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• Letter from the Clerk
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• Financial Report
• Members of the House of Commons

About Members

Voters send Members to the House of Commons-the official meeting place of the elected representatives of the Canadian people. Members' daily duties include responsibilities in several areas. Their work is carried out in the Chamber, in committee, in Members' offices in Ottawa and in their constituencies, and in caucus. They also represent Canadians internationally and welcome foreign visitors to our country.

 

Chamber Business

Members debate and vote on legislation, present documents and petitions, ask and respond to questions and raise issues of importance to their constituents in the Chamber. In doing so, they are fulfilling their constitutional mandate to keep the government accountable.

Committee Work

Members' responsibilities also include work in the various committees. Committees investigate current matters, study proposed legislation and receive input from citizens and other experts about important issues.

Caucus Activities

As most Members belong to a political party, one of their duties at the House of Commons is to discuss policies and parliamentary strategy at regular party caucus meetings. The parties have staff who provide research and other support to the caucus and who help Members with their responsibilities in the Chamber and in committees.

Helping Constituents

Members have a responsibility to be available to constituents who want to discuss matters of concern or who need help with federal programs and services. All Members maintain offices and staff in their constituencies, to allow the public to be in touch with them at any time. One week per month is usually scheduled for Members to return to these offices to meet with constituents, and longer periods are scheduled for this purpose during the summer and from late December through late January.

International Duties

In their role promoting democratic institutions and strengthening ties with other countries, Members represent Canada internationally and receive visitors from abroad.

 

 

Members of Parliament come from different walks of life and age groups: they have diverse cultural backgrounds and they bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the House of Commons.

Members of the 40th Parliament are knowledgeable in finance, law, journalism, education, farming, the environment, the arts, health, labour studies and science. The membership of the House includes representatives of the Inuit, Métis and First Nations and many Members who were born outside of Canada in countries as varied as Italy, England, India, China, Greece, Portugal and Tanzania.

 

Distribution of Members by Age Group

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Educational Background

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Other Facts

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The Political Parties

Most Members of the 40th Parliament belong to one of four recognized political parties, although they may also sit as an independent Member. The parties are the Bloc Québécois, the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party of Canada.

Party Standings in the House of Commons as of March 31, 2010

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Diagram of Chamber

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