A Decade of Service to My Country: A Reflection

By: Bibi Hakim

2025 marks my 10th year working in politics and the public service—a milestone I am proud of, but also never imagined I would celebrate. I started my career by volunteering in a local constituency office and attending community events. Often, I’ve spoken about my journey with a program I was introduced to at the beginning of high school—the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Canada and the International Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Foundation—and how fruitful it has been. But my interest in serving my community was rooted in my heart much earlier, I just didn’t know what it was, and I most certainly didn’t see it as political. I just knew I wanted to help people.

Participating in student parliament was what truly sparked my interest in our democracy and politics, though at the time I didn’t understand partisan politics. What I learned from these meetings was simple but powerful: people are elected to represent diverse communities, gather to brainstorm solutions, discuss and determine the best options, and finally, decide on a course of action that serves the greater good. Our student parliament didn’t run on partisanship; we ran individually with our own promises—more like municipal politics.

My early experiences in the constituency revolved around community: engaging with people, listening to their needs, and fulfilling commitments. What I admired most about the politicians I followed was their ability to connect with each individual they met—making people feel heard and valued. Walking through the halls of the Ontario Legislature—or more accurately, getting lost in them—was where my questions slowly started to find answers. I knew, walking out of the chamber, that I wanted to come back.

Attending the Forum for Young Canadians to complete the final requirement of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gave me the opportunity to travel to Ottawa, learn about the federal government, and see our democracy in action. I spent a week in the nation’s capital living a life similar to a federal Member of Parliament—being briefed, doing media training, participating in First Ministers’ Meetings, cabinet simulations, House sittings, Senate sittings, and learning to write various political documents. Sitting in the Chambers of the House and Senate was a surreal experience. It was at Forum that I was offered my first internship—and it was at Forum that I was encouraged to pursue a university degree in public policy and political science.

I did. I am a proud graduate of the Joint Honours Political Science and Public Administration program at the University of Ottawa. Interning with a Member of Parliament and working on the Standing Committee on International Trade fueled my passion for international relations and diplomacy. From classroom simulations to the real chamber, this was a dream and goal come true.

Growing up, I was always the kid striving for the highest marks—always on the honour roll, sweeping awards ceremonies. But moving away from home to a new part of the country changed my perspective. Good grades weren’t my only priority; I wanted to maximize my experiences.

Working on Parliament Hill as a Parliamentary Assistant gave me exposure to key decision-makers: Parliamentary Secretaries, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and even the Prime Minister. I’ve been given opportunities to participate in high-level events and advocate for issues I deeply care about. I sought out the experiences I wanted, and when redirected to others, I made the best of them. I left lasting impressions by focusing on what I was good at. Being hired into the Minister’s Office at Global Affairs Canada as my first “big” office was a dream realized—experiencing diplomacy while staying close to Parliament was everything I wanted. The transition to Transport Canada allowed me to explore niche issues in a domestic file, which I’ve come to deeply appreciate.

Over the last 10 years, I have been part of something bigger than myself: serving the country I was born in—my country, my home. A little brown girl from Rexdale, a first-generation Canadian to Caribbean parents—my role in federal politics and government was far from easy, but I am here. The only Indo-Caribbean female and one of only four women of colour in parliamentary affairs and issues management.

I may have started as an eager intern who just wanted to be in the room, but over time, I’ve become one of the strongest political staffers in parliamentary affairs and issues management. From intern to Legislative Assistant, to Chief of Staff to federal Members of Parliament, and eventually stepping into Cabinet roles—here are the most important lessons I’ve learned in this past decade:

 Lessons Learned in 10 Years of Public Service

• Own your identity and your intersectional identity

• Leverage your lived experience as a leadership asset

• Find a hobby that exists outside of work

• Get a mentor

• Mentor and uplift as you climb

• Stay true to your values

• Learn to pivot

• Start thinking 5–10 years out

• Learn to navigate power, not just policy

• Keep your own file

  
  

My identity in this and the previous government is unique. As mentioned, I am currently the only Indo-Caribbean identifying staffer working full-time in parliamentary affairs and issues management. My heritage connects me to a community I grew up in—a voting bloc I intimately understand. I know their concerns, the cultural nuances, the needs they may not always articulate. That’s something you can’t teach.

That’s why it’s so important to own your identity and your intersectional identity. People will try to mold you to fit into a box. I didn’t fit into any one box—so I made my own. I’ve fought to be in rooms and have found allies when no seat was available. Sometimes I’ve brought my own chair. But even when I couldn't, I remained proud of who I am—and never allowed others to define me.

Once I owned my identity and recognized what made me unique, I became a stronger advocate—for myself and for others. One of my fondest memories was working with Minister Harjit Sajjan at Global Affairs Canada. As a Parliamentary Assistant and Issues Manager, I had the chance to meet Ambassadors and foreign officials. He made a point to introduce his staff proudly and included us in high-level conversations and events.

The political world moves fast—faster than light, sometimes. It’s easy to become consumed by work. Here’s a gentle reminder: work will always be there. You need to find something outside of it. Whether it’s dance, boxing, painting, or simply walking—having an outlet saved me. There were days that were heavy, full of stress I can't even describe. But my support system—my core friends—kept me grounded.

Self-care isn’t in your training manual—but it should be. Because when you're managing national or international crises, it’s easy to forget you're human.

I didn’t grow in this space alone. I had mentors—people I leaned on, people who showed me how to navigate the system. Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. I learned from those around me and grew personally and professionally in doing so.

Someone held the door open for me. Now it’s my turn. I didn’t always know what I know now, and helping others—especially women and women of colour—navigate this space is the least I can do.

Staying true to my values is non-negotiable. Politics gets a bad reputation because many feel the need to "play the game" to succeed. I knew going in there would be pressure. But I’ve never—and will never—compromise my values. One of my most trusted advisors once told me: “The minute you feel the need to bend your values—run.”  Your values are your compass. Ignore them, and regret often follows.

The political space is unpredictable. I never planned to stay in it this long. One day, I plan to run for office. I won’t be an advisor forever. My goals have shifted over the years—and that’s okay. One of my favourite shows, Quantico, once said: “You are the sum total of the decisions you make. But your last bad decision doesn’t have to define you.”  That’s true. You’re never stuck. You may not control everything, but how you react is what defines you.

Your role won’t last forever. Governments change. Technology evolves. So—what’s your next step? Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be?

For me, I want to continue my education, earn a law degree, and join the foreign service. I want to travel, attend more concerts, support more charities. Maybe in 10 years, I’ll be a sworn Member of Parliament.

Lastly, track your accomplishments. This world moves fast. It’s easy to get caught up in crises and forget the wins. Hold on to the good. Not everyone gets access to these spaces—don’t forget to celebrate the little moments.

My favourite quote by Canadian author Elle Kennedy says:“My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn’t realize that success wasn’t grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life.”

For me, success isn’t the positions I’ve held, the events I’ve attended, or accolades I’ve received. It’s about the people I’ve helped and the issues I’ve been able to champion.

Here’s to 10 years working in politics and public service—and many more to come.