Official Residences Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. O-4)

Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Official Residences Act.

Properties

Marginal note:Prime Minister’s residence

2 Notwithstanding anything in the Parliament of Canada Act, the lands described in Schedule I and the buildings thereon shall be maintained as a residence for the Prime Minister of Canada.

Marginal note:Leader of the Opposition’s residence

3 Notwithstanding anything in the Parliament of Canada Act, the lands described in Schedule II and the buildings thereon shall be maintained as a residence for the person holding the recognized position of Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, in this Act called “the Leader of the Opposition”.

Marginal note:Speaker of the House of Commons residence

4 Notwithstanding anything in the Parliament of Canada Act, the lands described in Schedule III and the buildings thereon shall be maintained as a residence for the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Marginal note:Leader of the Opposition’s summer residence

• 5 (1) The Governor in Council may, by order, allocate any lands in the National Capital Region, as described in the schedule to the National Capital Act, and the buildings thereon as a summer residence for the Leader of the Opposition.

• Marginal note:Tabling order

  (2) An order made by the Governor in Council under subsection (1) shall be laid before Parliament not later than the fifteenth sitting day of Parliament after it is made.

• Definition of sitting day of Parliament

  (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), sitting day of Parliament means a day on which either House of Parliament sits.

Marginal note:Furnishings, maintenance, etc.

6 The Minister of Public Works and Government Services shall furnish, maintain, heat and keep in repair the buildings on the lands described in the schedules or allocated pursuant to section 5, and the National Capital Commission shall maintain and, from time to time as required, improve those lands.

Staff

Marginal note:Staff of Prime Minister’s residence

• 7 (1) The Governor in Council may appoint a steward or housekeeper and such other employees as the Governor in Council deems necessary for the management of the Prime Minister’s residence, and may fix their rate of remuneration and conditions of employment.

• Marginal note:Casual employees

  (2) The steward or housekeeper may, from time to time, with the approval of the Prime Minister, engage casual employees to assist the regular staff appointed under subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Chauffeur

  (3) The Prime Minister’s chauffeur may be provided with lodging without charge.

Marginal note:Staff of Leader of the Opposition’s residence

8 The Leader of the Opposition may appoint a steward or housekeeper and not more than three other employees to manage the residence of the Leader of the Opposition.

Moneys Authorized and Appropriated

Marginal note:Authorized benefits received as expense allowance

9 For greater certainty, it is hereby declared that any benefit authorized by this Act and received by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or the Speaker of the House of Commons is received as a living expense allowance expressly fixed in this Act.

Marginal note:Uses of moneys appropriated

10 Moneys appropriated by Parliament for the operation of the Prime Minister’s residence may be used for the payment of the remuneration of persons employed under the authority of section 7, for the purchase of food and other supplies required for the serving of food, for cleaning, laundering, and the ordinary maintenance of a residence, and for defraying other costs of official hospitality provided by the Prime Minister.

Marginal note:Other uses of moneys appropriated

11 Moneys appropriated by Parliament for the operation of the House of Commons may be used for the payment of the remuneration of persons employed under the authority of section 8 and for defraying other expenses related to their employment.