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Fraser Valley student finishes practicum with local MP Jati Sidhu’s office

Jamie Gazlay was tasked with investigating seniors’ issues while in the riding.
web1_170524-ACC-M-Jamie-Gazlay
Third-year university student Jamie Gazlay spent three months with local MP Jati Sidhu’s office earlier this year. Submitted

Jamie Gazlay—a third year student at the University of the Fraser Valley’s (UFV) School of Social Work—had a unique experience as part of her studies: she spent three months as a practicum student in the constituency office of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Jati Sidhu, visiting communities such as Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Lytton, and Lillooet during her practicum.

“The office asked me to specifically focus on seniors’ issues within the riding, so I was in communities talking with individuals, and organizations such as Better at Home, hospices, and seniors’ housing facilities such as Thompson View Manor [in Ashcroft],” says Gazlay. “I spoke with people at the village offices, at Interior Health; a really diverse group of people.”

Gazlay says that she learned about the practicum from faculty at the university, who had heard from Seamus Heffernan, the manager of Sidhu’s constituency office in Mission, about the opportunity. “I was interested in learning more about government and policy, and wanted to work at the community level. I met with Seamus, and it worked out.”

She says that the major issue she heard about in the communities she visited was housing for seniors, both low-income and assisted living. Transportation was also a major issue.

“The need for someone in the community to advocate for seniors came up a lot,” she says. “It needs to be a paid position: someone who can advise about funding and assistance that’s available and who can connect with all levels of government.”

However, Gazlay says she met a lot of committed volunteers. “It was brought to my attention that people are busy with work, with their lives, but that they go out of their way to provide services, especially in small communities where those services aren’t available.

“Doing this practicum has really inspired me. I met a lot of people who were passionate about working in their communities.”

Gazlay was praised for her performance and professionalism during her time in the constituency. “We were delighted with Jamie’s work here, and she very much exceeded our expectations,” said Sidhu. “As a full-time student and a single mother, I was consistently impressed with her attitude and work ethic, and I have no doubt she will excel in her future career as a social worker.

“It was a successful experiment, one that both we and the UFV’s School of Social Work were very happy with. If our office can better serve our constituents while giving a student the chance to learn about the crucial work we do here, we are more than happy to help.”

Gazlay says she wasn’t really familiar with what happens in an MP’s office when she started the practicum, and was impressed by how dedicated the people in the office are to helping. “There are lots of people coming in for assistance.”

She says she has learned a lot about how policy is a way to make change, and would recommend the practicum to social work students. “It’s a really different opportunity, and I got to connect with so many people and organizations. It gave me a different perspective on issues such as housing and poverty.”