Parliamentary Officers' Study Program
In summary
The Parliamentary Officers’ Study Program provides senior parliamentary staff from foreign legislatures and other Canadian jurisdictions an opportunity to learn about the functioning of the Canadian Parliament and, in turn, to reflect on their own practices. The program is offered over the course of five working days and is comprised of presentations, question and answer periods, site visits, as well as opportunities for networking.
Topics include
- Chamber Procedures
- Financial Systems
- Human Resources
- Information Management and Technology
- Legal and Legislative Services
- Research and Analysis
- Inner Workings of the Committees Directorates
- Canadian Political System
- Strategic Planning
- Committees Broadcasting
- Officers of Parliament
Meetings with
- Speaker of the Senate
- Speaker of the House of Commons
- Clerk of the Senate
- Clerk of the House of Commons
- Parliamentary Librarian
- Senior Canadian Parliamentary Officials
Language requirements
The program is conducted in either English or French and all participants must be fully versed in the language of the particular program being offered as interpretation is not provided.
Financial arrangements
The practice is that the guest legislature assumes the cost of airfare for its participant and living expenses while in Ottawa. The Canadian Parliament assumes the cost of hotel accommodation and other costs associated with the program itself, including some hospitality. Please note that the program is held Monday to Friday, approximately from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and all evenings are free.
Applying for the program
All requests to participate in the program must come directly from the Clerk/Secretary General of the guest legislature and be addressed to the Clerk of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Commons of Canada. All requests are considered and those legislatures chosen to send a participant receive a formal letter of invitation. The program can accommodate a limited number of participants, with only one participant from each legislature permitted to attend per session.
Additional information
International and Interparliamentary Affairs
P.O. Box 742, Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Tel.: 1-613-943-5959
Fax: 1-613-992-3674
E-mail: posp@parl.gc.ca