House of Commons Administration
The House of Commons Administration offers services and advice to Members of Parliament. It supports them 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 House of Commons. The Board consists 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 his or her representative, and additional Members appointed in numbers so that there are 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. All decisions are non-partisan, meaning that none favour one party over another.
Speaker of the House of Commons
The Speaker is the chair of the BOIE and head of the House Administration. He presides over proceedings of the House. The Speaker represents the House of Commons and has traditional, ceremonial, and diplomatic duties. They speak on behalf of the House of Commons when the House 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 is granted Royal Assent and becomes law.
Clerk of the House of Commons
In the House of Commons, the Clerk serves all Members fairly and equally, for example by providing advice on parliamentary rules and practices. They confirm all the decisions made by the House and keep a record of proceedings.
As chief executive of the House Administration, the Clerk also oversees the following functions:
Audit and Improvement
The Audit and Improvement directorate advises the organization on its governance, risk management and controls. It supports the House in continually improving processes and services to Members. Since April 1, 2024, it also takes care of the House’s strategic planning and reporting.
Corporate Communications
The Corporate Communications team serves the BOIE, the Office of the Speaker, the Clerk, the Clerk’s Management Group, and the House Administration. Its services include advice, communications support and public outreach.
Curatorial Services
Under the Curator of the House of Commons, the Curatorial Services team offers advice on heritage—things that are of historical and architectural value to Parliament. It manages a 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.
Press Gallery Secretariat
The Press Gallery Secretariat offers the technical and administrative infrastructure to Canada’s Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Procedural Services
Procedural Services gives advice to the organization on the way the House conducts its business and makes laws. It supports and trains Members on parliamentary practice. It also does research for Members and coordinates their participation in events in Canada and abroad. Procedural Services produces records of parliamentary activities 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 offers procedural advice to the Speaker and Members about making laws.
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 Procedural Services’ information technology (IT) activities. It manages Procedural Services’ 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.
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 advice and services to the House as an institution as well as to the Speaker, the BOIE, Members, committees, and the House Administration. Legal advisors specialize in different areas, including parliamentary, constitutional, labour, and contract law. They may also be involved in legal proceedings on behalf of the House of Commons and its Members to protect their parliamentary privileges.
Legislation Services
Legislation Services supports Members in preparing private Member’s bills and motions to amend government bills. It also ensures that government bills and private Member’s bills—and the amendments approved by the House or its committees—are correctly printed at every stage as they move through the legislative process.
Administrative Services
The Office of the Deputy Clerk, Administration, now 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 also 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.
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 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. Teams offer various types of services, including trades, building support, food and catering, mail processing and distribution, transportation, and printing.