Working life on the Hill
Members of Parliament (MPs) are the institution’s most public face. Supporting them are the skilled and dedicated employees of the House of Commons Administration (House Administration), who anticipate MPs’ needs and deliver personalized, streamlined, quality services.
As one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, the House Administration is committed to helping its employees realize their full potential. It offers them many opportunities for career development and advancement, and even opportunities for a career change if they would like to try something new in a different field. As the House of Commons supports a hybrid and flexible workforce, its employees have been able to work in a hybrid format since 2020. The hybrid work environment is a combination of remote and on-site work, meaning that some employees may work on-site on a full-time basis, while others may alternate between working on-site and from home.
The House Administration is made up of a number of service areas: Procedural Services; the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; Digital Services and Real Property; Parliamentary Precinct Operations; Finance Services; Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security; Office of the Deputy Clerk, Administration and Human Resources Services. Other services fall under the Office of the Clerk including Corporate Communications, Curatorial Services, the Press Gallery Secretariat and Audit and Improvement. These service areas draw on more than 2,400 employees and are accountable to the Clerk of the House of Commons, who in turn reports to the Speaker of the House.
Our photographers went out across the parliamentary precinct and beyond to capture some of our lesser known employees hard at work, demonstrating how they remain committed to providing exceptional services to MPs and their staff as they fulfill their responsibilities to Canadians.
Trades Services
The Trades Services team offers a variety of services, including:
- woodworking
- furniture refinishing
- heritage conservation
- restoration and repairs
- painting
- upholstering
- framing
- workstation modifications and installations
Transportation and Fleet Management Services
The Transportation and Fleet Management Services team offers shuttle bus services to MPs, their staff, and other members of the parliamentary precinct community.
The team also manages fleet operations and the vehicles assigned to House officials and political party leaders.
Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness
The Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness team oversees a comprehensive emergency preparedness program, which provides the framework for:
- responding to natural and life-threatening emergencies
- implementing emergency plans for building lockdowns and other processes
SourcePlus
The four multidisciplinary SourcePlus centres in the parliamentary precinct provide MPs and their staff with in-person support. The team is on hand to answer questions related to finance, HR, IT, and various House Administration operational services.
Maintenance and Material Handling Services
The Maintenance and Material Handling Services team provides round-the-clock services to MPs and their staff in the parliamentary precinct. This includes:
- office cleaning
- custodial services
- material handling
- room set-up for events
The team also operates the House of Commons’ main warehouse, where all goods bound for the parliamentary precinct are shipped, received and processed.
Interior Designers
The House of Commons’ Interior Designers are responsible for planning, designing and managing all aspects of their assigned interior design and/or building component plans.
They are responsible for providing strategic advice and recommendations on the House of Commons’ requirements and planning approaches.
Occupational Health and Safety and Environment
The Occupational Health, Safety and Environment team is involved in:
- design reviews for construction and renovation programs
- the support for workplace safety committees
- the development, implementation and delivery of programs, procedures and training
- the investigation of incidents, hazards and complaints
- industrial hygiene
- and much more
Parking Services
The Parking Services team is responsible for:
- issuing permits for parking spaces managed by the House of Commons
- enforcing the Government Property Traffic Regulations and related policies
- supporting security preparations for small and large-scale events on the Hill
- helping to ensure the safety of all participants and maintaining the institution’s overall security posture
Graphic Design and Prepress Officer
The Graphic Design and Prepress Officer is responsible for providing MPs, their staff and the House Administration with:
- creative design solutions, and new design solutions in line with the House of Commons directions and guidelines for MPs’ products
- advice and guidance on visual designs for specific projects and initiatives
Food Services
The Food Services team offers various hospitality services to MPs, their staff, House Administration employees, and visitors to the Hill. These services are provided through our Parliamentary Dining Room, our cafeterias, and our full-catering service. The team also offers at-home gourmet meals and various market items such as canapés, preserves, pastries, wine, and ready-set-bake meals.
Client Care Team
The Client Care Team provides a streamlined experience for MPs, their staff, and the House Administration. It brings various service centre teams together with the goal of providing a coordinated and comprehensive response to requests. Support is provided over the phone, by email and in person for questions about:
- IT
- finance
- parliamentary precinct access
- parking
- accreditation
- House Administration operational services
- and much more
Digital Media and Connected Systems
The Digital Media and Connected Systems team is responsible for maintaining digital services, including the parliamentary websites and the Parliamentary Television Network. The Audio-Visual Production Technician is part of a team of professionals whose primary function is to ensure the technical support and operation of a variety of equipment and systems used to deliver and produce multimedia services.
IT Ambassador
The IT Ambassador provides personalized and on-site IT and technical assistance to:
- MPs
- House Officers
- House Administration executives
Mailroom
Mail and delivery support is available to MPs and their staff on the Hill and includes:
- pick-up of mail and packages for internal and external distribution
- parcel wrapping
- messengers and private couriers
Printing and Mailing Services
The Printing and Mailing Services team offers various products and services to MPs for all their printed communications with Canadians. This includes validating the content of MPs’ printed materials, then planning, producing and mailing the materials.
Photography Services
Photography services are available to MPs for portraits or for events held in the parliamentary precinct. MPs have access to photos taken of them in the Chamber and at press conferences, ceremonies and receptions.
Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel
The Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel (OLCPC) provides in-house legal services to the Speaker, the Board of Internal Economy, committees of the House, MPs, the Clerk and the House Administration. The OLCPC also provides assistance to Members in drafting private Members’ bills and motions to amend government bills and private Members’ bills. The OLCPC is also responsible for the printing of government bills and private Members’ bills as they progress through the legislative process.