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Benjamin Sparkes

Director of Operations, Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Degrees:MPM 2018

Benjamin is the Director of Operations in the Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Previously Benjamin worked in the Office of the Prime Minister for two years as Senior Advance on the Prime Minister’s Tour team. He has also served as Policy Advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Atlantic Regional Advisor to the Minister of Indigenous Services. In all, Benjamin has more than a decade of experience working on Parliament Hill, in addition to working in senior roles on municipal, provincial and federal election campaigns. Benjamin also holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science from the University of Ottawa.

“The Riddell Program provided unmatched real-world practical skills that are often lacking from most political science programs. The faculty are all experienced political practitioners who can share their first-hand knowledge and expertise. Whether you are already working in the political sphere, or looking to find a way in, I can’t recommend this program enough.” – Ben Sparkes

Last Revision: November 6, 2023