Small Business Internship Program

Due to the extreme uncertainty and continued challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CFIB has made the difficult decision to cancel the internship program this summer of 2020. We truly appreciate your interest in joining our program. We wish you all the best as you continue your studies, and urge you to reapply next year if possible.

Get a head start on your career with a paid CFIB Internship

Do you have a keen eye for research and writing? Want to learn about government and business from Canada’s most prominent independent business organization? Looking for a summer job that will challenge you?

Check out the CFIB internship in public policy and entrepreneurship, sponsored by our partner, Scotiabank.

Every summer, top college and university students from across Canada take their skills from the classroom to positions of influence as CFIB interns. The internship will help you understand the realities of running a small business in Canada while building important relationships with key stakeholders in both government and the small business community.

What do you get out of the internship?

Over a four-month period (May to August) with CFIB, here’s how you will contribute to the organization’s success—and grow as a professional:

Get published: Produce an in-depth CFIB research report that our staff use to support our positions in meetings with decision-makers in municipal, provincial and federal governments.
Hone your skills: Sharpen your communications strategy, skills and tactics for engaging with government, small business owners and other stakeholders.
Learn from experts: Participate in special training sessions conducted by CFIB, Scotiabank and guest speakers on topics ranging from lobbying to government and the economy.
Be part of the team: Work directly with other CFIB staff across Canada.

We will begin the search for our next cohort of interns in early 2019.

Intern Reports

2018

Title	Author
BC Municipal Spending Watch Report, 11th Edition	Mackenzie Cumberland, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern, Aaron Aerts, BC Economist and Richard Truscott, Vice-President of BC and AB
Alberta Municipal Spending Watch Report, 9th Edition.	Shannon Hazlett, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Manitoba Municipal Sending Watch Report, 4th Edition	Owen Clune, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern, Jonathan Alward, Director of Provincial Affairs, Manitoba
Service Canada Call Centre Report Card	Lashaunda Yates, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
More With Less: Economic Growth with an Aging Workforce	Raoul Ntwali, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Ministry of Labour Hotline Report: Understanding Bill 148 Beyond the Minimum Wage	Sara Bourdeau, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern

2017

Title	Author
BC Municipal Spending Watch 2017, 10th Edition	Muriel Protzer, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern, Aaron Aerts, BC Economist and Richard Truscott, Vice-President of BC and AB
Saskatchewan Property Tax Gap Report, 10th Edition	Anthony Cole Hinzmann, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Jennifer Henshaw, Senior Policy Analyst, Saskatchewan
Alberta Property Tax Report	Andrew Yule, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Gavin Kaisaris, Policy Analyst
Alberta Municipal Spending Watch Report, 8th Edition	Andrew Sennyah, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Gavin Kaisaris, Policy Analyst
CRA Report Card, 6th edition	Isaac Turner, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Michelle Auger, Coordinator, National Affairs
Ontario Small Business Opinions on Local Government, 2nd	Ryan MacDonald, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern, Ryan Mallough, Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario

2016

Title	Author
Saskatchewan Property Tax Gap Report, 9th edition	Rainer Kocsis, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Jennifer Henshaw, Policy Analyst, Saskatchewan
Manitoba Municipal Spending Watch, 3rd edition	Sawyer Swarek, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern and Gavin Kaisaris, Policy Analyst
CRA Report Card, 3rd edition	Aaron Van Tassel, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Worse than Paper Cuts: Small Business Perspectives on the Newfoundland and Labrador Recycling Program	Tanisha Connolly, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern

2015

Title	Author
Alberta Municipal Spending Report, 2015	Edward Ketcheson, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Manitoba Municipal Spending Watch	Elliot Sims, Director of Provincial Affairs, Manitoba Gavin Kaisaris, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
A Small Business Assessment of Workers’ Compensation: 2015 Small Business Workers’ Compensation Index	Marvin Cruz, Senior Research Analyst Sarah Gebretsadik, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Beyond the Big Border	Joseph Doris, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Canada’s Municipal Spending Watch 2015	Nina Gormanns, Senior Research Analyst Cam Nguyen, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Powering Entrepreneurship	Kyla Roberts, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern Andreea Bourgeois, Senior Analyst Denis Robichaud, Director, Provincial Affairs

2014

Title	Author
Canada Revenue Agency Report Card	Ben Woodfinden, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Realities of Agriculture in Canada	Carly Barefoot, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern Mandy D’Autremont, Senior Policy Analyst, Agri-business and Saskatchewan
Ontario Property Tax System Stacked Against Small Business	Jovonne Lee, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Alberta Municipal Spending Report, 2014	Zack Moline, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
WANTED: Property Tax Fairness in Saskatchewan	Eric Muller, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern Nina Gormanns, Research Analyst
BC Municipal Spending Watch 2014	Edward Ketcheson, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Interns

