Year in Review: Message from the Speaker
As Speaker of the House of Commons, I am proud to present the Report to Canadians 2014.
This report provides highlights of the work done by Members of Parliament and their major accomplishments during the 2013–2014 fiscal year. It also focuses on the role the House Administration plays in supporting the daily activities of Members and the institution.
It is truly an honour for me to carry out the role of Speaker, which involves ensuring the orderly flow of business in the House and making sure parliamentary rules and traditions are observed. In addition to presiding over House proceedings, I also chair the Board of Internal Economy, which is responsible for establishing and implementing the by-laws, policies and guidelines that govern the use of the funds, goods, services and premises made available to Members and House Officers to carry out their parliamentary functions.
The Report to Canadians is updated annually and is a companion piece to the Strategic Outlook, a document that the House Administration is tasked with preparing at the beginning of each Parliament. Tabled in September 2012, the Strategic Outlook for the 41st Parliament presents the plans and priorities we have established to meet our core strategic objectives.
For Canadians, this report is also a window into the inner workings of the House of Commons, the duties of Members and the responsibilities of the House Administration. In the Members’ Snapshot section, for example, you will find interesting statistics on Canada’s 308 elected representatives, while the Members’ Activities section highlights how Members fulfilled their responsibilities in the Chamber, in committees and on the world stage. More information on the Administration’s strategic objectives can be found in the Performance Review section and expenditure details are provided in the Financial Review section.
The House of Commons strives to be as open and transparent as possible in everything it does. In 2013–2014, the Board of Internal Economy implemented a number of measures to provide Canadians with more information about its role and Members’ expenditures. In particular, the Board published the minutes of the meetings it held during the 41st Parliament to ensure easier access to this information, which was previously only tabled in the House. In October 2013, the Board also announced that more details will be disclosed when reporting on Members’ expenses. The reports will also be published more frequently, moving to a quarterly cycle starting in 2014–2015. As part of these efforts, the Board also made available to the public the Members’ Allowances and Services Manual and thePublic Registry of Designated Travellers.
In 2012, the Board of Internal Economy set a goal to reduce House spending by 6.9% by 2014–2015. I am pleased to report that Members and the House Administration have met our cost-reduction targets for 2013–2014 and are well on the way to achieving the $30.3 million overall budget reduction next year. This active stewardship reflects our ongoing commitment to carry out our work in the most fiscally responsible manner possible.
The House Administration, meanwhile, is preparing to meet the challenges that 2014–2015 will bring, including getting ready to welcome the 30 additional Members who will join Parliament in 2015.
On behalf of all Members and the House Administration, I encourage you to take a look at this overview of the work done in the House. I would also like to assure you that we will continue to serve Canadians well and ensure the sound management of this important institution.
Andrew Scheer, M.P.
Speaker of the House of Commons
Learn more about the Speaker and his role in the House of Commons
