CFIB Internship in
Public Policy & Advocacy
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to advocate for meaningful policy change at all levels of government?
Since 2013, our program has helped countless young professionals sharpen their policy skills while making a difference for small business owners in Canada.
Applications launch in February each year. 2025 internships will be based in Halifax (NS), Montreal (QC), Ottawa (ON), Toronto (ON), and Vancouver (BC). Fully remote arrangements in Canada may also be considered.

Joseph Falzata | 2024
"My time as a Public Policy and Advocacy Intern with CFIB was invaluable to my personal and professional growth. Through CFIB, I’ve learned a great deal about how policymaking impacts small businesses, as well as insights into the world of communications. My fantastic managers guided me along the way, and along with other mentors, have instilled in me a genuine passion for public policy. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity, and I encourage anyone who's thinking of a career in public policy to consider CFIB."
Bradlee Whidden | 2023
"Midway through my internship I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Vancouver for the UBCM conference. I gained valuable experience in various lobbying meetings, meeting numerous politicians including the premier of BC. I also met people for the first time in person who I had been working with closely over the previous months which I though was a very interesting 21st century experience. Overall it was a highlight of my internship."
Benjamin Rousse | 2022
"One of the most rewarding experiences I had during my internship was spending a day in the field with one of CFIB’s District Managers. We had the chance to meet with several entrepreneurs who testified to the positive impact CFIB has had on their businesses. These conversations showed me the importance of the work we do at CFIB and the true purpose of our everyday fight for small and- medium businesses."
SeoRhin Yoo | 2022
"My CFIB internship presented me with the challenging opportunity of publishing a report on a topic that is normally out of my comfort zone. I was pleasantly surprised to be provided with so many tools and enthusiastic support from colleagues from all different departments. The entire process of writing, presenting, and publishing a report with CFIB helped me learn new skills as well as understand what areas I need to develop further."
Emily Boston | 2022
"During my internship I had the incredible opportunity to join the BC legislative team for a five-day trip to Whistler for the 2022 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). I attended a total of 17 meetings with mayors, councilors, and municipal officials and had the unique opportunity to present a report I co-authored to many of them. I gained valuable lobbying experience and was able to substantially expand my professional network, and for that reason it will always be an experience I look back on fondly."
Juliette Nicolaÿ | 2023
“During my internship, the team actively guided me to build my understanding of the world of small businesses and the challenges they face. I gained comprehensive insights by conducting surveys, further deepening my understanding by directly engaging with small business owners and uncovering their concerns. To advocate effectively, comprehending the intricacies of small businesses is the crucial first step.”
Alex Oulton | 2023
"One of the most exciting parts of my internship was the feature calls. throughout the internship, we had the opportunity to meet and ask questions to different career professionals. Not only was this great as we learned about many differing careers but it was also an opportunity to get mentored by experts! Having this insight into how diverse these top professionals' career paths have been as I am entering into my first jobs post-university was very inspiring!"
Take your skills from the classroom to positions of influence as a CFIB Intern!
Our organization-wide professional development system helps interns identify the skills they want to work on and set tangible goals to achieve them.
Chat with notable individuals such as Mastercard's Vice President of Product Management, and Alberta's Assistant Deputy Minister of Workforce Strategies.
Produce research reports, surveys, op-eds, news releases, and social content to support CFIB’s advocacy efforts online and in meetings with policymakers.
Past Intern Publications
2024 Reports

Atlantic municipal report 2024: Which municipalities are small business friendly?
Authored by Joseph Falzata, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern

Municipal Property Tax Fairness in Manitoba
Authored by Hayley Bassett, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern

Broken Windows & Broken Trust: The Impact of Rising Crime on Small Business
2023 Reports

Empowering Women in Business: Insights and Recommendations
Authored by Rameen Azmat, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern, Laure-Anna Bomal, CFIB Economist

Atlantic Municipal Report: Which Municipalities are Small Business Friendly?
Authored by Alex Oulton, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern

