Young people who work as political staffers in Canada have long been derogatorily labelled by politicians and pundits as “the kids in short pants,” a comment about their age and perceived inexperience coined by an adviser to former prime minister Stephen Harper.
Despite the important roles political staffers fill in our democracy, their work is often overlooked and undervalued by the politicians and voters that they serve.
It’s these young people that we encounter when we contact a politician. Political staffers answer phones, respond to emails and organize community events. Political staffers often act as the link between voters and the decision-makers that we elect.
