REPORT TO CANADIANS 2019 The Report to Canadians presents 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 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, 2018–March 31, 2019 Parliamentary session covered in this period: 1st session, 42nd Parliament (December 3, 2015–March 31, 2019) Total number of sitting days during this period: 116 House of Commons Administration 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: X9-27/2019E-PDF ISSN: 1716-8570 Photographs © House of Commons Message from the Speaker During the past year, improvements were made to the e-petitions system that has allowed hundreds of thousands of Canadians to participate more easily in their democracy through online petitions; measures were also put in place to allow Members to express themselves—and be understood—in Indigenous languages during House proceedings; and security was upgraded in constituency offices as well as on Parliament Hill. The “Members’ Snapshot” section provides information on the work of Members over the past year. “Highlights from the Hill” presents an overview of the events and activities that were part of the closing of Centre Block and the reopening of West Block. The “House of Commons Administration” section features the work carried out by the administrative body that As Speaker of the House of Commons and head of supports Members, and an overview of the House the House of Commons Administration, I am pleased Administration’s spending is provided in “Financial to present the Report to Canadians 2019, covering the Information” section at the end of this report. 2018–2019 fiscal year. In this annual report, you will learn more about the work carried out by your Members On behalf of all Members and the House Administration, of Parliament in the Chamber, in committees, in caucus, I want to thank you for taking the time to learn more in constituencies across Canada, and abroad. The about Members’ activities and the work that is done to report also provides information about how the House support them as they carry out their parliamentary duties. Administration supports the work of Members. During the 2018–2019 fiscal year, we reached some important milestones. Canadians saw the temporary closing of Centre Block and the reopening of West Block. These two events are of significance for all Canadians—we turned an important page in the history of our country’s heritage. In the House of Commons, Hon. Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P. we played an active role in the many stages that led Speaker of the House of Commons to the House’s historic move to its interim location in West Block. As you read this year’s report, you will find out more about the significant work that went into this move—a move that was also symbolic for us as an organization. The transition from Centre Block to West Block shows not only our commitment to the preservation of our heritage spaces, but also our desire to remain current and ready to meet the needs of a modern parliamentary democracy. House of Commons | Report to Canadians 3 Message from the Clerk This report covers a period when Centre Block was closed and the rehabilitated West Block was opened. The House’s historic move to its interim location involved a full range of activities and projects, including dry-run exercises in the new West Block Chamber. In January 2019, more than 600 employees gathered to test various components in the Chamber relating to broadcasting, lighting and acoustics to ensure that the space dedicated to the exercise of our parliamentary democracy was move-in ready. In 2018, the House Administration conducted an Employee Engagement Survey, which had a response rate of 71%. The results revealed that employees are highly engaged and enabled and that they are proud to work for the House Administration. March 31, 2019, marked the end of a strategic planning cycle. We have been busy in recent months In my role as Clerk of the House of Commons, I am developing a new plan and putting together a renewed responsible for the sound management of the House mission, vision and values statement. To set the stage Administration, whose role is to serve Members so for innovation and creativity, we have committed to they can more easily and effectively do their work. adopting new practices that will allow us to, among In the following pages, you will see that employees of other things, encourage risk taking and develop leaders the House Administration have carried out numerous at all levels. projects to support Members in their daily activities. The coming year is full of promise. I hope you will come In November 2018, the House Administration was back in twelve months to find out what is new within recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers our organization. In the meantime, I encourage you to for 2019. We had previously received awards as a learn more about what we have already accomplished Top Employer for Young People in Canada and a Top to provide Canada’s Members of Parliament with the Employer in the National Capital Region—awards we services, infrastructure and advice they need to fulfill won again in 2019—and this year, for the first time, the their roles as legislators and representatives. Administration was recognized as one of the Top 100 Employers in the country. Charles Robert Clerk of the House of Commons House of Commons | Report to Canadians 4 Table of Contents 6 Members’ Snapshot 10 Members’ Activities 22 Highlights from the Hill 29 House of Commons Administration 31 Reporting on Results Members’ Snapshot 6 Constituencies by province Each of Canada’s 338 constituencies (also called ridings or electoral districts) has a representative in the House of Commons. Each Member of Parliament keeps an office and employs staff in the constituency to connect with their constituents to discuss issues of concern, attend certain community events, and help them access federal programs and services. Members’ Snapshot Look up the address for your Member’s constituency office 428 Constituency offices Learn about current constituencies 2,013 Members’ employees 1 Northwest Territories 1 1 Nunavut Yukon 78 Quebec 14 Manitoba 7 Newfoundland and Labrador 42 British Columbia 34 Alberta 4 Prince Edward Island 121 14 Ontario Saskatchewan 10 New Brunswick 338 11 Constituencies Nova Scotia House of Commons | Report to Canadians 7 About Members of Parliament Members debate and vote on legislation in the Chamber, attend committee and caucus meetings, and perform a wide range of duties in their constituencies. They also represent Canada when travelling abroad on official business or when hosting foreign parliamentarians and officials. Members’ Snapshot Each year, Members of Parliament and their staff handle thousands of calls from constituents seeking access to federal government programs and services, including: 1. Employment insurance 3. Veterans' support immigration 2. Disability pensions 4. Passports and 5. Commemorative events Employment Disability Veterans’ Passports and Commemorative insurance pensions support immigration events For more than 150 years, Members of Parliament have upheld the principles and practices of Canadian democracy by representing the citizens who elect them. Today’s Parliament is the most diverse in our history, containing more women as well as more Members born outside Canada. 73% 27% Seats held by Members Seats held by men Seats held by women 12% born outside Canada Age of Members 27 53 78 Age of the youngest Member Average age of Members Age of the oldest Member House of Commons | Report to Canadians 8 137 MP staff members honoured for their long service Members of Parliament can count on their dedicated staff, who spare no effort in helping them carry out their parliamentary functions on the Hill and in their constituency offices. In May 2018, 137 MP staff members who achieved a significant service milestone were honoured during a ceremony and reception Members’ Snapshot hosted by the House of Commons Speaker. The ceremony was the first to be held following the revival of the Long Service Awards Program. The program recognizes employees as they reach one of the following milestones: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service. Caucuses Most Members of Parliament belong to a political party and are members of a caucus. Each caucus meets weekly when Parliament is in session to discuss policies and parliamentary strategy, to share feedback from their constituents, and to establish positions on issues being debated in the House of Commons. Held in private, caucus meetings allow Members to freely express their views. Learn more about the role of political parties in View the list of party leaders and House Officers Canada’s Parliament Seats held by each political party in the House of Commons (as of March 31, 2019) 179 97 41 Liberal Party of Canada Conservative Party of Canada New Democratic Party 10 5 1 Bloc Québécois Independent Members Green Party of Canada 1 1 3 Co-operative Commonwealth People’s Party of Canada Vacant Federation A party must have at least 12 seats to be recognized as a party in the House of Commons. Recognition means that the party has representation on committees as well as funding for research and staff.