Panelists Karim Bardeesy, Hon. Jennifer Howard, Melissa Lanstman, and moderator Garry Keller Photo credit: Justin Tang Photography
Lots of political staffers think about it, but what is it really like to move from being the advisor/aide to being the candidate for office?
The MPM Program was delighted to host this conversation with a multi-partisan panel featuring Karim Bardeesy, M.P. (Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park), the Hon. Jennifer Howard (previously Minister of Finance in Manitoba), and Melissa Lantsman, M.P. (Thornhill), in conversation with moderator Garry Keller (StrategyCorp, 2025 federal candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming).
The panel was the centrepiece of the 2026 Riddell Reception, a regular event in the MPM calendar organized by MPM students. View the event Photo Gallery.
This year’s Reception welcomed more than 200 members of the MPM community for a lively discussion that was later featured in The Hill Times: Remembering Vimy a Lioness at the High Commission and the Riddell Reception.
The Program is grateful to sponsors for making this event possible.
Interested in upcoming MPM events or sponsorship opportunities with the Riddell Program? Contact us at mpm@carleton.ca to learn how you can get involved.