Repenser la Loi sur la protection du consommateur : mieux l’adapter aux réalités des PME tout en préservant la protection élevée des consommateurs (French Only)

Unlocking Potential: Breaking Down Barriers to Work Across All Ages
Authored by Juliette Nicolaÿ, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern
2022 Reports

CRA Report Card, 7th edition
Authored by Harriet Finlayson, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern, Michelle Auger, CFIB Senior Policy Analyst, Rachel Ng, CFIB Manager Member Information & Escalations

Help Wanted: Labour Shortages Threaten the Future of Canadian Agriculture
Authored by SeoRhin Yoo, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern, Taylor Brown, CFIB Senior Policy Analyst

Municipal Business Report: Small Business Friendliness across Western Canada
Authored by Emily Boston, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern, and SeoRhin Yoo, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern

Small Business Insolvencies: The Tip of the Iceberg
Authored by Benjamin Rousse, Public Policy and Advocacy Intern
Previous Years
View archive for reports published by intern cohorts from 2013 - 2021
What's it like to be a CFIB Intern?
Don't just take it from us, hear from past interns.
One of the most exciting parts of my internship was the feature calls. throughout the internship, we had the opportunity to meet and ask questions to different career professionals. Not only was this great as we learned about many differing careers but it was also an opportunity to get mentored by experts! Having this insight into how diverse these top professionals' career paths have been as I am entering into my first jobs post-university was very inspiring!

This internship is a turning point for my career. It allowed me to develop several skills in communication, research and politics. In addition to having learned a lot, it was a great pleasure to work for CFIB!

Scotiabank's partnership with CFIB in these internships created unmatched opportunities for me. I was able to grow personally and professionally advocating for small and medium-sized businesses. Hopefully many others will be able to share in this opportunity to become leaders and advocates for many years to come.

Scotiabank's partnership with CFIB through the Public Policy and Entrepreneurship internship program created opportunities for me to be part of a great organization, to learn about and advocate for small businesses, and challenge myself to exceed expectations and grow as a professional. Thank you, Scotiabank, and CFIB for making it all possible!

It is difficult to sum up how positive and impactful this internship experience has been. The CFIB team went above and beyond to support our professional growth and expose us to diverse projects, politics, and people. I was offered a seat at every table and developed valuable, transferrable skills that will benefit me for the rest of my career. I am deeply grateful for this program and the many doors it has opened for me.

Hard to believe it has already been 6 months! They say time flies by when you're having fun. It could not be more true. It was an enriching experience like no other, during which I grew professionally, but above all personally. It would have never been possible without the partnership between Scotiabank and CFIB, and for that I am beyond grateful.

The past 6 months at CFIB have been eye-opening and I am so grateful to CFIB and Scotiabank for this internship. From the feature calls with people in different departments to being entrusted to write reports, everyone has cheered us on and set us up for success. I have always felt supported,
encouraged, and heard.

These last six months at CFIB has been an incredibly rewarding growth experience. Not only was I able to develop professionally and hone several skills, but l've built lasting relationships with an amazing team of policy experts. The program has helped me learn so much about myself, and hopefully can do the same for others for many years to come!

My experience with CFIB has been nothing short of amazing. I have learned so much and had the opportunity to develop skills as a policy analyst. I have gained invaluable mentors and friends while working here, along with gaining great work experience! Writing the inaugural Atlantic Municipal Report has not only allowed me to have a piece of work published but has also improved my writing and research skills.

When I first saw a job opportunity at CFIB I sprang at the opportunity, thinking it was the perfect position for me. Looking back, it’s clear how much better it is than I ever could have imagined. CFIB has deepened my passion for public policy and has given me skills I now value greatly. I have accomplished work I will be proud of for the rest of my life and have had the best time doing it.

These past six months have been an incredible journey and a milestone in my professional and personal growth. The entire team at CFIB is dedicated to providing every opportunity for growth and learning. This experience has expanded my horizons and deepened my understanding of small business issues. I am extremely grateful to both CFIB and Scotiabank for this remarkable internship program.
