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 Chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts.

• 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.