Speakers' Activities and Reports

The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons are fourth and fifth respectively on the Order of Precedence of Canada, with the first three being the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Thus, in addition to their traditional and ceremonial duties as the head of their respective institutions, the Speakers also perform their diplomatic duties in receiving visiting heads of state or heads of government to the Parliament of Canada. Both Speakers also interact on a regular basis with the diplomatic corps to maintain positive relations with parliaments around the world. The Speakers also travel abroad on behalf of the Canadian Parliament and serve as hosts to other foreign Speakers when they visit Canada. Finally, they are honorary chairs of all of the Parliamentary Associations of the Parliament of Canada.