Overview of the House
Overview of the House
What Members of Parliament Do
For nearly 150 years, Members of Parliament have upheld the principles and practices of Canadian democracy, including representing the regional and local concerns of the citizens who elect them. Members consider and vote on legislation in the Chamber, attend committee and caucus meetings, and perform a wide range of duties in their constituencies across the country. They also represent Canada when travelling abroad on official business or when hosting foreign dignitaries.
What the House of Commons Administration Does
The House Administration provides Members with services, infrastructure and advice to help them carry out their work on Parliament Hill and in their constituencies. This includes producing the House of Commons’ daily publications (in print and online), providing technological connectivity to Members, and ensuring the Parliamentary Precinct is secure and equipped to accommodate a number of different activities.
Governing the House
With a mandate to provide impartial advice, services and support to Members of Parliament, the House Administration is guided by three core values:
Respect for the democratic process
The House Administration believes in the importance of parliamentary institutions and the democratic process, and works to foster and strengthen respect for them.
Commitment to balancing continuity and change
The House Administration preserves the collective memory of the House of Commons and its traditions while facilitating its evolution to keep pace with Canadian society, and ensures institutional continuity while supporting Members as their needs evolve.
Professional excellence
The House Administration works to provide effective, accountable and non-partisan support—acting ethically, responsibly and with integrity at all times.
The chart below outlines the governance structure of the House Administration. Click on an entity or service area to learn more about its specific roles and responsibilities.
The House Administration organizational chart shows, in a hierarchical format, the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker and the Clerk followed by the seven service areas: Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, Procedural Services, Information Services, Finance Services, Human Resources Services, Parliamentary Precinct Operations and Protective Service.
- Board of Internal Economy
- Speaker of the House of Commons
- Clerk of the House of Commons
- Corporate Communications
- Internal Audit
- Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
- Procedural Services
- Information Services
- Finance Services
- Human Resources Services
- Parliamentary Precinct Operations
- Protective Service
Board of Internal Economy
Composed of Members from all recognized political parties, the Board of Internal Economy is responsible for all matters of financial and administrative policy affecting the House and its Members, premises, services and employees. It has the legal authority to make by-laws and to regulate the use of resources available to the House of Commons.
Speaker of the House of Commons
As Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker is the head of the House Administration and is responsible for its overall direction and management. The Speaker’s administrative duties also involve ensuring that certain documents are published on behalf of the Board, including the Members’ Expenditures Report and the Report to Canadians.
Clerk of the House of Commons
As Secretary of the Board of Internal Economy, the Clerk is the chief executive of the House Administration and is responsible for the day-to-day management of House staff. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining records of the proceedings of the House, and all decisions made by the House must be authenticated by the Clerk’s signature.
Internal Audit
As the House’s champion of good management practices, Internal Audit supports the House Administration’s mandate by providing objective and value-added assurance, risk management and advisory services on all strategic and management practices.
Corporate Communications
The Corporate Communications team provides the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker’s Office, the Clerk’s Office and all service areas with strategic advice, analysis, products, tools and support related to corporate communications, corporate branding, crisis communications and public outreach.
Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
Offering comprehensive legal and legislative advice and services, the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel also has the ability to intervene in legal proceedings on behalf of the House and its Members to ensure their parliamentary privileges and immunities are protected.
Procedural Services
Providing procedural and legislative advice to the Speaker of the House and Members, Procedural Services also offers support to committees, conducts research and offers training on parliamentary practice and procedure, and coordinates Members’ participation in international and interparliamentary activities. This service area produces timely and accurate parliamentary information including publishing the debates of the House of Commons and the proceedings and evidence of both the House and its joint committees. It also provides technical and administrative infrastructure for the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Information Services
Information Services plans, implements and maintains information technology and management services for Members of Parliament to support them in their roles in the Chamber, in committees, in caucuses and in their offices on Parliament Hill and in their constituencies. In addition, Information Services is responsible for the long-term IM/IT and accommodation planning related to the facility renovations.
Finance Services
Emphasizing sound financial management throughout all areas of the House, Finance Services provides advisory services and operational support in the areas of policy and financial planning, financial management, and materiel and contract management to the House Administration, Members of Parliament and their staff.
Human Resources Services
Human Resources Services provides operational support and advisory services in the areas of human resources and talent management, employee relations, occupational health and safety, organizational effectiveness, business continuity management and corporate strategic planning.
Parliamentary Precinct Operations
Parliamentary Precinct Operations ensures the House is clean and equipped to accommodate a wide range of activities. It is responsible for ensuring a functional work environment within the House, including essential daily support activities such as tenant operations, room allocation, maintenance and material handling, printing and mailing, food, and transportation and delivery services.
Protective Service
The Protective Service ensures a safe, secure and inviting environment for everyone working at and visiting the House of Commons. It is responsible for security programs (including access control, security accreditation, incident response and emergency planning) and for the implementation of the long-term Master Security Plan. It also helps uphold ceremonial traditions by participating in activities such as the Speaker’s Parade.