House of Commons Administration
The House of Commons Administration offers services to Members of Parliament. It also provides them with non-partisan advice, meaning that advice is not provided in favour of one party over another. The House Administration supports Members in their duties as lawmakers and as representatives of their constituents.
Board of Internal Economy
The Board of Internal Economy (also referred to as the Board or BOIE) governs the administrative and financial affairs of the House of Commons. The Board is made up of the Speaker, who acts as Chair, two members of the Privy Council (appointed to the Board by the Government), the Leader of the Opposition or their representative, and other Members appointed in numbers so that there is an equal number of Government and Opposition representatives (apart from the Speaker). The Clerk of the House of Commons acts as secretary to the BOIE.
Under the Parliament of Canada Act, the BOIE decides on financial and administrative matters for the House of Commons and its Members, physical spaces, services, and employees. The BOIE conducts its proceedings in a non-partisan manner.
Learn more about the Board of Internal EconomySpeaker of the House of Commons
In addition to their more visible roles as representative of the House of Commons and Presiding Officer in the Chamber, the Speaker plays an important leadership role in the administration of the House, particularly as Chair of the BOIE. The Speaker represents the House in its traditional, ceremonial and diplomatic duties. They speak on behalf of the House when it has business with the Crown, the Senate, and other bodies outside Parliament. For example, the Speaker leads the procession when the House is called before the Senate to attend the Speech from the Throne, or when a bill receives Royal Assent and becomes law.
Learn more about the SpeakerClerk of the House of Commons
Members are supported in their parliamentary functions through services administered by the Clerk of the House of Commons who, as the chief executive of the House Administration, is responsible for the day-to-day management of House Administration operations. The Clerk reports to the BOIE and advises the Speaker and all Members on the interpretation of parliamentary rules, precedents and practices.
The Clerk is also responsible for maintaining records of House proceedings and for safekeeping these records and other documents in the possession of the House.
In addition, the Clerk welcomes delegations of parliamentary officials from other legislatures, participates in interparliamentary activities, and oversees the following functions:
Internal Audit
The Internal Audit directorate provides independent assurance and advisory activities to strengthen the organization's governance, controls and risk management.
Corporate Planning and Performance
The Corporate Planning and Performance team supports the House in continually improving processes and services to Members and supports the House with strategic planning and reporting.
Corporate Communications
The Corporate Communications team serves the BOIE, the offices of the Speaker and the Clerk, the Clerk’s Management Group, and the House Administration. The team’s services include strategic communications advice and support, media relations and public outreach.
Procedural Services
Procedural Services advises the House on how to conduct business and on the legislative process. It provides Members with support and training on parliamentary practice. It also coordinates Members’ participation in events in Canada and abroad. Procedural Services produces records of parliamentary activity in Canada’s two official languages, English and French.
Committees and Legislative Services
Committees and Legislative Services offers procedural and administrative support to all committees of the House of Commons. It also provides procedural advice to the Speaker and Members about legislation.
House Proceedings
House Proceedings supports Chamber business. It produces parliamentary publications, manages the Page Program, and coordinates Private Members’ Business (the bills and motions presented by Members who are not part of the Cabinet) and the management of petitions. The team also does research and offers advice and information on parliamentary procedure.
International and Interparliamentary Affairs
International and Interparliamentary Affairs (IIA) is a joint directorate of the House of Commons and the Senate that coordinates the Parliament of Canada’s external relations and activities. IIA supports the two Speakers’ exchanges with their counterparts and helps with the activities of associations and recognized groups in Canada and abroad. It also supports official visits by dignitaries and heads of state, as well as conferences hosted by Parliament.
Parliamentary Information and Publications
Parliamentary Information and Publications coordinates the information management activities of Procedural Services (PS). It manages PS information assets and produces the record of debates, proceedings, and evidence of the House and its committees. It also indexes key House and committee publications and contributes to Parliament’s strategy for sharing digital content. In addition, it contains the Press Gallery Secretariat, which offers technical and administrative infrastructure to Canada’s Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
As the House of Commons’ Chief Legal Officer, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel provides legal and legislative services to the Speaker, the BOIE, Members, committees, the Clerk, and the House Administration.
Legal Services
Legal Services offers legal advice and services to the House as an institution, including the Speaker, the BOIE, Members, committees, and the House Administration. Legal counsel specializes in different areas, including parliamentary, constitutional, labour and contract law. Legal Services may also intervene in legal proceedings on behalf of the House of Commons and its Members to protect their parliamentary privileges.
Legislation Services
The Legislation Services team drafts private Members’ bills based on Members’ instructions, as well as the motions they propose to amend bills under consideration by various committees. The team also ensures that all bills—including those amended following the adoption of amendments by the House or its committees—are properly published at each stage of the legislative process.
Administrative Services
The Office of the Chief Executive Administrator provides administrative services, technical and administrative infrastructure, and advice to Members, their staff and the House Administration.
It oversees the service areas described below.
Digital Services and Real Property
Digital Services and Real Property offers modern and cost-effective products, workspaces, and services to the House. It provides broadcast services for parliamentary events as well as television, telecommunications and web services. It puts in place and supports IT and information management services. It also oversees all facilities planning, including building components, connectivity, and infrastructure, and implements real property projects. In addition, it contains Curatorial Services, which manages the House's heritage collection of over 5,000 objects, including official portraits, paintings, furniture and other works of art. It is also responsible for the Peace Tower Carillon.
Finance Services
Finance Services provides advisory and operational support in the areas of policy and financial planning, financial management, and materiel and contract management.
Human Resources Services
Human Resources Services provides integrated support in the areas of talent management, employee relations, pay and benefits, occupational health and safety, and organizational effectiveness.
Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security
The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security (SAA-CS) ensures security on the floor of the House of Commons Chamber. It coordinates visitor and event access, promotes security awareness, and manages parking in the parliamentary precinct. The SAA-CS is responsible for preventing security risks and threats and for responding to those it detects. It works with security partners like the Parliamentary Protective Service to ensure the security of Members and their employees.
Parliamentary Precinct Operations
Parliamentary Precinct Operations is made up of several teams that support a modern and functional work environment for Members and the House Administration. The teams offer various types of services, including building maintenance and support, food and catering, mail processing and distribution, transportation, and printing.
