Behind The Scenes: The House of Commons Administration
SUPPORTING MEMBERS, STRENGTHENING THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Employees of the House of Commons Administration take
great pride in their work, supporting Members of
Parliament and strengthening the House of Commons by
helping to advance the initiatives of parliamentarians.
Members of the Board of Internal Economy
Standing from left to right: Mr. Michel Guimond, M.P.,
Whip of the Bloc Québécois; Mr. Joe Preston, M.P.
(CPC); Mr. Michael Ignatieff , M.P. (Lib.); Mr. James
Moore, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Public Works and Government Services and for the
Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics;
Hon. Jay Hill, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State and Chief
Government Whip; Ms. Audrey O'Brien, Clerk of the House
of Commons; Hon. Peter Van Loan, P.C., M.P., Leader of
the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for
Democratic Reform.
Sitting from left to right: Hon. Karen Redman, P.C.,
M.P., Whip of the Official Opposition; Hon. Peter
Milliken, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons and
Chair of the Board of Internal Economy; Ms. Libby
Davies, M.P., House Leader of the New Democratic Party.
Photo: © House of Commons / Chris Diotte
Drawing on the professional support of over 1,800
employees, the House Administration has six service
areas: Procedural Services; the Office of the Law Clerk
and Parliamentary Counsel; Information Services;
Parliamentary Precinct Services; Finance Services; and
Human Resources and Corporate Planning Services.
The House Administration staff is accountable to the
Clerk of the House of Commons, who reports to the Speaker
and serves as Secretary to the Board of Internal Economy.
The Board of Internal Economy governs the House
Administration. It is chaired by the Speaker and composed
of Members from all recognized political parties. The
Board is responsible for all matters of financial and
administrative policy affecting the House of Commons.
DID YOU KNOW THAT …
The winning design for Canada's first Parliament was
selected in 1859 in part because of its accommodation
of both the press and the public. The design jury
chair, Samuel Keefer, maintained that the design by
Fuller & Jones was the only one that met both the
aesthetic and practical requirements of the government
in this respect.
House of Commons Administration Organization Chart
OUTREACH PROFILE
Canadian Study of
Parliament Group
Founded in 1978, the Canadian Study of Parliament Group
(CSPG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that
brings together parliamentary experts, academics and
public servants with an interest in the role, function
and reform of parliamentary institutions. This group
organizes conferences, seminars and speaking tours and
produces research publications that foster discussion
and enhance knowledge of parliamentary government. Its
operations are supported by the financial and voluntary
contributions of its members and by the Senate and the
House of Commons. CSPG membership is open to anyone
with an interest in Parliament, parliamentary
institutions and parliamentary affairs. Visit the
Canadian Study of Parliament Group online at www.studyparliament.ca
to learn more about the organization and its upcoming
events.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Canada's shortest Parliament lasted two months and six
days (31st Parliament, from October 9, 1979 to December
14, 1979).
Canada's longest Parliament lasted five years, 10
months, 22 days (12th Parliament, from
November 15, 1911 to October 6, 1917).
OUTREACH PROFILE
Teachers' Institute on Parliamentary Democracy
First launched in 1996, this is a unique professional
development program for teachers across Canada to learn
more about parliamentary government and citizenship
education. Every November, the program brings together
approximately 70 educators to participate in an
intensive week-long program on Parliament Hill,
administered by the Library of Parliament.