Parliament of Canada Act

Marginal note:Parliamentary Poet Laureate

• 75.1 (1) There is hereby established the position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate, the holder of which is an officer of the Library of Parliament.

• Marginal note:Selection

  (2) The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons, acting together, shall select the Parliamentary Poet Laureate from a list of three names submitted in confidence by a committee chaired by the Parliamentary Librarian and also composed of the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, the Commissioner of Official Languages for Canada and the Chair of the Canada Council.

• Marginal note:Term

  (3) The Parliamentary Poet Laureate holds office for a term not exceeding two years, at the pleasure of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons acting together.

• Marginal note:Roles and responsibilities

  (4) The Parliamentary Poet Laureate may

  • (a) write poetry, especially for use in Parliament on occasions of state;

  • (b) sponsor poetry readings;

  • (c) give advice to the Parliamentary Librarian regarding the collection of the Library and acquisitions to enrich its cultural holdings; and

  • (d) perform such other related duties as are requested by either Speaker or the Parliamentary Librarian.