The position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate was created in 2001 under the Parliament of Canada Act.
The Poet is selected by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons following an open nomination process. The Poet holds office for a term not exceeding two years and is an officer of the Library of Parliament, which is the steward of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate Program.
The Parliament of Canada Act specifies that the Poet may:
- write poetry, especially for use in Parliament;
- sponsor poetry readings;
- give advice to the Parliamentary Librarian on the Library’s collection and acquisitions to enrich its cultural holdings; and
- perform other related duties as requested by the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Commons, or the Parliamentary Librarian.
The Poet may also undertake additional activities or projects during their term that respect the parameters set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
More information on the position is available in the questions and answers below.
Questions and Answers
Why does Canada have a Parliamentary Poet Laureate?
The Parliamentary Poet Laureate position helps expand the understanding and appreciation for poetry in Canada. Many other countries also have poets laureate.
Who can become Parliamentary Poet Laureate?
Those selected to be poets laureate have made a significant contribution to Canada’s literary community through their poetry, which can be written or spoken poetry of any genre. We invite nominations of poets from all backgrounds and life experiences who are residents of Canada. Poets from any provinces or territories are welcome.
Must the Parliamentary Poet Laureate reside in the National Capital Region?
Poets can reside anywhere in Canada, but they must be available to participate in parliamentary events as required and be available to travel on occasion throughout Canada to promote the value of poetry. Travel costs are covered by the Library of Parliament.
How does one become the Parliamentary Poet Laureate?
Poets laureate must meet the eligibility and selection criteria. To ensure that Canada’s official languages are equitably represented, appointments to the position alternate between a poet who works primarily in English and a poet who works primarily in French. For the 2025–2026 term, the Poet will be expected to work primarily in English.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate. To be considered, nominations must be postmarked by 17 June 2024. Consult the nomination process page and the press release for more details.
How is the Parliamentary Poet Laureate selected?
The Canada Council for the Arts reviews each nomination and provides the selection committee members with an evaluation for their consideration and deliberation. The selection committee includes:
The selection committee submits a short list of three nominees to the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons, who make the final selection.
Must the Parliamentary Poet Laureate’s poetry be in both official languages?
The Poet may create works in either or both official languages. Other languages may also be integrated into their works. The Poet’s works are published on this website in both official languages. The Library of Parliament covers the costs of translation or adaptation.
Who owns the rights to the works created by the Parliamentary Poet Laureate?
The Poet retains ownership of copyright of the works created during their term. The Library of Parliament holds a licence to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the works created as part of the Poet’s roles and responsibilities.
Is the Parliamentary Poet Laureate compensated for their work?
The Poet receives an annual stipend of $20,000. A budget for travel, programming and administrative expenses is also made available.
To whom does the Parliamentary Poet Laureate report?
The Library of Parliament is the steward of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate Program and provides support to the Poet throughout their term.
While an officer of the Library of Parliament, the Poet is not an employee, and rather holds their office as an independent contractor of the Library.
What kind of programming support does the Parliamentary Poet Laureate receive?
As the steward of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate Program, the Library of Parliament provides programming support to the Poet. The Library:
- advises and guides the Poet in the implementation of activities, initiatives, or projects in the fulfillment of their term. As the Poet is an officer of the Library of Parliament, the Library also provides guidance to help ensure that the work undertaken during their term does not conflict with the Library’s approach towards impartiality (i.e., providing services without regard to political or institutional affiliation, opinions or beliefs) and inclusion (i.e., valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment);
- administers and manages the Program budget, including approving expenses;
- facilitates access to Library resources required by the Poet during their term.
Can the Parliamentary Poet Laureate choose what activities they will do during their term as Poet?
The Poet has broad discretion to determine the activities they will do in fulfilling their term, but they must carry out their duties in a non-partisan manner.
Explore the works of former poets laureate on our website.
Can the Parliamentary Poet Laureate pursue activities outside this role during their term as Poet?
The Poet may engage in other activities or occupations during their term as long as these do not conflict with or impair their ability to carry out their role as Poet Laureate.
