It’s been a year of immersive learning opportunities for MSVU Political Studies student Morgan Hussey.
This winter, Morgan completed a directed study under the supervision of professor Dr. Jeffrey MacLeod that saw her serve as Head Delegate and Student Coordinator for the MSVU delegation at the 2024 North American Model United Nations (NAMUN) Conference in Toronto.
Morgan also travelled to Ottawa where she shadowed various Members of Parliament and Senators, and toured Parliament, the Senate, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Each year, a student in Political Studies at MSVU is afforded this opportunity as the recipient of the Andrea and Charles R. Bronfman Award in Canadian Studies.
Morgan wrote about both her time on Parliament Hill and at the North American Model United Nations (where she won an award!). Read below for her accounts of these great experiences.
A Week On The Hill
By Morgan Hussey
Award Experience Overview
I was awarded the Andrea and Charles R. Bronfman Award in Canadian Studies and the Marial Mosher Canadian Studies Award for my paper on “Recent revelations about Hockey Canada’s handling of sexual assault cases raise pressing questions about accountability and responsibility in the governance of sport. What is the appropriate relationship between culture, sport, and the state?”. This award is given annually and supports the recipient’s week-long experience in Ottawa, Ontario to get a glimpse into the inner workings of Canadian politics.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Politics, Economics and Canadian Studies (PECS) Department at MSVU and its donors for making my award experience possible. This is an experience that I will never forget and it has truly opened my eyes to the real-life everyday experiences of those working on the hill.
I travelled to the nation’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario, for my award experience. I was provided with a variety of enriching opportunities and experiences that ranged from meeting Senators, party leaders, and Members of Parliament as well as cultural activities. Some of my most memorable experiences from my time in Ottawa are meeting Senator Jane Cordy (who is an honourary degree recipient from Mount Saint Vincent University), spending a day with Member of Parliament The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West), and visiting the National Gallery of Canada.
The House of Commons
Member of Parliament for Halifax West (MSVU’s riding) The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab (pictured at right) and her staff generously hosted me for a day on the hill. This opportunity allowed me to chat with her staffers Isabelle and Conner as well as shadow MP Diab as she went about her day on the hill. Some of the highlights from my time at the House of Commons visiting MP Diab were attending question period, touring the Justice Building, touring the House of Commons, and attending a committee meeting. MP Diab’s staff also invited me to attend an evening reception to celebrate Diwali where I was able to meet a party leader and enjoy the cultural celebrations of the evening.
The Senate of Canada
Senator Jane Cordy and her staff hosted me for a day at the Senate of Canada. This was by far my favourite day of the entire experience as the Senate is one of my main areas of interest in Canadian parliamentary politics.
During my day with Senator Cordy (pictured at right)
, I was able to chat with her, tour her office, and have lunch in the parliamentary dining room. This is a dining experience I will never forget. After lunch, we walked from Senator Cordy’s office to the Senate of Canada building where I was able to meet Senate staffers and watch Senate proceedings.
Senator Cordy arranged for me to be introduced during Senate proceedings which was a very special once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always remember. After Senate proceedings wrapped up for the day, I was able to observe a Senate committee meeting which Senator Cordy chairs. The committee was hearing from witnesses on the issue which they were discussing which made for an interesting committee session.
The National Gallery of Canada
My experience at the National Gallery of Canada is one to remember. As part of my cultural activities while in Ottawa I toured the National Gallery of Canada. For me, the most memorable exhibit was the Indigenous art exhibit. This exhibit focused on showcasing Indigenous artists from across Canada through different mediums of art. The outside art exhibits were another highlight of my time at the National Gallery of Canada.
Summary
Overall, my experience in Ottawa made me more aware of Canadian parliamentary politics and allowed me to experience firsthand life on the hill.
In addition to the experiences detailed above, I visited the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, the Canadian Museum of History, and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law to meet with Professor Constance Backhouse.
This award experience is truly tailored to the recipient’s interests and professors in the PECS Department did an excellent job of organizing experiences for the trip which I am very grateful for. I would highly encourage future students to apply for the Andrea and Charles R. Bronfman Award in Canadian Studies. This award experience truly opened my eyes to Canadian politics and life on the hill.
I would like to thank the PECS department, its donors, and my hosts while in Ottawa for making this experience possible. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the Andrea and Charles R. Bronfman Award in Canadian Studies and the Marial Mosher Canadian Studies Award possible through their generosity.
Political Studies student and MSVU Model United Nations Delegation Head Delegate and Student Coordinator brings home Book Award at North American Model United Nations held at the University of Toronto
Morgan Hussey, a fourth-year Political Studies student and the MSVU Model United Nations Delegation Head Delegate and Student Coordinator, travelled to Toronto, Ontario in February to attend North American Model United Nations (NAMUN) 2024 at the University of Toronto.
Morgan represented the United States of America in the general assembly of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This committee focused on encouraging sustainable agricultural production for land security and supporting agricultural development driven by Indigenous Peoples. Morgan was awarded the book award for her position paper submitted to the conference.
Morgan along with eight other delegates from MSVU travelled to Toronto to attend NAMUN. The delegation’s travel and conference experience was made possible by the generosity of the Politics, Economics and Canadian Studies (PECS) department and the Mosher Fund.
Morgan served as the Head Delegate and Student Coordinator for the MSVU delegation as part of a directed study, Model United Nations in Canada she is currently completing under the supervision of professor and department chair Dr. Jeffrey MacLeod. In this position, she presented weekly lectures to the delegation and took care of all leadership, administration, organization and logistics associated with the delegation’s conference attendance. For many delegates, this was their first model United Nations conference.
MSVU North American Model United Nations Delegation
In late January, Morgan also had the privilege of travelling to Montreal, Quebec to attend McGill Model United Nations (McMUN) 2024 where she represented The Republic of the Philippines in the general assembly of United Nations Women. The committee focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. The committee discussed affirmative action (AA) and descriptive representation as well as improving accessibility to law enforcement, healthcare, and education for women in rural and remote areas.
Morgan’s McMUN conference experience was made possible by the Marial Mosher Canadian Study Travel Award which she was awarded this year as part of her directed study Model United Nations in Canada. During her time in Montreal, Morgan was able to speak with several professors to discuss the teaching methods, processes and approaches that they use to prepare their delegation for conferences. Morgan was also able to connect with delegates from across North America during the conference. Throughout her directed study Morgan has been researching the different methods, practices, and approaches used in model United Nations delegation preparation. This has allowed her to best prepare the MSVU delegation for NAMUN.
United Nations Women during a committee session held at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Quebec (Photo Credit: McGill Model United Nations)