The Clerk of the House of Commons are filled through governor-in-council appointments, pursuant to the
Public Service Employment Act. In 2001, the House made a modification to the appointment process according to a recommendation contained in the First Report of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons. From then on, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs needs to conduct a review of the proposed appointee after the government makes the nomination. This committee then reports to the House of Commons, followed by a ratification vote by the House. This process was first applied when proposing the appointment of
Audrey O'Brien in 2005. As well as advising the
Speaker of the House of Commons and
Members of Parliament on matters of
parliamentary procedure, the Clerk is involved in the management of the House of Commons. The procedural responsibility of the Clerk is to maintain and keep custody of the House's proceedings and other important documents. Before each sitting of the House, the Clerk is required to provide the official agenda for the day’s proceedings to the Speaker. At the beginning of a Parliament, all duly elected Members and the Members appointed to the
Board of Internal Economy need to swear an oath of allegiance administered by the Clerk. With the aim of providing assistance to all Members regardless of party affiliation, the Clerk is expected to act with impartiality and discretion all the time. The
Clerk of the Senate fulfills a similar role in the
Senate of Canada. In the House of Commons Chamber, the Clerk’s Table is at the north end of the floor, in front of the Speaker’s Chair. The Clerk of the House of Commons sits at the head of the Table, with
Clerks-at-the-Table on either side. The dress code of the Clerk is to wear a black robe. == Incumbent ==