How to Become a Page

October 23, 2017

Selection Process

The annual recruitment cycle is from October to December. The interviews and screening process, however, may run until April, when successful candidates are selected for the Program.

The candidate’s competencies for the position of Page will be assessed through an essay and an interview. However, in addition to essay results and the candidate’s performance during the interview, other factors are taken in consideration during the final selection process, including reference checks, provincial representation, diversity, and the male/female ratio.

The Page Program is committed to having a skilled, diversified workforce reflective of Canadian society, and to ensuring the equitable representation of women, Indigenous peoples, and members of a visible minority group. We encourage members of these designated groups to self-identify when they apply to the Program.

Please note that due to the heavy study demands and inflexibility of their academic timetables, students enrolled in certain faculties and courses of study, such as engineering and certain science programs, are unfortunately ineligible. This restriction also applies to law students at the University of Ottawa. Students who wish to pursue these disciplines may apply to be Pages if they agree to change their program of study while employed as Pages.

Basic Requirements

To qualify you must:

be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident;
be graduating from high school or CEGEP (with no academic interruptions) and starting full-time studies at one of the four universities in the National Capital Region in September of the year of employment as a Page;
have obtained an overall academic average of at least 80% the previous year (Grade 11, or secondary IV, or your first year of CEGEP in Quebec), and subsequently maintain this average (transcripts to be provided); and
be able to orally communicate fluently in both official languages, as evaluated by the House of Commons.

Essential Qualifications

In addition to meeting the basic requirements indicated above, Pages must also:

possess superior interpersonal skills;
show sound judgement and be reliable, tactful and courteous; and
demonstrate an interest in the Canadian parliamentary system.

Application Process

To apply to the Program, you must create a profile and complete the online application form by the deadline.

To be considered, the online application must be properly completed and submitted along with the following supporting documents:

a transcript of your marks from the previous year (Grade 11 or secondary IV or first year of CEGEP (Quebec)), as well as your current year’s marks as they become available;
an essay about how you can contribute to the Page Program and how you will benefit from participating in the Program (500 words maximum, double-spaced);
a one-page curriculum vitae outlining your education and employment history, as well as your extracurricular activities, volunteer work and interests; and
the names and contact information for two references. (The references may be a teacher, school principal, guidance counsellor, administrator of an academic institution, or non-family member who has supervised you during a paid or volunteer activity. It is your responsibility to inform references about the essential qualifications and duties of a House of Commons Page so that they can comment on your personal qualities and achievements as they relate to your suitability for this position.)

Interviews

Applicants selected during the initial recruitment process and who passed the language test will be invited to an interview. Interviews will be conducted in Ottawa or by videoconference between mid-February and late March.

Please note that interviews may be scheduled during reading week, spring break, a school trip or any other activity that may have been planned in advance.

Candidates are expected to be available for the interview at the date, time and place indicated by the House of Commons. In order to ensure fairness to all candidates, no alternative interview arrangements will be made.

For More Information click here: http://www.ourcommons.ca/About/PageProgram/Become-Page-e.html