House of Commons REPORT TO CANADIANS 2017 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 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, 2016–March 31, 2017 Parliamentary sessions covered in this period: 1st session, 42nd Parliament (December 3, 2015– March 31, 2017) Total number of sitting days during this period: 122 Information Service Toll-free (Canada): 1-866-599-4999 Parliament of Canada Telephone: 613-992-4793 Ottawa, Ontario TTY: 613-995-2266 K1A 0A9 [email protected] Catalogue Number: X9-27/2017E-PDF ISSN: 1716-8570 Photographs © House of Commons Table of Contents 2 Year in Review 5 Members’ Snapshot 9 Members’ Activities 20 House Administration 27 Result Highlights 39 Financial Information Year in Review 2 Message from the Speaker As Speaker of the House of Commons and head of the House of Commons Administration, I am pleased to present the Report to Canadians 2017, covering the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The Report to Canadians is an annual, non-partisan report that presents detailed information on the work of the Members of the House of Commons in the Chamber, in committees, in caucus, in constituencies, and in representing Canadians abroad. The report also describes the activities and initiatives undertaken by the House Administration in support of Members and the institution, as well as the mandate of the House Administration. Canadians are invited to consult the Members’ Snapshot for statistical information about Canada’s elected representatives in the 1st session of the 42nd Parliament. The Members’ Activities section details what Members have accomplished in the Chamber, in committees and on the world stage over the past year. The Result Highlights section contains information on the House Administration’s achievements, and expenditure details can be found in the Financial Information section. The Report to Canadians is an important component of the House Administration’s thorough planning and measurement framework. It is the second edition to report on the objectives that were established in the Strategic Plan 2016-2019, which was published at the outset of the 41st Parliament. Several ongoing projects will also continue to progress this year, including preparations for the opening of West Block and the closure of Centre Block. On behalf of all Members and the House Administration, I thank you for your interest in the House of Commons. I invite you to take some time to read the Report to Canadians and learn about the fine work that is accomplished every day as the House Administration works towards its vision of exercising leadership in supporting the House of Commons and its Members and in the advancement of parliamentary institutions. Hon. Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P. Speaker of the House of Commons House of Commons Report to Canadians 3 Message from the Clerk The Report to Canadians is a way for the House Administration to highlight its most recent achievements and to provide Canadians with information about its current activities. As Clerk of the House of Commons, I am responsible for ensuring the proper management of the House Administration. In this role, I chair the Clerk’s Management Group (CMG), which brings together representatives from all service areas of the House Administration. This experienced team works together to make recommendations to the Speaker and the Board of Internal Economy regarding strategic directions, priorities, human and financial resources, and policies governing the House Administration. This year we are very proud to have been named one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and a top employer for young people. These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to recruiting and retaining a qualified, engaged and productive workforce and highlight the progress we have made on this strategic priority. This has also been a year of change in many ways, not least for our buildings. The Wellington Building has officially been re-opened, and our work on the Sir John A. Macdonald Building has been completed. A number of projects designed to bridge the gap between Ottawa and constituency offices have also been launched; mobility has never been more important to our work. I encourage you to explore the Report to Canadians, which reports on our progress on key initiatives outlined in the Strategic Plan 2016-2019. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing Canada’s Members of Parliament with the services, infrastructure and advice they need to carry out their work as legislators and representatives in the Chamber, in committees, in caucus, and in their offices both on Parliament Hill and in their constituencies. Charles Robert Clerk of the House of Commons House of Commons Report to Canadians 4 Members’ Snapshot 5 Constituencies by Province Each of Canada’s 338 constituencies (also called ridings or electoral districts) elects a representative to the House of Commons—that constituency’s Member of Parliament. Each Member keeps an office and employs staff in his or her constituency to connect with the people there at any time—to discuss issues of concern, attend important community events, and help them access federal programs and services. Members typically spend one week a month in their ridings (and longer when the House is not sitting during the summer and winter adjournment periods). Look up the address for your Member’s constituency office Learn about current constituencies 1 1 Yukon Northwest Territories 1 Nunavut 34 78 14 Quebec 7 42 Alberta Manitoba British Newfoundland Columbia and Labrador 14 121 Saskatchewan Ontario 4 Prince Edward Island 10 338 New Brunswick Constituencies 11 Nova Scotia House of Commons Report to Canadians 6 What Members of Parliament Do For nearly 150 years, Members of Parliament have upheld the principles and practices of Canadian democracy, including representing the regional and local concerns of the citizens who elect them. Members consider and vote on legislation in the Chamber, attend committee and caucus meetings, and perform a wide range of duties in their constituencies across the country. They also represent Canada when travelling abroad on official business or when hosting foreign counterparts. Seats held by men 74% 12% Seats held Seats held by Members by women born outside of Canada 26% Age of Members Age of the youngest 25 Member Average age of Members 51 Age of the oldest 76 Member House of Commons Report to Canadians 7 Caucuses Most Members of Parliament belong to a political party and as such are members of their party’s parliamentary caucus. Each caucus meets weekly to discuss policies, plan parliamentary strategy and establish party positions on issues being debated in the House of Commons. Held in private, caucus meetings allow Members to express their views and opinions freely without compromising party unity. Learn more about the role of political parties in Canada’s Parliament View list of party leaders and House Officers 180 97 Liberal Party of Canada Conservative Party of Canada 44 10 New Democratic Party Bloc Québécois 1 1 Green Party of Canada Independent 5 Vacant As of March 31, 2017 A party must have at least 12 seats to be recognized as an official party in the House of Commons. Recognition means that the party has representation on committees as well as funding for research and staff. House of Commons Report to Canadians 8 Members’ Activities 9 In the Chamber The Chamber is where Members come together to debate issues of national importance, receive official documents presented by government departments and agencies, and debate and vote on potential new laws. All of these activities are presided over by the Speaker of the House (or one of the Chair occupants). Watch the video tour of the Chamber Learn more about the history, arts and architecture of the Chamber A typical week in the House Watch Chamber proceedings online at ParlVU From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, a total of 116 bills were introduced covering a wide range of topics. 31 Government bills introduced TOPICS INCLUDED: • Border services • Modifying corporate governance rules for • Copyrighted works for persons with perceptual companies, cooperatives, and not-for-profit disabilities corporations • Free trade agreement between Canada • Northern and Indigenous affairs and Ukraine • Pension benefits • Human trafficking • Updating laws deemed unconstitutional 85 Private Members’ bills introduced TOPICS INCLUDED: • Criminal Code and judicial system • National days, weeks and months • Economy • Parliament and democratic reform • Environment and animal protection • Taxation, revenue and finance • Health • Transportation • Human rights • Veterans, army and police forces House of Commons Report to Canadians 10 NOTABLE LEGISLATION One notable piece of legislation was Bill C-14, which proposed changes to the Criminal Code with regard to medical assistance in dying. As it moved through the legislative process, the Bill generated a great deal of national attention and debate. The Legislation Services team prepared numerous amendments on behalf of Members seeking to change the Bill (206 amendments prepared at the committee stage and 25 amendments at the report stage). The Bill received Royal Assent on June 17, 2016. 122 2,056 Documents tabled Sitting days Tabling a document is a formal way of presenting information and putting it on the official public record. A variety of documents must be tabled in the House by the government, including reports on studies conducted by government task forces and commissions, annual reports for 864 a number of federal institutions, corporate plans, performance Written questions reports, and other papers concerning matters related to the submitted administrative responsibilities of the government.