Report to Canadians 2014
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H���� �� C������ C������ ��� �������� CANADA House of Commons Report to Canadians 2014 The Report to Canadians is updated every year to present highlights of the work undertaken by Canada’s Members of Parliament and the efforts of the House of Commons Administration in supporting Members’ daily activities. By opening a window into the workings of the House of Commons and increasing the public’s understanding of Canada’s parliamentary system, the Report to Canadians contributes to the transparent public governance expected by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Period of this report: April 1, 2013–March 31, 2014 Parliamentary sessions covered in this period: 1st session, 41st Parliament (June 2, 2011–September 13, 2013); 2nd session, 41st Parliament (October 16, 2013–Present) Total number of sitting days during this period: 106 Information Services Parliament of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A9 [email protected] Toll-free (Canada): 1-866-599-4999 Telephone: 613-992-4793 TTY: 613-995-2266 Catalogue Number: X9-27/2014E-PDF ISSN: 1716-8570 Photographs © House of Commons Table of Contents 2 Year in Review 5 Members’ Snapshot 8 Members’ Activities 16 Overview of the House 21 Performance Review 26 Financial Review Year in Review 2 Report to Canadians 2014 Message from the Speaker As Speaker of the House of The House of Commons strives to be as open and transparent Commons, I am proud to present as possible in everything it does. In 2013–2014, the Board of the Report to Canadians 2014. Internal Economy implemented a number of measures to provide Canadians with more information about its role and This report provides highlights Members’ expenditures. In particular, the Board published the of the work done by Members minutes of the meetings it held during the 41st Parliament to of Parliament and their major ensure easier access to this information, which was previously accomplishments during the only tabled in the House. In October 2013, the Board also 2013–2014 fiscal year. It also announced that more details will be disclosed when reporting focuses on the role the House on Members’ expenses. The reports will also be published more Administration plays in frequently, moving to a quarterly cycle starting in 2014–2015. As supporting the daily activities part of these efforts, the Board also made available to the public of Members and the institution. the Members’ Allowances and Services Manual and the Public It is truly an honour for me to Registry of Designated Travellers. carry out the role of Speaker, which involves ensuring the orderly In 2012, the Board of Internal Economy set a goal to reduce House flow of business in the House and making sure parliamentary spending by 6.9% by 2014–2015. I am pleased to report that rules and traditions are observed. In addition to presiding over Members and the House Administration have met our cost- House proceedings, I also chair the Board of Internal Economy, reduction targets for 2013–2014 and are well on the way to which is responsible for establishing and implementing the achieving the $30.3 million overall budget reduction next year. by-laws, policies and guidelines that govern the use of the funds, This active stewardship reflects our ongoing commitment to carry goods, services and premises made available to Members and out our work in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. House Officers to carry out their parliamentary functions. The House Administration, meanwhile, is preparing to meet the The Report to Canadians is updated annually and is a challenges that 2014–2015 will bring, including getting ready to companion piece to the Strategic Outlook, a document that the welcome the 30 additional Members who will join Parliament House Administration is tasked with preparing at the beginning in 2015. of each Parliament. Tabled in September 2012, the Strategic Outlook for the 41st Parliament presents the plans and priorities On behalf of all Members and the House Administration, we have established to meet our core strategic objectives. 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 For Canadians, this report is also a window into the inner continue to serve Canadians well and ensure the sound workings of the House of Commons, the duties of Members management of this important institution. 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, Andrew Scheer, M.P. while the Members’ Activities section highlights how Members Speaker of the House of Commons 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. Report to Canadians 2014 3 Message from the Clerk The Report to Canadians aims Over the past year, the House Administration implemented to help Canadians learn more a number of initiatives including the publication of a about the daily work and comprehensive procedural reference document containing achievements of the House the rulings and decisions of former Speaker Peter Milliken— of Commons. a major undertaking of which the Administration is very proud. The Administration also provided significant support with As Clerk of the House of regard to the enhanced disclosure measures announced by the Commons, my role includes Board of Internal Economy in addition to making considerable advising the Speaker and headway on a number of ongoing, large-scale projects. Members of Parliament on the interpretation of parliamentary I encourage you to pay particular attention to the Performance rules, precedents and practices Review section of this report, which provides relevant information in a discreet and impartial on the House Administration’s activities and describes the major manner. In addition to my duties projects that were undertaken to meet the strategic objectives set in the Chamber, I oversee the out in the Strategic Outlook for the 41st Parliament. management of the House Administration. I am supported I feel honoured and privileged to be part of such a dedicated in this task by the Clerk’s Management Group (CMG), which team as the House Administration. I am extremely proud to is made up of representatives of all service areas of the House present to you this report, which provides a glimpse into the of Commons. This experienced team—with its expertise in the work that was done over the last year to support Canada’s areas of parliamentary procedure, information technology, Members of Parliament. security, facilities, human resources, finance, and law—is responsible for making recommendations to the Speaker and the Board of Internal Economy regarding the House Administration. Audrey O’Brien Clerk of the House of Commons CMG members, House Administration employees and I are proud to serve the Parliament of Canada. We are all committed to a common set of values, which motivates us to provide Members with quality advice and services. Those values include professional excellence, respect for the democratic process and a commitment to balancing continuity and change. 4 Report to Canadians 2014 Members’ Snapshot (as of March 31, 2014) Report to Canadians 2014 5 308 5 41 Constituencies Members elected Seats held by in by-elections in Members born 2013–2014 outside of Canada Education Constituencies n Ontario (34.4%) n Quebec (24.4%) n Members with high school education n British Columbia and/or vocational (11.7%) training (3.6%) n Alberta (9.1%) n Members with n Saskatchewan (4.5%) college education (9.8%) n Manitoba (4.5%) n Members with n Nova Scotia (3.6%) university New Brunswick (3.2%) education (78.4%) n n Newfoundland and n Information Labrador (2.3%) not available (8.2%) n Prince Edward Island (1.3%) n Yukon (0.3%) n Northwest Territories (0.3%) n Nunavut (0.3%) 6 Report to Canadians 2014 Age of Members* 98 71 83 27 13 *Age information unavailable for 13 Members. Members Members Members Members Members aged 20–29 aged 30–39 aged 40–49 aged 50–59 aged 60+ 76 52 229 22 Seats held by men (75.1%) 76 Age of the Average age Age of the youngest of Members oldest Member Member Seats held by women (24.9%) Members by Political Party (as of March 31, 2014) 161 99 36 4 2 2 1 3 Conservative New Liberal Bloc Green* Independent Independent Vacant Democratic Québécois* Conservative 308 Total * Does not hold official party status. A political party must have at least 12 members in the House of Commons to be considered a ‘recognized party’. Report to Canadians 2014 7 Members’ Activities 8 Report to Canadians 2014 In the Chamber Last year, legislation was introduced on topics such as enhancing employment opportunities for veterans, implementing a free trade agreement with Honduras, and reducing the number of counterfeit goods sold to consumers and businesses. Topics included: • Devolution of power to the • Cyberbullying and other offences Northwest Territories committed online • Governance of election of • Priority hiring of Canadian Forces First Nations chiefs and councillors members and veterans 37 • Canada’s election laws • Agreements on free trade and Government bills • Safety and transparency of offshore environmental and labour introduced petroleum activities cooperation with the Republic • Prosecution and registration of of Honduras child sex offenders • Plant breeders’ rights and