bridged into a permanent position in the department following his graduation. “The co-op experience was exactly what I looked for in my degree – a transition from my studies into a career in public policy,” he reflects.
Michael Law
Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs, 2021
Where did Michael work?
Work Term: Junior Policy Analyst, Labour Program, Employment and Social Development Canada
What did Michael accomplish?
Main Tasks
The Labour Program at Employment and Social Development Canada is composed of a small team attending to federal regulations that pertain to occupational health and safety, as well as to labour standards such as hours of work, minimum wage and collective bargaining in the federal jurisdiction. Among other tasks, Michael researched labour and insolvency issues, performed policy analysis, compiled jurisdictional scans, wrote briefings and backgrounders, as well as engaged with stakeholders for regulatory inputs.
Michael oversaw two types of files, one of which was data aggregation from the maritime industry. As the maritime industry is regulated by a host of provincial, federal, and international rules, he needed to conduct research on regulatory conflict. The other file type Michael worked on was the minimum age profile, which consisted of updating federal rules on minimum age at work. To update these rules, he completed several tasks including performing a regulatory review, consulting with stakeholders, working with lawyers, completing treasury board submissions and submitting to the minister for approval.
Major Accomplishments
For Michael, major accomplishments at Employment and Social Development Canada included co-leading regulatory files on Modern Employment Standards, completing Treasury Board submissions, preparing speaking notes for senior leaders, and representing the department on committees. Given the smaller size of the Labour Program, Michael feels that he was able to undertake a higher level of responsibility and create more impact than he otherwise would have in a larger organization.
How did Arts Co-op benefit Michael?
Link between Academics and Work
After having worked for the B.C. provincial government for three years, Michael had applied to the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program with the desire to pursue a career in policy. Throughout his time at Employment and Social Development Canada, he was able to strengthen skills he gained in his classes, namely policy research and analysis. In Michael’s words, the co-op opportunity “align[ed] with my academic and career goals very well.”
Preparation for Post-Graduation
Michael’s remarkable performance at Employment and Social Development Canada led to an offer to not only stay on for another work term, but to also be bridged into a permanent position in the department following his graduation. “The co-op experience was exactly what I looked for in my degree – a transition from my studies into a career in public policy,” he reflects.