Highlights from the Hill
The past year has been marked by unprecedented change. People all across Canada and around the world had to continually adjust to a situation unlike any they had ever experienced. In the early days of the pandemic and through the months that followed, Members of Parliament, their staff, and House Administration employees all worked tirelessly, demonstrating their agility and adaptability.
An unprecedented year
From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Members’ commitment to their work in the Chamber, in committees, in caucuses and in service to their constituents remained steadfast. For the House Administration, our vision and mission to deliver outstanding and streamlined services to Members of Parliament and their employees in support of parliamentary democracy remained top of mind. This required agility, creativity, and collaboration.
Working under the guidance of the Speaker and the Board of Internal Economy, the House Administration had to find ways to adapt and continue delivering services to Members of Parliament so that they, in turn, could continue to serve Canadians. As head of the House of Commons Administration, the Speaker provided overall direction and monitored operations in response to the public health threat.
In the first few months of the 2020–2021 fiscal year, much time was devoted to the complex task of responding to the pandemic, which began with enabling telework, virtual meetings, then hybrid proceedings, and overseeing an unexpected transformation of House of Commons operations. The latter half of the year was more about continuing to adapt and finding new strategies to offer outstanding services to Members and their staff.
What are “hybrid
proceedings?”
Hybrid proceedings refer to sittings of the House of Commons and meetings of committees that some Members attend in person, with others simultaneously participating remotely through videoconference.
Maintaining a healthy and safe workplace
On-site workers
As a result of restrictions implemented by provincial governments and local public health organizations, most of the House Administration’s employees were asked to work from home, where possible. A limited number of workers remained on site to ensure that the business of the House of Commons could continue.
In order to provide a safe environment for those working on site, high-traffic areas were regularly cleaned by maintenance staff, building access was monitored, and external partners were regularly consulted regarding public health recommendations, while signage and ongoing communications provided reminders about health and safety protocols.
Working remotely
Efforts in the early weeks of the pandemic were focused on ensuring that all Members, their staff, and House Administration employees working remotely were equipped with devices and adequate connectivity to perform their jobs, and that they were offered continuous support. The House managed to achieve a smooth transition due to its preparedness and thanks to digital transformation improvements and infrastructure that had been put in place before the pandemic to enable a more mobile and connected work environment. This allowed for the implementation of new digital tools that improved the experience of working from home by permitting users to work on any House-managed device, from anywhere, at any time.
Ensuring that the business of Parliament could continue
For parliamentary business to continue while also observing public health guidelines regarding physical distancing and travel, a solution was needed to support and facilitate virtual participation in the House of Commons proceedings and in committee meetings. Within a very short timeframe and following motions adopted by the House, equipment was delivered, Members were trained, new software was configured, and infrastructure was bolstered to maintain the security of our network while ensuring that Members could participate in parliamentary proceedings remotely.
Innovation meets tradition
The goal was to match the features offered by new technologies to House of Commons procedures developed over a period spanning more than 150 years. These efforts led to the holding of the very first virtual committee meetings and hybrid sittings of the House, with Members participating from various locations across the country. In addition, these hybrid meetings of the House continued to be broadcast in the usual way, just as the public portions of committee meetings remained available for Canadians to watch. Employees found ways to provide Members with the services and equipment they needed for these meetings, often while working remotely.
The House Administration integrated a new videoconferencing platform into its existing portfolio of technologies. This new platform can be managed and configured to impose security controls and provide the required simultaneous interpretation services in both official languages. Personalized technical support was offered to Members at all times by the House Administration, which also helped ensure that all Members had access to an adequate Internet connection, whether in their homes or at their constituency offices. The process to invite witnesses to participate in committee meetings was also adapted to ensure quality connections and provide support to assist all those taking part in hybrid meetings.
The advent of hybrid voting also helped Members fulfil their parliamentary duties despite the restrictions brought about by the pandemic.
Working together to support Parliament in a pandemic
Teams from across the House Administration collaborated closely over weeks and months to support the sittings of the House of Commons and hybrid committee meetings. They worked together to reimagine existing procedures, identify new tools, test new technologies and integrate them with existing systems, and ensure the ongoing operations of the Chamber and committees. On-site employees installed signage and implemented distancing measures, cleaned and disinfected key areas, prepared food, delivered mail and priority post items, and modified the Chamber and committee rooms to support hybrid sittings.
Like so many others, our workforce needed to adapt and change how they work during the pandemic. Behind the scenes, hundreds of employees were also working from home to support Members’ needs and those of on-site personnel. What remained unchanged throughout this period is their continued teamwork and support of one another.
Prorogation and a new session of Parliament
A proclamation was issued on August 18, 2020, proroguing the first session of the 43rd Parliament.
Parliament resumed on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, when the second session of the 43rd Parliament opened with the Speech from the Throne.
Normally, this event would take place in the presence of hundreds of people: current parliamentarians, former parliamentarians, staff, members of the armed forces, Supreme Court justices, and guests. However, given the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was markedly different this year, with distancing measures in place and far fewer participants—these included only a small number of Senators and Members of the House of Commons.
Preserving heritage and culture
Parliament Building rehabilitation
A symbol of Canadian democracy and the workplace of parliamentarians, the Parliament Building continues to undergo rehabilitation work, even during the pandemic. The restoration and preservation of this majestic building constitute the largest, most complex heritage building renovation project ever undertaken in Canada.
Keeping the bells ringing
The Dominion Carillonneur, Dr. Andrea McCrady, continued her musical performances from the Peace Tower after a brief silencing of the bells in the early days of the pandemic. Despite the Parliament Building being closed for renovations, her performances continue to be live-streamed so Canadians everywhere can listen.
Nominating a new Parliamentary Poet Laureate
On January 1, 2021, Louise Bernice Halfe – Sky Dancer was appointed the ninth Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Selected by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons for a two year term, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate writes poetry for use in Parliament on important occasions, sponsors poetry readings, and promotes the importance of poetry and literature in Canadians’ lives.