Role of a Parliamentary Secretary in Canada

By Susan Munroe

Job Vacancy Indonesia, Employee, Vacancy   

A parliamentary secretary in Canada is a member of parliament assigned to assist a cabinet minister. In some cases a parliamentary secretary may be assigned to assist the prime minister or several cabinet ministers.

Appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries

Parliamentary secretaries are appointed by the prime minister. Parliamentary secretaries work under the direction of a cabinet minister or ministers.

House Duties

One of the prime responsibilities of a parliamentary secretary is work in parliament.

• a parliamentary secretary provides a key link between a cabinet minister and parliament
• a parliamentary secretary works with House of Commons and Senate committees, shares department information with committees and acts as the minister's representative on political issues. A parliamentary secretary is also expected to bring the concerns of committee members to the minister, and in a broader sense to the government.
• a parliamentary secretary acts as a liaison between the cabinet minister and caucus
• a parliamentary secretary answers questions during Question Period in the absence of the minister.

Government Department Duties

A parliamentary secretary also has responsibilities in relation to a government department or an assigned policy area.

• a parliamentary secretary may be assigned specific policy-related duties either by the prime minister or by the cabinet minister. The cabinet minister maintains overall accountability and responsibility.
• a parliamentary secretary assists in liaison between parliamentary committees and the relevant government departments and agencies.
• a parliamentary secretary also helps caucus members in their liaison with relevant government departments.