2013

Title	Author
Alberta Municipal Spending Watch 2013 4th Edition: Trends in Operating Spending, 2000-2011	Samuel Karamanis, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
WANTED: Property Tax Fairness in Saskatchewan A ranking and small business perspective of property tax gaps in Saskatchewan	Eli Gotthilf, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern, Prairie Ben Kolisnyk, Policy Analyst, Prairie
Ranking Provincial Tax Systems in Canada: CFIB’s 2013 Small Business Provincial Tax Index	Marvin Cruz, Research Analyst Renée Anne Nat, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
BC Municpal Spending Watch 2013 6th Edition: Trends in Operating Spending, 2000-2011	Mike Klassen, Director of Provincial Affairs, British Columbia Richard Fong, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern
Coming Up Short: Barriers to Apprenticeship and the Shortage of Labour	Katie Phillips, Public Policy and Entrepreneurship Intern

What have CFIB’s interns produced?

All Scotiabank/CFIB interns author an official CFIB report that we use to advocate for small business with all levels of government.

In addition to the report, you’ll develop all the supporting documents, including a news release, digital content and letters to government.

Intern Testimonials

The CFIB/Scotiabank Internship comes with so many tremendous opportunities from engaging with senior executives, industry professionals, and community leaders, to working on projects of real value with the freedom to explore and make change. I feel very lucky to have been a part of something this special.

Owen 2018 Intern, Winnipeg

My summer working at CFIB has been an incredible learning experience. Not only did I get the chance to improve upon skills I learned throughout my academic career, but I also gained a better understanding of public policy and entrepreneurship. Thank you CFIB and Scotiabank for an amazing summer!

Lashaunda 2018 Intern, Ottawa

For my first Canadian work experience, being an intern at CFIB over the summer was definitely one of the most interesting and enjoyable experiences of my life. A special thanks to my manager, Simon, for all his precious advice and his availability. A huge thank you to all CFIB staff and Scotiabank!

Thomas 2015 Intern, Montreal

This internship has lived up to its press release title. From the people I worked with to the opportunities I experienced, CFIB and Scotiabank’s commitment to this program has been on display since day one. I am extremely thankful to be a part of this ‘coveted’ internship.

Joseph 2015 Intern, Ottawa

The CFIB/Scotiabank Public Policy & Entrepreneurship Internship is an amazing learning experience working with a highly knowledgeable and motivated team. It’s the perfect program for someone looking to start a career in policy development.

Mitch 2014 Intern, Charlottetown

My summer at CFIB was a truly unique experience that allowed me to gain an understanding of all the workings of public policy that actually matters and how important it is that small businesses have a voice to represent and fight for their needs in Canada.

Ben 2014 Intern, Ottawa

This internship opened my eyes to the challenges small business owners face every day. I learned so much about what it takes to run a business and greatly developed my communication, research, and writing skills in the process. Contributing to the advocacy work of the CFIB was easily one of the best ways to spend a summer.

Katie 2013 Intern, Halifax

Working as an intern at CFIB over the summer was definitely one of the most interesting, rewarding, and enjoyable experiences of my life. I am thankful to all CFIB members who taught me so much in a short period of time.

Julien 2013 Intern, Montreal

Working with CFIB this summer was an incredible experience. My colleagues were incredible mentors—passionate, driven, and courageous. Their love for small business is infectious. Thank you CFIB and Scotiabank for the opportunity; the knowledge and skills I have gained will be great assets as I continue my education and plan for a career.

Brett 2012 Intern, Winnipeg

Working for CFIB was an informative and enriching experience. Thanks to everyone at the organization who has mentored me this summer, and to Scotiabank, whose generous support made my internship possible. I will be leaving with refined skills, fond memories, and a stronger appreciation for Canadian entrepreneurship.

Alex 2012 Intern, Toronto

Thank you CFIB and Scotiabank for this unique experience. My internship at CFIB gave me the opportunity to learn and grow professionally while working with passionate people in an organization dedicated to its members. A special thanks to my manager for the commitment he put into my internship and for transmitting me his love for small businesses. “Members first” is definitely a philosophy that has guided my internship this summer and that I will always remember.

Noémie 2012 Intern, Montreal

Have COVID-19 questions? We've got answers.

Scotiabank/CFIB Internship in Public Policy and Entrepreneurship